K&N filter missing plugs
 

I just opened my airbox to do the needle shim, TPS, out with PAIR and carb sync and found what looks like K&N. The filter "plate" is made out of hard black plastic with a square filter element in the middle. Once I lifted the filter I found that the two foam inserts around the carb diaphragm vent ports are missing, leaving three open holes (unfiltered air). Can I simply silicone shut the holes or will I create problem by introducing some vacum on the back side of the carb diaphragm. In the K&N kit, are these plugs solid or are they foam?


Thanks.

Just put a K&N in last night. The plugs are very firm plasticky material, but not hard (you can squash them a bit). The cover the top of those two ports, but the foam filters remain inside. Honestly I'm not sure what the point of the whole assembly is anywhere unless its sort of a vaccuum chamber for increased volume to dissipate pulses?

With a K&N you should have the small foam filters and a set of rubber blocks that seal the chamber (on the stock filter they are molded in) the purpose of these is to supply air to the back side of the carb diaphragms. Yes this part is important and no I wouldn't recommend just sealing them shut.

I was concerned about introducing vacume on the back side of the diaphragms. I guess I need to call K&N. Thank you once again for all the help.

RANT!

F#$king stupid PO. If you do not know how to work on stuff, just let it be.

Thanks for listening, I feel better now.

Ahhhh yes the joys of giving your pre-owned bike the once over and enjoying the fruits of someone else's modifications. I bought a 750 Vulcan last year that had NO air filters in it at all... Guess it didn't bother him much as he had been riding the bike around for at least a year with no front brakes either.

Called K&N and they are sending the block for free.