Air Cleaner

[azccj]

Is it just my TTSE that seems to have a problem with junk getting sucked into the air box, past the air cleaner element? Today I was doing the 30K service on my 2013 TTSE and once again I found stuff in the air box that made it past the air cleaner element somehow. I'm not talking just small stuff like dust, I'm talking about bug wings and sand size things, none of which can be good for the engine. This isn't the first time either I've found stuff that had collected in the little clear collection tube that hangs off the back of the air box. I found no sign that the air box was damaged but today I switched out the whole air box since I had a spare that I got off ebay cheap. Hopefully the new airbox will fix the problem.

Anyone else who does there own service seeing the same thing?

[nervouswreck]

I've not changed the air filter on the Trophy yet. It was changed when the head replacement was done.  So at some point I will have to change it.  But have changed filters on a lot of other machines and have never found debris on the engine side.  Does the filter not seal tightly in the housing?  Not understanding how debris will get by the filter.  You say you found this "again".  Obviously something is amiss, that should not happen.

[lemuriano]

I did saw some of the symptoms that you describe, but after switching to K&N the problem was solve. I suspect that the air filter sealing grease that K&N recommend, create a tight seal around the filter, perhaps that may have something to do with it.

[Dom]

I too have had this issue on two occasions. Found bits of road grit and all sorts on 'clean' side of filter!
Sounds a bit anal I know but I removed air box with filter fitted and inserted a flexible endoscope inspection camera to inspect the sealing edges.
I found that it's not a good design. The tapered lid piece that holds the filter seems to seal well at the ends, but the centre section is not robust and doesn't hold firmly enough against the box to seal well. I could see light coming through at these points.
When I fitted the new filter I applied a bead of soft silicone sealer around the sealing edge of the filter and refitted. I know it sounds drastic but it works well in completely sealing the filter and it comes off easily as well when changing it. So far it has kept the throttle body side of things clean as a whistle.
Hope this helps.

[earthman]

That's a good tip Dom, will be checking how well or not my filter casing is sealing.

[av8or-dave]

Well, I haven't changed the OEM from Factory air filter yet, but I installed the lower HEADER PIPES and Radiator R&G metal mesh protection screens, and added a layer of household door screen material to them to catch smaller stuff from getting through to Molly's inners.  Maybe that'll help prevent this issue too?

[av8or-dave]

DOM

"Time flies like the wind, fruit flies like bananas."  Made me laugh!

As a helicopter pilot, I always said, "TIME FLIES, WHEN IT's FLIGHT TIME".

[digital]

My next valve check is when I always replace the air filter and spark plugs. I'm going to take the AirBox and look at all four sides with a magnifying glass.

Last week in another Post he also talked about the sealing of the AirBox.

I never found dust on it and the air filter is normal between 32,000 km, which is when I do those complicated checks and have already done something on this bike.

I will plug all its holes and insert the inspection camera to see if light enters.

I don't know if from the friends I have, the trophy holders, their mechanics have encountered the problem of sealing and sand residue etc.