Originally Posted By: thomasew
If you do get a small perforation in the media, how much harm can this be? The oil filters from the outer edge in, correct? Therefore, only the oil that gets through the tear is unfiltered, correct? The next time the same oil circulates through the filter it will probably get filtered. If so, I don't see what the big hoopla is over this, it is probably only a small amount we are talking about anyway. I am not saying that it is OK that the media tears and holes get in it, and it should be ignored, but just trying to understand how much harm may actually be done, if any.
The thing is, you're asking this question on an "enthusiast" forum. The kind of people who smell their filters before installing them. The ones that hoard oil in the garages, and also read all the tech specs from the MFR's website. They will know the difference between oil classes and certifications. The average person will not. They will lie awake awake at night knowing their Purolator is at 4962 miles and may be tearing soon to cause microscopic amounts of engine wear that would otherwise go unnoticed. The average person will not.
So to answer your question, yes it's bad. Will anything happen to your engine? Nope.