Red fluid found in air box

[GoldWingrGreg]

I had to ask the customer "any idea what the red thick fluid might be in the bottom of your air box ???" I had no idea. However, when he said "it's probably from my K & M air filter," it was like dahhh !!! However, I've removed many of those air filters, but have never seen any red fluid under one. He also had about 3" of red fluid in the bottom of his breather tube.

In the picture shown, and before I share what it is, can anyone spot the obvious error this customer made, and most others make when installing a K & M air filter ??? Hint ... it has nothing to do with the red fluid.

 

[Marc H]

Having never seen that area of an 1800 I have no idea other than he must have used the whole bottle of oil on that thing to make it do that.On an unrelated side note if you over oil one those filters on a car or truck with a mass air filter it will set a code for the mass air from oil collecting on it.

 

[trike lady]

The pic is small and I am going to say the sealing grease that is used around the edge of the filter to make a better seal.

If you use too much it doesn't make it seal any better it just makes a mess.

 

[Papa Zook]

Over oiled the K&N air filter.

 

[GoldWingrGreg]

In the picture shown, and before I share what it is, can anyone spot the obvious error this customer made, and most others make when installing a K & N air filter ??? Hint ... it has nothing to do with the red fluid.

Thanks trike lady ... I had no idea that such a product was made. It's always nice to learn something new. As for my picture, I've since learned how to post bigger ones for better viewing.

As for using sealing grease on a GL1800, it's should not be needed. However, possibly it was.

Regarding what is wrong in the picture above, the installer of the K&N air filter made a common error that most make ... he either didn't read, or did read and didn't follow the instructions that come with a K&N air filter. If he did, he would see that the rubber-seal, in the grove around the air box, needs to be removed. A K&N air filter for a GL1800 comes with a lip that fills the area where the seal resides. Not removing the seal adds stress to the air-box, and the rubber around the air filter. Additionally, sometimes the screw holes get stripped.

http://www.knfilters.com/instructions/HA-1801_inst.pdf