I dropped in the filter, drove for 5 minutes, and suddenly smell something that seems to be burnt rubber. Took the filter out to examine it and saw some craters on the edges. I spoke with a K&N rep and they said they've never seen anything like it. They're sending me a new filter now. Figure I'd post this up here and see if anyone has experienced anything like it. I did search a few forums and notice issues with K&N filters being too oiled up. When I bought my package, the rubber edges were a little oiled, not sure if that might have been the issue. Who knows.

 

I think those craters are normal imperfection of the rubber, I got the same filter, and when I bought it, it has craters around it but I wiped the extra oils before I installed it. Mine woks perfectly fine.

 

^^same here. I don't think the filter was causing the smell.

 

Yea I think the holes are normal... You should let the filter air dry for a day before you install it, due to the excesive oiling K&N does, plus your MAF wont get all screwy from being wet