Secondary Air Filter?
What's up with this??????? Why is it in there??? and why isn't it replaceable????
I have a early 2007 stock 2wd Toyota FJ Cruiser 4.0L. I don't do any off roading. We live in the country and it see's mostly hwy 55-60mph driving or less. I'm trying to lower the silicon level. In Dec of 2010 it was 56ppm(moderate), so I changed the oil and filter, installed a bypass system, replaced the K&N element w/Amsoil EaA238 element. Now, a yr later(2 wks ago),Dec of 2011, oil analysis shows silicon at 70ppm(moderate). I went looking for induction leaks again and determined there still aren't any.
The photos below shows the stock factory non-removable secondary filter. It is located just downstream from the replaceable filter element.
I think the non-replaceable downstream element is slowly disintegrating, thus sending debris into the engine, and showing up as silicon on my oil analysis, so I have removed it. I have installed a new Fram air filter element, and changed the oil and filter. I'm good to go for another 10-12 mths, 15-18k miles, at which point I'll do another oil analysis to see if any of this has helped.
What are your thoughts on removing this secondary element? Please don't post if all's your gonna tell me is to change my oil more often.
Thanks
Don B