V85TT Air Filter/Air Box/Fine Dust Intrusion

[yrunvs]

I've seen posts on various Guzzi sights about an issue with fine dust making it past the air filter because of the precarious air box filter fit/construction. Is this an issue? and if so, is there a remedy?

[Grabcon]

I have seen similar threads on a different sight. I have a 2020 V855TT and have not seen this issue. Mine has nearly 14k miles and have check the air filter three times. No dust issues.

[yrunvs]

Thanks for that,    I'll keep an eye on my (new to me 2022 V85TT) air filter.

[janguzzi]

It is an issue, see my video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRgw4cHcfF0

Possible cure:
The airbox cover of the new 2024 models has indeed been improved, but unfortunately it does not fit into the previous E4 and E5 models. The shape of the back is more protruding - the bevel is not there.
Meanwhile the spare parts catalogs for the E5+ (2024) models are available online, e.g.:
https://www.af1racing.com/v85-e5-oem-parts-catalogs
Maybe these parts could solve the problem:
1. battery box: 2B011780
2. battery holder: 2B011781 + 3x AP8150509 self-tap screw 5x14
3. filter holder (aka airbox lid): 2B011834

[Grabcon]

janguzzi, I watch your video and I believe that I have not had issues is because of the K&N air filter. It was on the bike when I bought it and it does seat quite snugly in the housing.

[janguzzi]

Unfortunately the K&N is the only one with that groove and a bit larger dimensions that seem to seal the airbox lid much better. Normally you would think an OEM paper filter filters best because K&N and BMC were were built to let more air through. 

Airbox lids in comparison:
2019-2023 vs 2024

[yrunvs]

Unfortunately the K&N is the only one with that groove and a bit larger dimensions that seem to seal the airbox lid much better. Normally you would think an OEM paper filter filters best because K&N and BMC were were built to let more air through. 

Airbox lids in comparison:
2019-2023 vs 2024

I think I'd rather have a filter that fits better like the KN than an OEM filter that does not fit well and contributes to dust ingressing the airbox. I know many folks have strong negative opinions on KN filters but many many folks swear by them. Like anything else the loud minority tends to drive the narrative.

[Caffeineo]

I am a bit conflicted on this. If I take the filter out to see if dust has gotten past the seal I am then faced with the challenge of getting it back on correctly. If there was nothing getting past the seal and despite my best attempt I do not get it to seal properly I will then get what I do not want. If there is dust getting past the seal I then have the challenge of making sure I fix what was wrong. Unfortunately I am finding my mechanical skills decreasing as I age. :( My fear is that this will be one of those easy 30 minute jobs that I end up struggling with for hours. Maybe I am just over thinking this.

[yrunvs]

At some point the OEM air filter will need to be replaced that would be a good time to check out whats going on as far as dust infiltration. I'm pretty sure the replacement process is straight forward. If you don't have an issue then nothing lost but if in fact you detect that dirt is getting past the filter (which has been reported and is not at all desirable) then you can take action. The jist of what I am getting is that a better fitting filter like a KN along with air filter grease in the fitting groove or even an OEM filter with grease will fix the problem.
If you don't do your own wrenching then simply ask your mechanic to check for it.

[mondtster]

My airbox allowed dust to bypass the filter. After looking at the airbox design for a while, I don't believe the air filter seal itself is the problem, although a less restrictive filter such as a K&N might help reduce the likelihood of air and dust bypassing the filter. The problem to me appears to be the airbox itself and the way the two halves of it come together. The seal for the two halves is on the clean side of the air filter and it relies on the tabs at the bottom of the air box wedging the two halves together creating a seal. The wedges aren't tight enough to create an adequate seal, but they really can't be tightened either and expect someone to be able to manage to get the two halves of the box snapped together successfully.

I'm not terribly impressed with the design but right now I also haven't thought of any good method of improving on what is there.

[guzziart]

I just replaced the the oe air filter with another oem air filter.  While the airbox was disassembled I noticed the "fine dust" discussed in this thread.  The bike was sold new in 1/24, I bought it used in 9/24 with about 1500 miles on it, it now has about 5500 miles on it.  Anyway I rinsed out the filter holder half of the box with water and wiped out the other half with a damp rag.  It was easy to clean, I did not detect any dust in the throttle body or "white" horn inlet.  Before installing the filter into the holder half of the box I greased up the soft seal with silicone grease, then applied some high temp wheel bearing grease to the groove of the groove half of the box.  The groove half of the box did have the factory sealing rubber in the groove. I'm hoping the grease will help improve sealing/stop dust intrusion but will not know for another 4-6K miles I guess.
Anyone else with e4/e5 bike doing something more proactive besides a K & N?
Art

[yrunvs]

slathering filter grease on all mating surfaces/seams and doing my best during reassembly seems to help. I believe the newer v85tt has an improved air box design.

[guzziart]

slathering filter grease on all mating surfaces/seams and doing my best during reassembly seems to help. I believe the newer v85tt has an improved air box design.

Agreed!  While I didn't overly slather grease in the groove, I did notice a slight amount squish out at the joint.  I plan on digging in there again at the next 6k service interval, not so much as to replace the air filter but to monitor dust.  fwiw, although I replaced the filter, the original was clean.  Also, I didn't notice a "dust trail" between the filter foam seal & housing which leads me to think the major culprit is the tongue & groove seal.  Oh well, thanks for the response!
Art

[yrunvs]

Also, I take a clean cotton ex tshirt soaked with throttle body intake solvent and clean out the intake/butterfly. You will probably find that the cloth will come out soiled.

[janguzzi]

Improved V85 TT E5+ 2024 Airbox on an E5 Model

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfcNOVPwzu0

[guzziart]

Agreed!  While I didn't overly slather grease in the groove, I did notice a slight amount squish out at the joint.  I plan on digging in there again at the next 6k service interval, not so much as to replace the air filter but to monitor dust.  fwiw, although I replaced the filter, the original was clean.  Also, I didn't notice a "dust trail" between the filter foam seal & housing which leads me to think the major culprit is the tongue & groove seal.  Oh well, thanks for the response!
Art

Well, I've put another 2500 miles on the Travel since the air filter change and I'm still getting "dust" between the filter & engine.  Have any of you that have this problem contacted the dealer or MG?  Or attempted to improve the sealing between the tongue & groove joint?

[Motormike]

slathering filter grease on all mating surfaces/seams and doing my best during reassembly seems to help. I believe the newer v85tt has an improved air box design.

This.  Back in the day, Kawasaki had a very similar problem, and every owner of the affected bikes (including me) would slather grease on the edges of the filter and lid to improve the seal. Cheap and seemed to help.

[yrunvs]

Also,  when I check/change the filter I wipe out the throttle body including the butter fly valve with a cotton rag drenched with throttle body cleaner. You'd be surprised with the gunk I get out it's not copious but it's there.

[guzziart]

This.  Back in the day, Kawasaki had a very similar problem, and every owner of the affected bikes (including me) would slather grease on the edges of the filter and lid to improve the seal. Cheap and seemed to help.

Also, I take a clean cotton ex tshirt soaked with throttle body intake solvent and clean out the intake/butterfly. You will probably find that the cloth will come out soiled.

Thanks for the quick reply.  Yeah, I greased up the replacement filter, washed the removable half of filter housing and wiped out the stationary portion.  The throttle body & butterfly were spotless then and is today, the bike has just under 8k miles on it.