Air Filter Problem

[sharpy]

Having recently read a number of posts regarding cleaning of pipercross air filters, I thought I''d have a go today. However horror of horrors, on removing said air filter I discovered that the lower part was soaked in what seemed to be engine oil!! I had a look and feel up the air hose and this seemed oily, as if the oil was dripping down it. Is this a serious problem? I do sprint the car so the oil level is kept full if not slightly over full to try to prevent oil surge round fast long corners. Is there an overflow/breather pipe that excess oil might be squirting through? Thanks in anticipation of your replies, David S.

[LeeBee]

From what I understand the rubber hose that is connected between the rocker breather (oil filler cap)to the air filter is there to recycle the emmisions that vent from the engine as NEW cars have to meet strict regulations.Well as the other S's they are not new cars so ditch the rubber hose (new air filters do not come with the take off for the hose) and put a small crank case breather on the oil filler cap outlet. Cheers LeeBee

[johno]

That's what I've done upon seeing exactly what Lee had done with his. Once I had replaced the air filter I got rid of the breather hose after having to thoroughly clean the air flow meters which were getting full of crud. I've had the car through the MOT with it like it and can't recommend it strongly enough. Cheers Mark

[sharpy]

Thanks for the replies Lee and Mark. Only being very basically technically minded, how have you set up your breather pipe after it attaches to the oil filler cap? Is it just a short open bit of pipe directed upwards to prevent oil leakage? or do you attach something to the end of it? My local motor factor reckons it might fail it's emissions part of the MOT if they see an open pipe coming off the oil filler cap? All help gratefully received, Regards, David

[LeeBee]

I will take a picture of my set-up tomorrow and send it to you.Mine passed without any problems Cheers LeeBee

[johno]

Mines the same as Lee's, so wait for the piccy. Haven't gone through the MOT yet but the emissions are within tolerance anyway. Cheers Mark

[Phil L]

Resurrecting this thread.

I am about to replace the Air Filter and hose from rocker breather to air filter. However, if you are saying that the new filter (Pipercross filter No.3004-parts list) doesn't come with the 'take-off' for the hose would be keen to see the pictures of the small crank case breather mod you made.

Would I be right to assume it possible to attach the old 'take-off' to the new filter, or would this damage it in some way ?

Cheers
Phil

[M@H]

Can I join the picture queue please... sounds like a job I should be doing too...

[johno]

Err.....Haven't got a picture at mo'. Lee may have one though... I'll se what I can sort out.

Cheers

Mark

[vodkakid]

could i have a piccy to please

[johno]

Anyone going to Duxford with a digital camera ???

[LeeBee]

Should have a pic, I will look later

Cheers

LeeBee

[Justin S]

with my Westfield,I had an aluminium breather tank made which fumed the breather pipe and collected and oil film/oil.This then was dropped out a drain hole and into my oil bin.It didnt breath that much oil and the pot was about a litre size.I also made up a breather for the gearbox,which I brazed in a piece of 15mm pipe to the inspection plate and that then went into the tank.I will do the same with just the engine breather on the Tiv and mount the tank somewhere near the squirter bottle.

[shpub]

The 520 uses a custom built direct injection plastic breather bottle for lightness.

Cost 79 p from the local Quality Discount store for a wide screw top bottle and then I drilled the appropriate holes in it. Clear so you see when to empty it and the screw top is easy to undo.

[johno]

I know a man who uses a Sprite bottle ! Works an absolute treat...

[Paceracing]

That'll be me then! It's my secret weapon for a demon track day car.
P.S. I don't know if this applies for sprinting, but in racing the catch tank needs to have a minimum capacity of 1 litre of oil and the container must have a clearly visible level indication. For the Fiesta racecar I use an old windscrren washer bottle as it fits MSA blue book regs perfectly.

Jas.

[johno]

This is a point I should bring up about the 'to atmosphere' breather filter....and why I shall be using a Diet Coke with Lemon bottle on my next track day.... (Diet coke with Lemon is much faster than Sprite!)

During a track day the engine is obviously being used very enthusiastically and therefor the engine breathes more heavily. What I found is that with the atmosphere filter amount the engine is breathing creates a drip or mist of oil which then fell onto the chassis rail which then trickled forward under braking and out top the wheel .....

There was never anywhere near enough that it ever caused me a problem and I only noticed this due to the wheel arch having a line of oil sprayed onto it from the wheel. It really only takes a very small amount obviously...The oil level at then end of the day hadn't moved noticeably at all..

Therefor I will be using a Diet Coke bottle next time as this will catch any oil as the name suggests and also will allow me too gauge the amount the engine breathes during the day...which should prove interesting.

During normal road use this does not occur at all. The outside of the filter does show evidence of the breathing that is taking place and occasionally needs a wipe over.

The road use level (wipe over) and the track day breathing further evidence why this mod is a great idea IMHO. Otherwise all this crud would be going over my AFM's and Temp Resistors and mucking that lot up !

Just thought I'd mention it...

Cheers

Mark