Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
Originally Posted By: TackleBox
While they may let fine particulates thru, I can say from my own personal experience that I have driven nearly a million miles on K&N air filters and have never experienced a single problem. Some of them went 180,000 miles on an individual vehicle with no issues. The rest of the vehicle wore out before any engine issues. There are far more important things to focus on that will have greater impact on longevity, in my opinion.
I don't doubt the claims and tests showing more fines get thru, I just have not experienced any ill effects from the fines.
Plus there is an Eco side to putting more regular air filters in the landfills.
Just my .02
1) You might not be so sanguine if you lived in a more dusty place.
2) Most people replace their regular air filters way, WAY to often. Read some of the posts here about air filter restriction gauges (FilterMinder, etc.). Many of us have doubled or tripled the factory FCI by replacing the filter when the restriction gauge indicates it's sufficiently loaded to replace.
3) The air filter is the primary source of contaminants inside the engine. How can that not be at, or near, the top of the list in considering things to do for engine longevity. Your anecdotal claims nothwithstanding.
4) But anyway all you are saying is something like a lucky smoker with particularly good genes says, "Heck, I've smoked for 60 years and I'm still alive." All that says is you are lucky, not wise
1) Apparently you assumed all those miles were in my current locale. Not the case at all. Nearly half were in Phoenix and a good deal spent off road.
2) I concur with this statement and would add K&N to the list of filters changed/cleaned way too frequently.
3) OCI, oil quality, oil filter quality, oil levels, initial cold weather warm ups, driving habits, type of miles, quality gas, etc. are all on my list prior to whether or not a K&N or a paper filter is better.
4) Hardly lucky, I just have not seen the data to support yours and others anecdotal assertions, nor have I, or anyone I have known experienced an engine failure which could be definitively blamed on the choice of air filter.
5) if you have the data or can reference the data, please share, I truly would be interested an open to change.