2010 HSEAuto
As said before ,still learning after 4 months.
Car is fitted with a K&N air filter.
Took top lid off to check. To me filter looks like a standard filter with oil on it.
As no experience of this type of filter is that what it looks like?
Have googled K&N ,read lots, but just don,t know.
On previous zDisco,s I changed all filters yearly regardless of miles.
Filter box looks standard to me.
Question is, could I just take out the current filter, clean inside box and replace with standard filter.
Current filter looks clean. Just my thoughts. Jim A
Fl2 HSE 2010 auto
Disco 2Td5 auto 2002 gone
Disci 1 300Tdi auto 1996 gone

Jim, The K&N filter is a lifetime filter and can be cleaned and reused over and over. The main part of the filter should look a pinky red colour as opposed to a standard filter which is normally yellow. It should be good for around 50,000mls before needing cleaned under normal use. K&N do a kit to clean the filter which consists of a cleaning spray and new oil. K&N claim a performance improvement and improved filtration and they are used extensively by the go faster brigade! If it looks clean then I would just clean the filter box and refit it. If you are going down the route of a standard filter then don`t bin the K&N as there is probably some one on here who will want it for a few £`s! as I think a new one is about £50 or so!

Had one on my Discovery 2, didn't notice any perceptible difference. Cleaned it occasionally with petrol and re oiled it. Landrover - turning owners into mechanics since 1948

2014 Orkney grey Freelander SD4 GS.
2004 Zambezi silver Discovery 2 Td5 (Gone)
1963 Surf blue Morris Mini Minor Super de Luxe (my little toy)

Take it out & put a genuine LR filter in, change it every 12,000 miles job done same goes when you change your fuel filter make sure it’s a genuine LR filter but it’s every 36,000 miles.

I did read somewhere that they can lead to premature failure of the maf sensor but I'd no issues. Landrover - turning owners into mechanics since 1948

2014 Orkney grey Freelander SD4 GS.
2004 Zambezi silver Discovery 2 Td5 (Gone)
1963 Surf blue Morris Mini Minor Super de Luxe (my little toy)

It has been said that the oil in the K&N filter can lead to failure of the hot wire in the MAF, especially if the re-oiling of the filter has been over zealous, I imagine.

In a diesel Freelander the K&N offers no benefit - just the hassle of cleaning it and re-oiling.

An OEM quality filter by the likes of Mahle etc is just as good as a branded JLR one and inexpensive enough to make them a no-brainer in my book. Jules

Fitted a K&N air filter when I bought mine seven years ago. Cleaned & re-oiled it for the first time just a couple of months ago. Have had no issues whatsoever with the MAF sensor in that time. I have pulled the sensor out to check when having turbo issues & it wasn’t even dirty. (Now Sold). 2008 Freelander 2 (Nazca Sand) SE TD4 Auto. Statutory write off & on WOVR for hail damage but still road legal.
171037Km as of 09/05/22
Superchips Bluefin Flash
Nanocom Evo II (also sold)

In addition to potential oil issues...

K&N are great filters. They are designed for increased air flow to enhance performance, and they tend to be very good for that.

But they simply don't filter as well as a quality paper filter. My brother-in-law (ex mechanic, now mechanical engineer) uses K&N on his 'Vette for the track, but paper for daily driving.

If you compare used oil samples, you'll probably see a lot more silicates in the oil with a K&N air filter, easy enough to see for yourself.

I would certainly be cautious of K&N if you drive in a dusty/sandy environment.

Thanks for all the various answers.
Both for and against are interesting.
Quite open minded. No experience at all about K&N filters.
As I said above always changed paper filters yearly.
checked the MAF and it was spotless. Gave a clean with MAF spray.
Can only keep an eye on it..
Shows the expertise available on this forum.
Thanks again to everybody Jim A
Fl2 HSE 2010 auto
Disco 2Td5 auto 2002 gone
Disci 1 300Tdi auto 1996 gone

I use a K & N. Just don't over oil it. What I do, when I clean and oil mine, I put in a paper filter temporarily for a few days, 2 to 3 days. No MAF issues.