It's a Team's Life

Onan Air Filters

When one thinks of K&N Filters one usually is thinking of the racing industry. That is where K&N got their start, but they have developed what is referred to as the best filtration on the market. Almost every market that has an engine that breathes, K&N has an air filter. They have developed fuel and oil filters for some applications that include our Onan generator. The Onan is probably the most used generator in the RV industry and has been used on trucks, usually with a custom sleeper, that have a different power need than the typical APU can provide.

A little history on K&N, from their web site. "K&N was founded in Riverside, California in the early 1960's by Ken Johnson and Norm McDonald. Ken and Norm (K&N) sold motorcycles and motorcycle parts and supported a large K&N factory race team. This racing experience identified a need for better performing air filters. In 1969, K&N invented the reusable high flow cotton air filter. K&N air filters demonstrated great performance and durability, and manufacturing these air filters soon became the primary focus of the company. The company grew steadily and expanded product lines. In the late 1980's K&N invented the concept of a bolt-on performance air intake kit to replace the factory air box and air filter. K&N also released a line of innovative Wrench-Off oil filters. K&N has continued to develop and improve these products and produces air filters and related products for cars, trucks, SUV's, motorcycles, ATV's, UTV's, snowmobiles, boats, watercraft, heavy-duty class 6-8 trucks, agricultural and earth-moving equipment, outdoor power equipment, and other applications. K&N has maintained very active involvement in racing and motorsports throughout its history, and has supplied championship-winning teams in most forms of motorsport. This racing heritage and involvement helps to develop better products for all types of vehicles and engines."

After a conversation with the folks in the K&N booth at MATS In Louisville this year I decided to begin using K&N filters on my Onan generator. They haven't developed a filter for the Cascadia yet, maybe some day. Until then we will work with filters on the Onan. The idea is to have better filtration at a lower cost. The K&N air filter is somewhat higher in cost than the standard Wix or Fram filters, however the K&N has been proven to clean the air better and allow the engine to operate more efficiently. That will save you money in the long run, but that's not the only benefit of using a K&N filter.

K&N filters are designed to be cleaned and reused. That can save you loads of cash throughout the life of the generator. Being a mechanic for many years and now a business owner, I can see the value in using K&N filters on everything I own. Years ago Linda and I raced Honda Odyssey's, we ran in the stock class and one of the few things the rules allowed was replacing the stock air filter with an aftermarket one, we used K&N as it was the proven choice for all classes. We did quite well using the K&N and saved unknown amounts of money by cleaning the filters instead of replacing them. Knowing that you will not throw them away, you can feel good also knowing you are helping the environment by not adding to our landfill problems.

Here is what I found out about price comparisons. The Wix air filter for the Onan (49697) is $21.99 from O'Reilly Auto Parts and the oil filter (51344) is $12.99 each. I change oil on our Onan at about 250 hours that is an average of about six weeks between changes. That is 8 or 9 changes per year, changing both filters each change costs $34.98 plus tax and oil. Annual cost if nine changes are done $314.82 plus tax and oil. Using the K&N air and oil filters would, first change cost (K&N E-4551 air filter) $41.99 plus (K&N oil filter HP8032) $11.12 plus tax and oil of $53.11. All changes after the first would be $11.12 (oil filter) plus tax and oil. One would need to purchase the air filter cleaner made by K&N at $8.44, this will last probably last
thru seven changes. So the annual cost would be, using K&N filters and cleaner, nine changes and we will purchase two bottles of cleaner to be fair plus tax and oil $158.95. We just saved $155.87 for a year of filter changes on the Onan generator.

Using Mobil Delvac 1300 15/40 ($10.97 per gallon or $3.67 per quart at Walmart) three quarts per change is $98.73 for annual oil costs (buying 1 gallon per change). That figures we still saved money buying K&N filters, cleaner and the oil somewhere around $57. I think that would pay the tax and then some, I'm good with that.

The nice thing about the new K&N filters is you don't use special oil on them anymore. That makes cleaning the filter easier. I will say it will take a little more time for the complete oil change, as you will need to wash and dry the air filter. I figure I can remove, clean and start drying the filter before I start working on the oil and its filter. Did I mention the K&N oil filters have a nut on the end so they are easy to remove. No more trying to locate the strap filter wrench when needed.