from that link, it shows higher amounts of wear metals and silicon in oil analysis when the K&N is used. It's on the second or third page of the link.

 

The K&N filter allows a lot of particulate matter through and you get high readings in the oil analysis of things you don't want in your oil. K&N people deny this but it's not healthy to have things like silicon in your oil. Go back a few posts and read what i wrote about the oil testing guy on my Diesel forum.

 

So, I have an AirAide filter on my HHR, do I assume that fits in the same catagory as a K&N filter?

 

What about that highly touted oil additive from a few years back, "Slick 50" I think it was called, didn't it have silicone in it?
You weren't supposed to add it to your oil change except every 50,000 miles due to potential "build up".

 

Silicon = Sand not Silicone

Not that that had anything to do with the oil results but you can go see the results of the FTC suit against Slick 50 at the FTC website.

 

Interesting discussion. Slick 50 = Snake oil. For that matter, my opinion of oil analysis is about the same. A lot of these analysis companies are getting wealthy spinning up fear about what's in your oil. Keep in mind that the particulates in your oil are measured in PPM (parts per million). The higher numbers that a K&N filter will cause are, in comparison to the amount of oil, minuscule. Most cars will fall apart around the engine long before those additional particulates will do any real damage to the internal parts. The key is regular oil changes. Whether its every 3k or 7k, makes no difference. Just keep up with it, and use a quality oil filter, and you'll get a boatload of miles from your engine.

I had a 95 Suburban with a K&N filter. The original owner put the filter in at the first recommended filter change. I bought the truck with 97k on the odometer. My dad has it now, 185k on it. Still has the K&N. Runs smooth, doesn't smoke, and still has gobs of power. I guess what I'm saying is that if you want a K&N, buy it and don't worry about excessive engine wear. Its not worth the getting worry lines over.

As far as using a K&N on any modern vehicle, I think its something of a waste unless you have the PCM tuned to take advantage of the additional air flow. Older engines, that's different.

 

I used Slick 50 in my old Ford pickup with a 300 straight six/four speed. After using the additive, the cylinders would bleed off slowly with the truck parked in gear with pressure against the cylinders. If you parked on a hill you'd find the truck about 5 feet from where it was parked overnight. The emergency brake was broken. I had to keep a log in the bed to chock the wheels with. It didn't do that before the Slick 50.