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Message started by Digger on 07/05/15 at 17:37:44

Title: OEM Air Filter Bypassing
Post by Digger on 07/05/15 at 17:37:44

Hello all,

Bad news to report...

I pulled the OEM air filter out of my Savage (see my signature block for specifics). The bike had 13.9K miles on it and had seen almost totally urban use over the years, with no memories of dirt road riding at all.

I was horrified to discover dust inside the "clean" section of the airbox. Grrr....out comes the carb and the airbox for cleaning.

How did this happen? Some background:

I bought the bike used in late 2001, it had 50 miles on it. Based on what I know, it was ridden once, then put away in a shed long enough for the carb to gum up.

After buying the bike, I cleaned the carb and she's been running great ever since. When the bike had about 600 miles on it, I took out the original air filter, applied waterproof grease to the sealing foam, and popped 'er back in the airbox.

Over the years, I occasionally peeked inside the airbox, always thinking the filter looked good enough to leave in place. In short, since that 600 mile check, I've never pulled the original air filter, much less cleaned same.

Here are some recent pics:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee201/Digger109/LS650/Dirty%20OEM%20Air%20Filter%20-%201E.jpeg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee201/Digger109/LS650/Dirty%20OEM%20Air%20Filter%20-%202E.jpeg

While I don't believe the dust came in around the foam seal, based on my inspection of same, I suppose that is possible. More likely, I think, is that the dust was sucked through the filter media proper....which is surprising to me in that I've gone much. much further on air filters without cleaning them on my other street bikes.

Just a cautionary tale....don't be like me.... :'(

Title: Re: OEM Air Filter Bypassing
Post by Serowbot on 07/05/15 at 18:15:40

Ya' mean I have to check my air filter now?...

Geez!... work, work, work... ;D...

OKay,... prolly should... I don't remember checking it for a couple years now... :-/...

Title: Re: OEM Air Filter Bypassing
Post by old_rider on 07/05/15 at 18:46:03

Well mine is a 2003 so I guess I have 2 more years before I check ;D :D :D :o ::) :P

PS... um Serow... that wrench on yer tag... we call it a "Ford Wrench" in the military, were did you get the pic? Do you have a link were I can get one?

Title: Re: OEM Air Filter Bypassing
Post by Serowbot on 07/05/15 at 19:20:58

I stole it from Versy... ;D...

Title: Re: OEM Air Filter Bypassing
Post by Kris01 on 07/05/15 at 20:24:21

My '08 is running its stock filter and it looks brand new. Great tip on sealing the edges Digger!

Title: Re: OEM Air Filter Bypassing
Post by verslagen1 on 07/05/15 at 21:08:58

64676F79626F6E790B0 wrote:

got it on the internet, just search monkey wrench

here's one...
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200449278_200449278?cm_mmc=Bing-pla

Title: Re: OEM Air Filter Bypassing
Post by Digger on 07/06/15 at 11:53:18

7C474A5D4C405B5D464E435C2F0 wrote:

Is the plug on the air cleaner drain tube in place? Does your airbox have a plug over the (extra) tubing nipple on the bottom? Dust could come in that way if the plug(s) are missing.

The FORD wrench is not a pipe wrench....as the jaws are smooth and they are used on nuts/bolts. They are an adjustable wrench like a Crescent wrench....however the "FORD" wrench doesn't seem to loosen up like a Crescent wrench does. It was one of the available factory tools for working on your early car or tractor.

Thanks, Dave, for getting this thread back on track....well, mostly. ;)

Yes, both plugs were in place. In addition, I have verified that the drain tube itself is free of any splits that could let air in.

In addition, I was able to verify that (for my model of Savage, anyway (see my signature block)) the plugged drain (corresponding to the aft-most of the the two "nipples" on the underside of the airbox) leads to the "dirty" side of the airbox, while the drain tube (corresponding to the forward-most of said two "nipples") leads to the "clean" side of the airbox.

Title: Re: OEM Air Filter Bypassing
Post by Boogie_with_Stu on 07/06/15 at 12:58:22

Ok, so I took the air filter out to check it...and I have a question.

There doesnt seem to be a "channel" for it to slide into. It just sits up against the opening and attaches in the front, but what stops the back from moving away from the opening flange and creating a gap? Am I missing something? Since silicone rubber does not adhere well to ABS plastic, would it be helpful to put a bead of RTV around the sealing edge? Or is it not that critical.

Thanks in advance,

Title: Re: OEM Air Filter Bypassing
Post by Digger on 07/06/15 at 14:22:45

636E6E6668642C766875692C727574010 wrote:

Hi Stu,

Well, there's not really a "channel," per se, but there are two plastic "stays,", one that engages the air filter element's upper-port corner, and one that engages said element's lower-port corner, when said element is installed. Since said element has a stiff metal frame, said "stays" act to hold said element's port-most edge firmly against the airbox's sealing surface (well, in theory, anyway) - note that the starboard-most edge of said element is held in place by the single mounting screw that you had to remove in order to slide said element out of the airbox.

Here is a look at the upper-most of the two said "stays":

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee201/Digger109/LS650/Air%20Filter%20Element%20StayE.jpeg

IHTH!

Title: Re: OEM Air Filter Bypassing
Post by Dave on 07/08/15 at 05:02:48

[split] [splithere] (http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1436223064)[splithere_end]

Title: Re: OEM Air Filter Bypassing
Post by Dave on 07/08/15 at 05:07:57

OK Dokey......lets talk air filters!

Digger.....can you see anything that would indicate the air cleaner just wasn't sealed in the housing? A trail of dust or cleaner spot where the air flow might have gone around the filter housing?

Paper elements generally don't bypass anything....the more they are used and the pores close up - the more stuff they filter. Eventually they even won't let the air through!

Title: Re: OEM Air Filter Bypassing
Post by Digger on 07/08/15 at 12:54:32

68535E4958544F49525A57483B0 wrote:

Hi Dave,

Thanks for cleanin' this thread up...

Nothing really jumped out at me from examining inside of the airbox. It is interesting to note, however, that a fine grit seems to be pretty evenly distrubuted over the screen on the "clean" side of the air filter element.

Hmmm.....

Title: Re: OEM Air Filter Bypassing
Post by Boogie_with_Stu on 07/08/15 at 14:13:04

Roger that Col. Digger sir! Thanks for the photos. My old back doesnt bend the way it used to and I never saw those hardpoints.

Title: Re: OEM Air Filter Bypassing
Post by LANCER on 07/09/15 at 11:53:22

Hey Digger !
Where have you been ?
It's been a while since you've been here ?

Good to see you back !

Title: Re: OEM Air Filter Bypassing
Post by Digger on 07/11/15 at 11:25:55

303D323F392E6E6B5C0 wrote:

Hey Digger !
Where have you been ?
It's been a while since you've been here ?

Good to see you back !

Hi Lancer,

Thnx for the kind words!

The time I usually devote to my MC forums has been consumed by other projects. Hope to be back regularly soon...

Ride safe!

Title: Re: OEM Air Filter Bypassing
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/11/15 at 12:41:43

Digger, put the toothbrush and magnifying glass down, your garage is clean enough.