K&N air filter shrinkage ????

[rockjok]

I just replaced my carb boots and decided to clean up the air box and K&N filter.

After cleaning the element in hot soapy water I let it dry for a couple hours and re-oiled it. When I started to put it in it seems to have shrunk. In the past it's always been a bit tight but now it seems to be a good eighth inch too small all the way around. I've drawn blood several times trying to get it to stretch over the ends.

Anyone else had a problem like this or, hopefully, a solution? I'm wondering if I screwed up by using hot water rather than cold or lukewarm. Frustrating!

Rob

[skids]

Re: K&N air filter shrinkage ????

Years ago, I had one shrink also. But I believe it was due to gasoline in the airbox

[mason79]

mine too, i thought the dealer had threw anything they could fine in the box but by checking the numbers i think ya-140, it was for the bike, iT shrunk so much i had to get a uni...
drew blood too at least you got yours in

so now i know it was the gas...

[Dennyz]

"Shrinkage"!

I found letting it warm in the sun (if you have any of that stuff) really helps. The warmer you can get it without damaging it, the easier it is. (works on air filter also)

Must be the rain!!!!!!

[mason79]

on the subject of air cleaners, you know the bottom plate has a little hole where the gas leaks out, is there suppose to be a plug, funny it would let unfiltered air into the system.

[Ken Talbot]

There's supposed to be a plug there, with a filtered vent hole. It is a drain hole to drain off excess oil from the original oiled 'hairy foam' air cleaner element.

[mason79]

thanks mr talbot

[pggg]

Mason shove some foam rubber in the vent and while down there, drill a few 1cm diameter holes beneath the air filter then tear off the carbs and rejet them 2 sizes larger then the tight fitting K&N will work a treat. Especially if you stick on a classy 4-1.

[mason79]

my tearing into carbs, is over for at least 2 weeks, thanks, my exhaust while looks decent, needs help, i may not have a choice but go cheapy mac 4 to 1.

[rockjok]

Thinking back, I had this happen last spring also to a K&N filter.

Yesterday I found a new K&N filter that I bought last year and compared it to the "shrunk" filter. It is considerably smaller and the screenwork frame shows clearly through the perimeter plastic.

I recall the old one being kinda stuck when I removed it but I wished I'd looked closer then. I'm pretty sure it was either gas or hot water that ruined it.

Oh well, I've ordered a couple of UNI filters and will avoid K&N in the future. I've run this brand on dirt bikes in the past with much. $40 is a bit much to pay for a yearly replacement filter.

Rob

[Dennyz]

I have had the same K&N in my 'F' since '94. I take it once a year to clean it. I have always cleaned and oil it with the K&N service kit. It is not as flexable as it was new, but still in great shape.

[skids]

Save yourself a headache. If you have a 78 (or 79?), the airbox bolts may have cotter clips instead of E-clips. The cotter clips can make it damn near impossible to get the airbox apart again if they get caught in the foam.

Originally posted by rockjok

Oh well, I've ordered a couple of UNI filters and will avoid K&N in the future. I've run this brand on dirt bikes in the past with much. $40 is a bit much to pay for a yearly replacement filter.

Rob