1st condition inspection,IO320 AIRFILTER?

[YellowJacket RV9]

That's odd. Mine hasn't shrunk in the 2 years and 220ish hours it has been flying, and it is still just as flexible. But I have heard other people complain of shrinking, also. Wonder if K&N changed materials at some point?

On another note, I did find today during my CI that the filter was beginning to wear a groove through the FAB floor. Filled it in and glassed over it...

Chris

[Carl Froehlich]

Originally Posted by RV7 To Go

How are you guys getting hundreds or hours out go one of these air filters? I have 100 hrs on my stock O360 with stock Vans FAB using the K&N E3450 air filter. It came with the firewall forward kit and was oily and in a plastic bag when first installed last summer (yes I removed the bag). Checking it after 100 hrs and it has shrunk about 3/4" in diameter and is not flexible any more. Not flying in rain although light precipitation a couple times. What gives?
Al

Yep - common problem.

PM me your email address and I?ll provide photos on how I fixed this.

Carl

[RV7 To Go]

Thanks Carl. PM sent.
Al

[lr172]

Originally Posted by RV7 To Go

How are you guys getting hundreds or hours out of one of these air filters? I have 100 hrs on my stock O360 with stock Vans FAB using the K&N E3450 air filter. It came with the firewall forward kit and was oily and in a plastic bag when first installed last summer (yes I removed the bag). Checking it after 100 hrs and it has shrunk about 3/4" in diameter and is not flexible any more. Not flying in rain although light precipitation a couple times. What gives?
Al

Variable rubber quality in china with limited oversight. A common plague of modern auto parts.

[cjohngraham]

Likewise, at the first annual (75 hours) on my RV-7A with O-360, the K&N had shrunk in height about 1/8". Diameter was still OK. To close the gap, I put a bead of red RTV on top edge of the filter. But Vic Syracuse (see his EAA webinars on RV maintenance) says that's a no-no because RTV can come apart and get sucked into the carb. He suggests fabricating a spacer from aluminum sheet and putting a layer of Proseal on it. Anyone had experience with this?