Originally posted by red58:
didn't let the ash thru cuz the particles stay in the oil, oil bath filters don't plug up until the oil turns to grease 
your reasoning Tiny, is the common take on the question, but on a vehicle subject to dusty conditions they\'re best if properly maintained - apparently the SAE agrees
the reason the switch was made is most city vehicle use doesn't warrant the extra expense in manufacturing and the OEM's cut every corner they can
Bill I'm going to have to disagree Bill. What you hyperlinked are two individual's opinions with nothing to back them up. Their opinions have no more validity than mine. IF particles touch the oil they would indeed stick I agree. However all you have to do is watch a fish aquarium with the air bubbles going to the surface or simply blow through a straw into a glass of any liquid you prefer. Look at the size of the bubbles and imagine the size of particles that could be in that air. Then look at the size of the openings in the mesh. Small indeed but HUGE compared to the openings in quality dry filter media.
