Originally Posted By: boxcartommie22
there is not an increase in wear! this is a old wives tale!! if there were small particles that pass, they would be so small below bearing clearance..k&n filters 96%-99%..everybody is an expert..lol..zako is spot on...and no i don't work for k&n..
Nothing I stated was incorrect or out of context, in the real world variety of end-user experiences with any product. I put it in real terms and didn't state anything definitive other than the possibility.
Definitively, there are quite a few UOA on this website alone that show silicon entry while using a K&N and the drop off after switching filters.
However, how can we know if it's the filter or not something else?
If it makes you feel better about using them that's sorta funny. If you don't have issues with contaminant entry then those with this problem of entry very rightly have every reason to suspect everything from the filter itself to post filtration and all other points of entry. K&N or not.
There is no wives tell. It's completely app and conditions dependent as well as all of the other unscientifically calculated variables which no one here will pursue to prove K&N is good or bad, because it's all relative and I don't see anyone out here to go after them. They do make good products. It's a tool like any other, some times it doesn't work as well as another tool does for another end-user relative to their app's needs.
In ideal conditions a K&N won't pass more than what isn't present to be passed and/or by nature of the app isn't putting anything at risk by use.
It's like me claiming 0w-20 oil will cause your engine to wear out more alone, that's out of context. A lot of reasonable folks may step up a grade at least if driving the same stop 'n go app 125 MPH for 2 hours on the autobahn.
I will give K&N this, if they believe washing 'too frequently' could reduce filtration then just tell folks to stop buying the recharge/cleaning kit unless it's dirty enough like they use as reference to 'when to clean':
http://www.knfilters.com/cleaning-pics.htm
ADDED: I'd probably not be as concerned with using a K&N cone filter, I'm talking about drop-in replacements. Again, my preference is indeed on the lines of 'best' filtration possible with still the least amount of added restriction in comparison to a stock paper filter's filtration/flow.