Spark arrestors can get dirty and the fins full of "gunk" which can reduce airflow. every one I've seen is made of metal, so all you have to do is take it off and clean it with some degreaser, let it dry and re-install it.
Carburator cleaner works best for me. One large can usually cleans three times. I clean it in the Spring and mid season, you might be surprised how much carbon build up accumulates. if this is the first time you've done it, you might need a full can.
have ya priced a flame arrester lately? talk about over priced. as long as the K&N has a USCG approval number its ok. still have to clean/replace it. just to easy to clean the standard one occasionally. in fact I actually think its a part of the periodic maint chart.
These are a little pricey compared to what I payed for mine ($28.00) but here is all the info you wanted. USCG Approved -http://www.knfilters.com/marine/flamearrester.htm
I'm not sure how carbon could clog one up, carbon is a product of combustion and it's sure not in the cylinder. I have seen them get clogged a lot with debris from the belts due to rusty pulleys, and oil residue from the breathers, but they wash out with solvent and when blown out with compresses air are good as new.
When I had to clean mine I had a solvent for cleaning air conditioner coils.<br /><br />Mix it with water in a bucket, put the spark arrester in to soak, then rinse. Clean as can be.<br /><br />Forget what I paid for it, but think it was pretty cheap, and a bottle lasts forever.<br /><br />Don S - you do a lot with engines - have you ever trid this stuff?
I live in Alaske, What's an air conditioner? <br /><br />As I mentioned, I just use standard cleaning solvent found in most mechanics shops (even diesel fuel works) and use compressed air to blow out the gunk. It's always worked for me.
K+N (just go to the website) has filters for EVERYTHING. And you only have to buy one. They are reuseable for life. I still have 50% of my "Filtercharger" oil left in a small can I bought in 1985, that I use on the Harleys. Also more efficient, but we would be splitting hairs on a boat. And 'Surplusman", have you priced a stock arrestor lately? WHOA, thats TOO much too!
I have to throw another 2 cents worth in here. I have nothing against K&N filters, I have used them on every Vette and hi performance STREET car I have ever owned. The reason is that they restrict air flow much less than any PAPER type air-cleaner on a CAR. Any flame arrestor that I have seen on a boat is far less restrictive than a paper air cleaner. Unless I am missing something here I just don't see a benefit to replacing the flame arrestor with a K&N unit.
some might feel the need to filter the air entering their boat engines pretty much like they feel the need to filter the air entering their car engines..<br /><br />i know boats dont operate in the desert but i do find the fact that boat engines arnt filtered a little odd...???<br /><br />if cars need air filters how come boats dont..???<br /><br />trog100
On the K+N subject, I believe the yellow, reds, and blues by other makers are the same thing, as the patent from K+N I think has expired. And agreed Water1....flame arresters flow 100% more air than any cotton or paper
"Probably because boats don't follow each other down dusty country roads?"<br /><br />neither do all cars.. and there is a remarkable amount of dust floating in the atmosphere at times.. it dont all come from "dusty county roads"..<br /><br />trog100
<br /><br />As I mentioned, I just use standard cleaning solvent found in most mechanics shops (even diesel fuel works) and use compressed air to blow out the gunk. It's always worked for me.
