My Air Filter at 9K miles

[protondecay123]

This is my air filter at 9K miles beside it's replacement

There was chunky gritty sand in the air box as well. I would say that maybe 1.5 K of my 9K miles are dirt. Also, underneath the plug you remove from the air box is a Philips head screw you must remove as well!!

 

[protondecay123]

I think the filter must have failed somehow, because there was gritty sand like particles along the base of the two nozzles (on the wrong side of the fllter, the side with the metal grate). I changed my own air filters on the FJR and never had one that dirty.

 

[jajpko]

I think the filter must have failed somehow, because there was gritty sand like particles along the base of the two nozzles (on the wrong side of the fllter, the side with the metal grate). I changed my own air filters on the FJR and never had one that dirty.

I always check the rubber seal and put some Silicon grease on it before installing the air filter. Also when you set it on the air box, make sure it is on right before you screw it down. I go from side to side until all screws are in. Then I tighten them in a x pattern. Center screw goes in last and comes out first.

You should not have had grit around the nozzels, so maybe this will help.

Another thing, you may want to check where the air box attaches to the TB and tighten up the clamps a little. Just sayin

 

[hANNAbONE]

...other than the grit/sand - it looks like it should

get your air compressor out and blow it clean to dirty side - and plug it back in there.

 

[protondecay123]

I always check the rubber seal and put some Silicon grease on it before installing the air filter. Also when you set it on the air box, make sure it is on right before you screw it down. I go from side to side until all screws are in. Then I tighten them in a x pattern. Center screw goes in last and comes out first.

You should not have had grit around the nozzels, so maybe this will help.

Another thing, you may want to check where the air box attaches to the TB and tighten up the clamps a little. Just sayin

This is the first time it has been changed and honestly I was expecting to just do a visual on it. I changed my air filter on the FJR only at the scheduled time periods and the filter was never that dark. Also, I was a little suspicious because my gear shifts got a little "sticky". I changed engine oil to synthetic and the oil filter and it got a lot better. I'm thinking this may be a part of that puzzle. I did check the clamps and they were plenty tight. The rubber seal is what I was thinking, because as best I could tell the paper element was intact on visual inspection. I did a very thin layer of silicon grease on the paper side of the rubber rim of the new filter. Will definitely inspect the air filter at 12k. Also used the crosswise pattern for tightening those screws. Man, that bottom center one is tight quarters.

I've got an air compressor and used to blow out filters on Cat D-9's, but on my bikes I just replace them.

 

[jajpko]

This is the first time it has been changed and honestly I was expecting to just do a visual on it. I changed my air filter on the FJR only at the scheduled time periods and the filter was never that dark. Also, I was a little suspicious because my gear shifts got a little "sticky". I changed engine oil to synthetic and the oil filter and it got a lot better. I'm thinking this may be a part of that puzzle. I did check the clamps and they were plenty tight. The rubber seal is what I was thinking, because as best I could tell the paper element was intact on visual inspection. I did a very thin layer of silicon grease on the paper side of the rubber rim of the new filter. Will definitely inspect the air filter at 12k. Also used the crosswise pattern for tightening those screws. Man, that bottom center one is tight quarters.

I've got an air compressor and used to blow out filters on Cat D-9's, but on my bikes I just replace them.

Sounds like you have it covered. I would like to change that lower center screw for something else also. Still looking. A nice 4mm ball socket screw would be nice.. lol

 

[Don in Lodi]

Not that it matters really, are those machine screws into a metal insert or like a wood screw into plastic?

 

[jajpko]

Not that it matters really, are those machine screws into a metal insert or like a wood screw into plastic?

Looks like sheet metal screws.

 

[tomatocity]

Where are you seeing screws? The airbox is plastic.

 

[protondecay123]

Where are you seeing screws? The airbox is plastic.

When you look down in front of the gas tank you are looking at the top of the air box. From that view you can typically see 2 screws holding the air box cover in place. IIRC there are 9 total screws holding ( or rather 10 if you count the one under the center plug) the air box cover down

 

[mingo]

For those who do a lot of riding in sandy / dusty / off road conditions, you might want to source the foam UNI filter that is spec'd to SuperTen's sold in Australia.

 

[tomatocity]

When you look down in front of the gas tank you are looking at the top of the air box. From that view you can typically see 2 screws holding the air box cover in place. IIRC there are 9 total screws holding ( or rather 10 if you count the one under the center plug) the air box cover down

I know that. I have changed my air cleaner to a K&N. But it sounded like they were referring to the photo.

I had to remove the fuel tank to get the most rear screws out. Tried with the tank on but it was a PITA. I do need to check my filter before going to CANAK.

BTW: my OEM filter had a small amount of sand and debris and I had not ridden it off-road at that time. Also had oil and traces of moisture in the drain cap.