K&N air filter gasket grows

[frankd]

I've got a K&N air filter in my 89, and it's been installed for about 5 years. Just like the K&N I used to have in my 83, the gasket on the bottom of the element has come loose from the filter element, and appears to have gotten longer so it really won't fit in the groove any more. I've been just doing my best to get the element installed with the gasket in the groove, but now it's grown so much that this is impossible. In a couple of spots, the gasket hangs out. The gasket is pretty wide, so it's still sealing OK, but I was wondering how others have cured this.

[dna9656]

Considering what K & N gets for those filters I would be at K & N's door whining about it.

[saddlebum]

I had the same thing. I resolved it this way. Carefully fully remove the gasket from the filter. Wash it out out thoroughly with brake clean squeezing it constantly just like you would when rinsing out a sponge. Do it several times and do not panic as it will double in size. Just make sure it gets a real good wash out with the brake clean. Squeeze out the surplus as well as you can, then leave it laying on a flat surface such as piece of sheet metal in the hot sun, make sure you flip it over a few times. By the time the sun and metal dry it out (about an hour or two but the longer you leave it the better) it will have shrunk back to its original size. In the mean time clean and re-oil the filter (Do Not Over OIL). Then using brake clean and a cloth clean the gasket surface completely. Use grey or red silicone and but a thin coating on the filters gasket surface. Carefully re-attach the gasket then lay the filter down on a flat surface, gasket up. Next lay a piece of flat board on top of the gasket and then some weight on the board (I used four bricks) this clamps it all together. Leave it cure for 12 hours and your good to go.

 

One last thing make sure your Carbs are not flooding because if Gasoline gets on the gasket it causes it to swell. Also using the wrong oil or too much oil on the filter can cause it to swell. When cleaning the filter avoid getting any solvent type cleaner on the gasket, You guessed it, swelling. If it does show signs of swelling leave it in the hot sun for awhile.

Edited August 25, 2014 by saddlebum

[Condor]

The K&N's have a lifetime warrantee. I had one do the same thing, called them, and they sent me a new replacement... por nada...