air filter seal?

digitaldrifter91 · Apr 26, 2003

i was just looking at my air filter (panel) in my accord and noticed that inside the box after the filter there is a little dirt near the seals. it seems as though that dirt has been leaking through the seals. i blame fram air filter for this but it can be my air box as well.

i did a search and many people found ways to help but many people did say some downsides to their techniques. i wonder how can i eliminate this leak? i have a rectangular box, and 4 screws.

http://catalog.baldwinfilter.com/PartImages/PA2204.jpg
thats my filter.

can i just use foam there?

thanks fellas.

..i know this is an air filter topic but it is a mechanical tip...

[ April 27, 2003, 12:25 AM: Message edited by: digitaldrifter91 ]

Rick · Apr 26, 2003

Just get some silicon, it makes a good sealent and will turn rubbery. It's what I use on my air box to create a leak free seal.

digitaldrifter91 · Apr 26, 2003

wont that get too hard so that i cannot take off the filter? silicon, the clear one?

joee12 · Apr 26, 2003

Drifter, another good alternative would be K&N sealing grease. It will trap any dirt and seal your airbox. -Joe

Hirev · Apr 27, 2003

Another vote fot grease. Just a light coat of High temp. wheel bearing grease. Dirt bike riders almost always use grease on their air filter seals. IMHO their are better filter choices out there.

Rick in PA · Apr 27, 2003

Assuming the airbox is in good condition, not warped or mis-shaped:
The easiest fix is to install a new filter and leave it alone. I once had an interesting conversation with some air filter experts and they said the worst thing you can do with an air filter is remove it to check it, clean it, etc. Constant fidgiting with the air filter is not a good thing. The seal on an air filter works best the first time, after that the chances of the seal not sealing increase.

I use to remove my air filter to clean and inspect it at every oil change. Now I just leave the air filter alone until it's due for replacement.

UncleS2 · Apr 27, 2003

I tend to agree with Rick, even though I run a K&N. I first installed it ~2 yrs ago. Didn't touch it until I cleaned it about this time last year. Haven't touched it since then, & will probably install an aftermarket intake pipe w/cone filter when it's time to clean the drop in soon(1 yr is about my "comfort limit" w/the K&N- ~24,000? miles). Remember, sometimes, with some things, it's possible to *ahem* fix things to death.

digitaldrifter91 · Apr 27, 2003

i noticed before it had some dirt inside as well, even if i change the filter. perhaps my air box is warn out but it looks brand new.

so i can use high temp grease as well? wouldnt that be in danger of getting loose and getting inside my engine? ill take a look at that.

that would suck if my air box is warped.

http://www.angelfire.com/ri/RacerInc/Img_0010.jpg

my engine with airbox on the left.

[ April 27, 2003, 11:29 PM: Message edited by: digitaldrifter91 ]

Hirev · Apr 27, 2003

The key word here is LIGHT coat on the sealing surface. No big globs or anything. It would be a good idea to check and see if the air box is warped. Try using feeler gauge on the new and old filter if you can. Even a little dirt getting past a air filter is very brutal on the rings, piston and cylinder wall. The worst thing is it can embed into the piston. I seen this many times in the 70s on dirt bikes. the air filters and filter oil were not the greatest back then.

[ April 28, 2003, 12:36 AM: Message edited by: Hirev ]

TheLoneRanger · Apr 27, 2003

This is a very important area, that is largely overlooked. A leaky airbox will negate all the benefits of good filter maintenence.

Drifter, go to your nearest home improvement center (Lowes, Home Depot, etc.), and pick up a roll of weatherstripping tape. It's got a sticky glue on one side, and can be easily fitted to a custom air box. When the airbox/filter is tightened down, the foam compresses and expands to make a perfect airtight fit.

digitaldrifter91 · Apr 28, 2003

ok thank you!

ill try all ur tips. first i got to see if my air box is warped. going to take it apart and shine some light through it.

[ April 28, 2003, 02:55 PM: Message edited by: digitaldrifter91 ]

darrenc · Apr 28, 2003

Go to Napa and get some Syl Glide. Great for gaskets, weather stripping, etc.

SigShooter · Apr 30, 2003

Maybe the problem is with the aftermarket filters that you are installing.I run only original equipment filters,in my case a Motorcraft.I had a K&N filter but it did not seal tightly like the Motorcraft.I would suggest buying an original equipment filter first before using grease all over it.Seems to me that the grease would attract dirt.

digitaldrifter91 · May 5, 2003

i cleaned out the air box again yesterday and it seems there is some small seepage still. i went to homedepot and found this friction tape which looks like electrical tape but it is rubbery. looks like a good sealer! im going to try it today.

i will take out the intake system and hook it up to a high powerd vacumn with a filter just before the vacumn to catch any other debreis. im going to put some small amount of sand and some dust and lint and let the intake suck it up.

if all goes well i shouldnt see anything on the filter before the vacumn. i know this isnt a conclusive test, but it will tell me if there is still a leak. what can i say, im bored.

btw i will stop with fram filters, going with baldwin

digitaldrifter91 · May 5, 2003

well i played with my intake system today. turns out there is a slight leak along one side of the filter. it seems as though the filter itself does not seal all the way. the seal bends and therefor does not seal well.

when i put that rubber tape on there "pure really sticky rubber" i put it on the inside of the air box. when i put the filter on it, it seald super tight. i turned on the car with only the main filter element and the top box to see if there is any leaks this time and there is not. so i put it back into place with the lower resignator box and it turned out really nice.

i guess that rubbery tape stuff is some good stuff. very durable. i also put a little bit of greese inside to catch any dirt that will come later.

thanks for all your help. i will be using the rubber stuff and the silicone as mentioned in the future if this does not work.

price=$1.39

time=30 minutes.

TheLoneRanger · May 5, 2003

Good job, Drifter. It's my opinion that most stock filters and airboxes leak. Just about all that I have changed filters in, have had dust residue in the airtube. As I said before, this is a very important area and is often overlooked....

digitaldrifter91 · May 6, 2003

yea ur right, it is over looked. but i always looked at it but never conciderd the fact that it may not be completly sealed.

for fun i drove it around without the resignator box, my gosh it was like a rocket haha. i didnt have a chance to do the vacumn test. when i get my baldwin air filter i will though.

thanks for ur help.

air filter seal?

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