There is a lot of discussion on this and other forums about the worth of life time air filters when compared to OEM air filters. Most of the time the discussion is about which type filter allows the engine to breath the best while offering the most protection from mini particles of dust. It is a general given that the better an engine breathes the better the performance will be and the better the air filter deters the mini particles of dust, the longer the engine will last. It is, also, generally a given that the best performance of an engine's potential cannot be obtained while at the same time using a filter tight enough to give maximum protection from these mini dust particles. Hence, many contend that the better breathing life time filter, down stream of which some have witnessed dust in the airway when using them, must be detrimental to an engine's longevity because that dust must be harmful to the engine. This is a very rational contention and makes a lot of sense even to a dummy like me.
However, this is what I want to see discussed. I want to see if it can be determined at just what point does dust down stream from the air filter causes real damage to an engine. Dust in this case should be described as something not having a grainy feel to it when touched by a hand.
FWIW, it is my practice to filter my intake air with life time type filters. The results have been good. My interest in this subject is based on over fifty years of driving, riding, using, and working a variety of vehicles that at times for whatever reason did not have the intake air properly filtered and some of those times not filtered at all. Nothing bad of which I am aware resulted from these times of neglect. I hope that some of the members here share my interest and will offer their comments.
George
However, this is what I want to see discussed. I want to see if it can be determined at just what point does dust down stream from the air filter causes real damage to an engine. Dust in this case should be described as something not having a grainy feel to it when touched by a hand.
FWIW, it is my practice to filter my intake air with life time type filters. The results have been good. My interest in this subject is based on over fifty years of driving, riding, using, and working a variety of vehicles that at times for whatever reason did not have the intake air properly filtered and some of those times not filtered at all. Nothing bad of which I am aware resulted from these times of neglect. I hope that some of the members here share my interest and will offer their comments.
George