RickV
Parking Attendant
Posts: 7
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posted March 28, 2004 11:18 AM
Edited By: RickV on 28 Mar 2004 15:44
Dirt in air box on 2002 ZX12
I just checked the air box on my 2002 ZX12, when installing new BMC air filters, and found a lot of grimy dirt that either go by the stock filters, or thru another spot in the air box that is not properly sealed. I removed the inspection plates and inspected the air box before removing the air filters, so its not dirt that fell off the filters during removal. This is the first time the air box has been checked, and filters removed. The bike only has 2,100 miles on it. This is very bad situation. This much dirt will definitely cause premature wear to the valve train, pistons, and cyclnder walls. Does anyone have information on this problem?
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canadamaxxer

Pro
Posts: 1090
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posted March 28, 2004 11:28 AM
I'm willing to bet that 90% of the 12's out there have this problem. I don't know what the solution is. I am not sure if the dirt is getting around the edges of the filters, or what, but the only tip I have heard is to use saltwater proof grease (we used to use it for motocross bike filters for sealing the edges of the filter to the airbox) and smear it on the inside of the box. This should collect the dirt before it has a chance to enter the throttle bodies. If the air is getting around the edges of the filters, then greasing the edges of the BMC's should not only help, but show the evidence once the filters are pulled out for service.
Surprisingly, I don't think this dirt causes abnormal wear. I had dirt in my airbox, and I just (this morning) pulled my cylinder off. There is NO scoring of any kind in the bore or on the pistons. I was quite surprised, but that is what I saw. I guess we have to give these engines credit for being tough.
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Dino

Pro
Posts: 1422
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posted March 28, 2004 11:47 AM
A lot of the black, gritty stuff you're seeing is coming from the Crankcase breather. Re-route that hose ......seal off the airbox, and it will stay clean in there!
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uh oh
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VincentHill

Needs a life
Posts: 6520
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posted March 28, 2004 01:03 PM
Dino, you are wrong on this. The "Sand" and Grit I have seen was with the Stock Filters because everyone that has changed to BMC and left the Kleen Air alone has not see the return of the dirt. Also a lot of people have removed their Kleen Air and still had Dirt in the Air Box before they changed to BMC or K&N Filters.
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Made History @ Daytona and still one fast old man!!
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zx12richard

Pro
The Green Monster..
Posts: 1133
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posted March 28, 2004 01:16 PM
I also agree get rid of stock filter problem gone...
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RickV
Parking Attendant
Posts: 7
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posted March 28, 2004 03:42 PM
I will check and see how clean the air box is in 500 miles. I will let you all know if the BMC did the trick of keeping out the dirt. I did not use any grease to seal it, although it seems to have a very good seal as is. Thank you all for your help.
Rick V
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Dino

Pro
Posts: 1422
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posted March 28, 2004 04:12 PM
Damn Vincent,.....I hate it when I'm wrong
I was just stating what worked for mine. The first time I opened my airbox, I found it covered with a fine, black, semi-gritty substance. I did a water test on the airbox to see where any leaks could be. Water would seep out around the mounting holes for the throttle bodies.(rubber stacks)
Water also ran out of the bottom of the little 90 degree fitting that the C.C.breather hose connected to. (back side of the airbox)
I siliconed these areas before re-assembly, greased around the outside of the stock filters, and routed the C.C. breather hose to a different location. (Ihave since done the C.C. vacuum mod)
I haven't seen a single bit of crud in there since doing that!
I'll have to add that I did put the K&N's in about a year later.
Even with the K&N's, Ilike to grease the edges........better safe than sorry!
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uh oh
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Dino

Pro
Posts: 1422
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posted March 28, 2004 04:13 PM
Something I forgot........Does everyone else "oil" their filter??
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uh oh
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Hells Dark Lord

Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
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posted March 28, 2004 04:20 PM
i oil mine, every time I take it out and check it.....better safe than sorry
I havent done any mods to my airbox other than the K&N filters, adn I dont get the crud you all are taling about ......just lucky i guess....
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When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
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JoshDunn

