I was washing out my K&N filter over the weekend and noticed some tiny holes in the filter when I held it up to the light. This really had me concerned, so I oiled it up and checked it again to see if any of the holes had filled in due to the material absorbing the oil and still found tiny holes in the pleats. Is this "normal"? My guess is that it isn't, but I'm not sure since the K&N instructions say that the filter actually works BETTER as it gets dirtier. BTW...I have always used care when cleaning this filter out...no air compressors, etc. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

It looks like there are holes, but that is what makes the filter good. I thought the same thing, but after 40,000 miles on my old 240sx, there was NO trace of dirt past the filter. It is like not having a filter at all! With the maxima, I can't use one. i have a drop in, but the cone makes the car sound CRAZY. That is good sometimes, but not always.