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  #1  
Old 06-11-2011, 09:27 AM
Sheldon's Avatar
Sheldon Sheldon is offline
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Concho, Arizona
Posts: 177
Default shrunken K&N filter

Re: K&N filter # E-3450 in 360 fab box. @ 600 hrs.

Durring this last condition inspection cleaning & re-oiling the filter, I noticed it didn't fit into the fab box like it orginally did. What? Checked the specs on the K&N filter web site.. it was smaller.. It fit correctly when first put together & didn't notice this on any earlier inspections.. So, ordered a new one from Van's... New one fits as it should.. Also orginal one was not quite as tall as the new one hence, maybe not sealing up against the top plate quite right... I can understand that, but why it shrunk in diameter..?
Wonder if anyone else has this happen too, or did I miss the 'replace after blank hours' instruction...?
Sheldon

Orginal filter
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

New filter
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

About 1/16 inch shorter in height, more in some places
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink
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Sheldon Barrett sheldonb@frontiernet.net
RV6A 0-360 FP 750 hrs
Champ RV6 at LOE #3

Last edited by Sheldon : 06-11-2011 at 02:22 PM. Reason: to show the pictures
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  #2  
Old 06-11-2011, 10:58 AM
Lux Wrangler Lux Wrangler is offline
 
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Posts: 110
Default solvents?

Could it be how you are cleaning the filter?
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  #3  
Old 06-11-2011, 11:29 AM
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chuckwn chuckwn is offline
 
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Location: Petaluma, CA
Posts: 261
Default Same Here

I noticed the same thing in my RV-8 with an O-360 and Vans FAB. The original KN filter gradually shrunk over its service life. The shrinkage was mostly in the diameter, but a little in the height. The wear marks in the FAB tell the story. Sorry no pics, but I suspect this is the nature of the beast. The filter was replaced at 1000 hours, a reasonable service life in my opinion. When compared side by side, the 1000 hour filter was much smaller than the new unit and the new unit sealed much better.
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RV-8 N828RV
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  #4  
Old 06-11-2011, 12:07 PM
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Sheldon Sheldon is offline
 
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Default

I clean the filter using K&N sray cleaner per the instructions.. rinsing in water & letting it dry...
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RV6A 0-360 FP 750 hrs
Champ RV6 at LOE #3
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  #5  
Old 06-11-2011, 01:14 PM
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Sheldon Sheldon is offline
 
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Location: Concho, Arizona
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Default

Ok... the instructions on the K&N cleaner bottle says 'excesive heat will shrink the cotton fiber media'.. guess drying it outside in the Az. heat a no- no.. although it wasn't in direct sunlight.. Might be the answer.. Anyway, new one in place...
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RV6A 0-360 FP 750 hrs
Champ RV6 at LOE #3
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  #6  
Old 06-11-2011, 01:34 PM
Kyle Boatright Kyle Boatright is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 4,218
Default

Mine shrunk in diameter, making it a bear to clean and reinstall after 6-8 years. $20 and a dab of RTV later, I replaced it with a new one. I figure it is an item on the "replace as necessary" list.
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Marietta, GA
2001 RV-6 N46KB
2019(?) RV-10
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  #7  
Old 06-12-2011, 06:44 AM
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N282S N282S is offline
 
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Location: Topeka
Posts: 323
Default Me too!

I thought it was my imagination. But, I remember initially it was a tight fit in diameter inside the fab. But, after the second cleaning per instructions and drying overnight inside the house, it is way smaller.
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Steve Stucky
Topeka, Ks
N282S - VariEze 500+ hrs
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  #8  
Old 06-12-2011, 06:50 AM
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zilik zilik is offline
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Location: Pine Junction, CO
Posts: 655
Default 100ll

Shrinking filters is a common problem. I think the rubber in the filter is not compatible with 100LL.
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Gary "Seismo" Zilik
Pine Junction, Colorado
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  #9  
Old 06-12-2011, 07:21 AM
TX7A TX7A is offline
 
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Location: Abilene, TX
Posts: 725
Default

...just want to throw in a word of caution here...and there are other threads that address this...

Be very careful about using rubber seals, gaskets, etc. in the FAB to tighten up a shrunken filter. Loose stuff can get sucked-up into the carb & the big fan up in front of the plane stops turning.
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RV7-A O-360 C/S
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Last edited by TX7A : 06-12-2011 at 07:23 AM.
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  #10  
Old 06-12-2011, 07:44 AM
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Sheldon Sheldon is offline
 
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Location: Concho, Arizona
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Default

'Cotton fiber media' (per K&N)... wet it, dry it.. cotton shrinks.. If it does after couple (or more) cleanings & doesn't fit right, time for a new one... cheap.. Cheaper via Van's than at K&N's web site by $7.54...
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