Expert Class
Posts: 373
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posted March 28, 2004 05:33 PM
I have stock filters, never even looked at them. Bike has almost 4000 miles. Who sells BMC's for a Good price. I go to Bend to see family alot, maybe I will go see Muzzy. I am finally going to get a Powercommander too.
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ninja12
Needs a job
Posts: 3310
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posted March 29, 2004 08:50 AM
get the new usb one.
My zx12 crew have been having a serious bad time with these pc3 and pc3r's right now we have 3 out of 5 dead. All are the old type.
Anyone know how to get i touch with tearitup?
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VincentHill

Needs a life
Posts: 6520
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posted March 29, 2004 09:15 AM
Dino, you were not wrong about what "You" had, just what "WE" had.
On Oiling the filters, the "Filter Oil" is just that., made for the flters. Because it was red, I thought it was Transmission fluid. It is not and use their Oil (K&N) for the BMC or K&N Filters. The K&N Required grease and the BMC do not but we all still have some grease from where the K&N Filters were.
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Made History @ Daytona and still one fast old man!!
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rubber pants

Zone Head
Posts: 798
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posted April 03, 2004 08:42 AM
Interesting thing! I just checked all 3 of our ZX12R's (02) And they all have this sand in the bottom of the air box behind the ram tubes??!?!? What the hell???? We haven't driven anywhere where there is this type of sand!! It has to be from the manufacturing process when they either sand blast the frame before paint etc. It could be over the miles that the sand works it's way through tiny holes or? and the tremendous sucking pulling this through the frame? What does Kawasaki have to say? Extreeme Lean? I have K&N's and the others have stock. All have about 4000 miles on them.
Hopefully the 10R won't have this weird problem.
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"Ya Gotta Have Big Ones!"
speeddemons.com
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TurboBlew

Moderator
BUSY DOING THE SCHIAVO
Posts: 4590
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posted April 03, 2004 09:07 AM
THe stock filters leak. Just saturate the foam with some K&N oil or waterproof grease and that should help fill any voids.
BMC filters are easier to remove than K&Ns. The pleats seem to be abit wider on the BMCs too.
Dont know if you've seen this photo before... but
Stock, K&N, BMC
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Official Charter Member of the RIDERS OF KAWASAKI MEMBERSHIP REVOCATION CLUB
Also a BadAss Internet Forum Moderator 4 Hire!! Come at me brah!
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tbird_94
Parking Attendant
Posts: 7
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posted May 30, 2004 07:05 PM
Which filter is best?
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TurboBlew

Moderator
BUSY DOING THE SCHIAVO
Posts: 4590
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posted May 30, 2004 09:15 PM
You cant tell from looking?? Third on the right... BMC!!!!
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Official Charter Member of the RIDERS OF KAWASAKI MEMBERSHIP REVOCATION CLUB
Also a BadAss Internet Forum Moderator 4 Hire!! Come at me brah!
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WarpSpeed
Parking Attendant
Posts: 10
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posted May 31, 2004 04:23 PM
Ok, time to get some BMC's for my 12. I just pulled the inspection ports after 700 miles and although it's clean, I'd rather be overly protective with my new 04.
I found BMC's online store and saw 2 filters listed....street and race. What's the difference?
They're listed as something like $72.00 each! Is that full retail? Who's selling these for the best price?
Thanks.
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pdb1964

Zone Head
Posts: 536
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posted May 31, 2004 09:57 PM
I want some too!
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kawpower
Zone Head
Mr kawasaki 2 you!
Posts: 887
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posted June 01, 2004 06:07 AM
Its casting sand, took a brand new 12r off the floor it had sand in it, never been started.
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Zaphod Breeblebox
Expert Class
Posts: 117
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posted June 01, 2004 08:03 AM
I'm still running the stock air filters on my 2000 ZX-12R. The first time I pulled the filters to clean them (at 2500 miles, if memory serves) I also had some grit in the airbox, downstream of the filters.
I oiled the foam on the perimeter of the filters and have not observed the problem since.
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Zaphod
Y2K ZX-12R
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zxfingyz
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted October 17, 2004 02:47 PM
I just pulled the air filters out and looked in the air box of my 00 and lo and behold.
Sand. That is some disconncerting shit I will tell you. Sure enough stock filters with no grease on the foam. Careful wiping with a rag to get that junk out of there do the trick? Seems like BMC is the answer from above
any suggestions on where to get em for less?
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Canadamaxxer

Pro
Posts: 1090
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posted October 17, 2004 04:10 PM
Starcycle sold them to me for $109 (a pair) for the race versions.
starcycle.com
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