There has recently been a group of Redline owners that noticed there is a flaw in the design of the K&N Typhoon system for the 2004-2007 Ion Redline. Not only does the intake cause SES codes (p0068, p0171, p1182). But also, the filter is located directly underneath the drain channel for the hood, located on the drives side of the engine compartment. Here is a pic:


PLEASE BE ADVISED! K&N states that during rainy/excessive wet conditions, convert your intake to stock configuration or to the K&N Short Ram Intake. If you have the K&N Typhoon intake system, and think that they need to change their design...please e-mail them at:
tech@knfilters.com
I have included a copy of the e-mail that I sent today:
TO:tech@knfilters.com
FROM:xxxxxxxxxxx@hotmail.com
SUBJECT:K&N Typhoon for 2004-2006 Saturn Ion Redline---POSSIBLE PROBLEM...

Dear K&N Filters:
First off I would like to thank you guys for offering such a great product for our small community of car enthusiasts. My name is Mike, and I own a 2005 Saturn-Ion Redline, and I am a very loyal K&N Filter customer. I purchased a K&N Typhoon, with included DryCharger, intake from your company, about 6 months ago. I love the extra power that it adds to our car, it gives it some kick! I also, on my previous vehicle, purchaed your K&N Cold Air Intake (CAI) for the 1998-2001 Chevy S-10, and loved the extra power. I will never buy another filter again!
As a loyal consumer, I felt compelled to notify you guys of some problems that I have been having with your K&N Typhoon CAI system. For the first 3 months I had no problems from your filter, at all. After 3 months, the problems began. Since the hot weather has come around to Orange County (CA), I have been getting a Service Engine Soon (SES) Light coming on in my car every time I use the Air Conditioning, while sitting at idle. The corresponding SES codes are as follows:
P0068--Throttle Body Airflow Performance ECM
P0171--Fuel Trim System Lean ECM
P1182--Supercharger Inlet Pressure Sensor Performance ECM
I have been to my dealer many times to have the engine checked for damages, and had the SES codes cleared. The good news is that there are no problems or damages to engine, and the sensors related to the SES codes, so far.
One thing I have also noticed, is that the filter has a tendancy to collect moisture in the bottom "U" portion of the intake. I did not notice this until one day my neighbor left his sprinklers on for too long, and they sprayed all over my car. While I was performing routine maintence, that same day, I was noticing that the filter is located directly under a drain channel for the hood, on the driver's side of the car. I looked closer and I noticed that water drains/trickles off the channel and, directly on to the DryCharger. Upon noticing this I took the opportunity to inspect further. Upon further inspection, after taking apart the Typhoon, I noticed that there was a small amount of water pooled up in the lower connection portion. The DryCharger did a good job of repeling most of the water, all 50 gallons worth of irrigation, but there was still a noticable amount of water in the lower "U" portion of the CAI. I dried out the rubber connector, and re-installed the CAI, according to the instructions that were provided along with the kit.
I am not a certified mechanic, and cannot make any conclusions as to the sources of either problem I described. But, I do not believe that the two problems are related, in any way. I have not decided whether or not to return the car's intake system to stock configuration, but I would like your input on the best course of action (i.e. another configuration, or moving/bending piping). I will be following up with you guys once I have acces to a Digital Camera, at that time I will provide a few detailed photos. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at any of the following:
Email: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Personal Email (night): xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Phone: xxxxxxxxxx
I prefer to be contacted during the daytime at the xxxxxxxx e-mail address. Once again I would like to thank you for offering a great product for our car community.
Your loyal customer,
Mike
******END MESSAGE******
Here is the response I got:
TO: xxxxxxxxxxx@hotmail.com
FROM:LeonCo@knfilters.com
SUBJECT:RE: K&N Typhoon for 2004-2005 Saturn Ion Redline---POSSIBLE PROBLEM...
Hello,

Thank you for your interest in K&N products. You may want to
disconnect your negative battery cable for one full hour. After
reconnecting it will take about 100 combined driving miles for the
computer to relearn for the increased air flow.

We have never had any issues with water entering the intake
tube. If you could e-mail pictures that may assist us.


Thank you,
Leon S. Collins
K&N Technical Support
1-800-858-3333

The statement above is intended solely for the person(s) to whom it is
addressed and is not to be publicized, republished, copied or repeated
unless done so in its entirety. If you are not a named recipient, you
are also on notice of its status. Please notify the sender immediately
by reply e-mail and then delete this message from your system. You must
not disclose it to any other person, copy or distribute it or use it for
any purpose.
******END MESSAGE******
So if you have this same problem, please contact:
tech@knfilters.com

Hope this helps!
-Mike

 

Thats just for Redlines right ? I have one on my SS and i have never got on of those codes. By reading this i asssume your filter was getting wet besides the CEL did u notice a change in performance with the car ?

 

yea this is only for the Ion Redline. The SES codes are not related to the water issue, they just happen to us RL owners, ALOT, if you have a k&n. I did notice a change in performance, as far as the car revs quicker, and pulls harder through the mid RPM range. I doubt, HIGLY, that the intake makes any extra HP, if anything it pulls timing due to the sensors reading different.

 

OOPS!

 

i never threw a code on my RL in 20k miles...weird