Unifilter ??????????

stick with the paper element. As a diesel mechanic of 30 years i have seen them all. They will stop some dirt but if you do an oil analysis you will find your oil will contain high silicon. Which is Dust and dirt. Not good for your engine.
Hope this helps Cheers

If used properly, I think they are good.But you do need to keep them clean which may mean cleaning and oiling them everyday in extreme dusty conditions, which turns into a pain.
Also, some vehicles air flow sensors play up as oil is sucked out of the filter and on the sensor.
Dirt bikes use foam filters in extreme conditions all day every day and when looked after suffer no long term damage so I dont see why vehicles would.But you need to keep them clean and oiled.

Hi Wherehegone

As a mechanic for more years than I care to think about I have found that most of the serviceable (oiled) filters do a pretty good job if maintained properly and therein lies the problem. A lot of people, including some mechanics who should know better, either over or under oil these elements. Both scenarios can be a major failure in the making. IMHO stick with a paper element if you are not confident that you can get the servicing right. It's a messy job as well cleaning and oiling at home let alone in the bush.

Cheers Pop

I have seen many posts on this and other forums where the oil particles faul soem ECU sensors 'downstream' from the air filter, which cost $$$ to repair

Plus, for the relativly small price of the OE paper filter which is really good and seals perfectly, why would you go anywhere else?

CJ

Used one for years on my Jackaroo - they have a main filter sock plus an outer sleeve - both are oiled and cleaned as often as required - the outer sleeve catches the dirt first - cleaning that outer is often all that is required for ages - you can take a spare outer sleeve on dusty trips and might save you from any cleaning while away. Properly fitted, I can't see any dust ever getting past them. It is possible than some air flow sensors will produce puta errors if any fine oil droplets get on them - I suggest you check with the Prado forum on this.

Good day Steve,
I have used them on my old diesel Rocky , and the runner where it helped it breath better. I never ever found any dust on the inlet tract. On average I use to clean mine about every 6 months(90% sealed road use). I never found it necessary to even clean the inner element, just the outside one. But if I am on a dirt road following someone I tend to hang back out of the dust if possible.
Their was a very good post on Lcool a while a go where they compared inlet tracts cleaness between stardard filters and Unifilters. They used a white cloth and found the vehicles fitted with Unifiler where cleaner.
The only thing stopping me putting one on the Jack is I have a concern of maf contamation. Although Brad on the aust 4wd forum has run them on every Jack he has owned.
Knowing how maintance minded you are I dont think you will have a problem, just get an extra sleeve.
Let us know how it goes if you decide to go ahead.
Cheers Pete

They are ok on petrol motors but be careful when using one on a turbo diesel, the turbo has to pull a lot more air and when there is some restriction it will start pulling oil from the blow by pipe from the rocker cover. This is why we use catch cans to stop this happening. Would show you photos but can not work out how to do this on my new computer with windows 7 pain in the a''

While oiled filters may be OK when used on-road, simply not worth the risk if going off-road in anything resembling dust IMHO. Take a read of this report - long winded but well worth the read if you care about your engine. Air filter test report
Cheers

Captain

I have been using a Unifilter on the OKa for 5 years and 150,000km.
I wash it as it requires on the road.
I have no intention of changing to anything else.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome

My boss bought a Rodeo a few years ago. Turned out the motor had been "dusted". There is a sticker in the engine bay indicating that a Unifilter had been fitted. The Unifilter was not there when he bought it. I think that speaks heaps !! I would not even consider fitting one.

Ian

I sold UniFilters in NZ for 7 years about 20 years ago. If they are serviced correctly, you should have no problems. If you need a custom made filter which is what I specialised in, they are the best and cheapest around. My market was race/rally cars, speedway and offroad vehicles and I did not sell many filters for diesel applications.

If they are serviced with the correct technique and oil, they are good, if not, they will damage the engine. The UniFilters are very messy to service.

What do I use on my own vehicles now, the standard paper element that does not need servicing on a regular basis which could be as little as several 100km in dusty conditions.

Stevesub