What it average life expectancy of an air filter ?

[FalcoColumbarius]

Been looking into the K&N air filter issue as there has been a big deal made out of it. Over the past year I have heard things such as:

• "FYI if you are taking your Delica bush we don't recommend K&N filters as they are designed from racing applications and despite the oiling they do
  Let more **** into your engine than an OEM or OEM equivalent filter. Just something to think about."

Also heard one person remark that driving through a desert with a K&N filter led to an engine rebuild.

In the case of racing applications ~ many of those race car engines are designed for one race, then get rebuilt. I don't think the Miss Lil' Bitchi will be seeing a K&N element any time soon. Use an OEM one is my opinion.

Falco.

P.S.: In 2010 we had those forest fires in BC and although I spent very little time on dirt roads that year, hardly left Vancouver, I went through four air filters (I blow mine out every-so-often, too) due to the massive amount of soot and ash drifting into the GVRD. My point being that you don't have to be off road to find dust. FC

[jessef]

The K&N filter allows the engine to breath a little better than the stock paper filter, especially around town and in wet conditions. Combined with the higher boost, fuel and larger exhaust, the power gain was great. In dusty conditions, read the 1st page. given the variety of conditions we have, like Falco, I would stick with the stock filter and carry a spare if roaming in dusty conditions.

but we went off topic comparing the filter elements

paper filter life depends on many things. you could compare it's life to most 4cyl vehicles.

[FalcoColumbarius]

Having no filter allows the engine to breath even better still. But you are right, we are drifting off topic.

Depending on circumstances, as a mean average I generally will change my filter element twice a year driving around town/highway. FSRs and I might be going to three. One could use one filter element per year but one must remember that the dirtier the element gets, the less efficient your engine becomes. As I mentioned before I blow mine out from the inside and the more one does that the longer that filter lasts. Once a month, once a week, after a dusty trip ~ it's really up to you.

Falco.

[nxski]

My opinion would be K&N for regular use and carry a spare paper one for dusty conditions. I'll leave it at that.

[pajerry]

[jessef]

South park Xmas !