K & N for Yanmar 2GM

[wufibugs]

I was looking at the discussion on the Catalina forum about different filter setups. After noting that the foam element in my OEM filter had disappeared into the intake, I took some measurements and wetn to the K & N website but could not find a filter that looked like an easy adaptation. For the time being, I fashoned a new filter element out of some motorcycle filter foam, but am now thinking it is pretty dense stuff and may be better at filtration than allowing a free flow of air. Since the boat environment is less demanding of filtration, I am still looking for a better option.
Wonder if anyone is running a K & N on their Yanmar 2GM and if so, which one. Did you have to make some kind of adaptor in place of the original filter? A suggestion in the other thread was that because diesels love air, the largest filter that can be fitted is the most ideal. Is there agreement on that?

 

[sailaway78]

K & N knockoff

I gave a K & N knock off on my 3 gm. Came from Pep Boys. The one I have fits perfectly into the stock filter can. Take your can with you, and do some looking.

 

[Mikem]

I spoke with the K and N folks, who tired hard to help, but without giving them actual dimensions they had nothing on the shelf or in development for my engine...76hp Yanmar.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Many filters sit atop the engine over a round tube. Measure the tube and check with K&N. If it's on the side, I can't help you.

 

[wufibugs]

Yea, Stu, the 2GM series has the filter on the side. The cannister bolts flat against the head. I was thinking of fabricating an adapter to accept a cone type K & N knockoff

 

[Steve Dion]

I am not sure how important these filters are. The engine compartment is realtively clean. The metal basket inside the canister is really only for noise suppression. I don't think most owners bother to replace the foam filter. It just gets injested into the engine again and again....

 

[rardiH36]

Soon after I bought my boat, I did replace the foam rubber air filter. Can't remember though where I got it.

Next time, I will just go to ACE, buy a furnace filter. (Actually I still have most of one from which I cut off a piece for the vent filter on my car.) Cut some of it off to an appropriate size and place it on the inside of the metal air filter fitting on my Yanmar 2Qm20 ... but outside of the interior perforated fitting that has all the holes.

I would venture that all the engine needs is something to prevent any slugs of particulates from entering the air intake. But also doesn't constrain the air flow.

This solution has to be just as good as using the Yanmar OEM piece of foam rubber "sponge".

 

[wufibugs]

Steve, I just don't have the nerve to eliminate the filter altogether, nor am I thrilled with putting something different in the cannister that may end up as lunch for the engine. I am thinking that a small engine or motorcycle engine header flange might fit. Have to measure my cannister and troll ebay to see if I can find a match. Then a cone filter to fit would have me sleeping soundly again.

 

[seadaddler]

K&N

One of the K&N filters can be used by taking the whole filter can off and using one those K&N filters that just clamp on to a round 3'' or 4'' hose and I think you just need a reducing hose that uses clamps to hold everything on tto the intake.
I am not sure who showed one on a marine engine here and maybe it was mainsail not sure.
Nick

 

[MSter]

Check the K & N site for info on their universal filter model #RU-0370.
This is the one recommended by Maine Sail.
Best of Luck
Mike

 

[rpwillia]

Rc-2540

We are using the K&N RC-2450 on our Universal M25-XPBs. Just fits right on and clamps down, Looks real nice too. Just measure the opening like they said and there will be one to fit your boat.

 

[ifmdalvey]

My 3JH has no filter, it has the metal cover where you would expect one but when i asked in the Yanmar shop about a foam insert, they said it was never fitted with one. I guess its a clean enough area that they are happy to do without.

 

[wufibugs]

The lower picture is the OEM Yanmar filter housing. After I found the original filter had deteriorated and been sucked into the intake turning the oil black, I replaced it with foam material made for a motorcycle filters. Wasn't really happy with that so I decided to have a new set up made. I used the old backing plate as a template and had a machine shop fabricate a new stainless flange. Machine shop work cost $20. I bought a stainless reducer on ebay for $7 so I could go from the stock 45mm intake to a larger 48 mm intake area. The machine shop welded it to the new flange. The stainless 52mm id filter was also bought on ebay for $8. Total cost was $35. Installing next weekend. Since many have pointed out that this is a pretty clean environment, one of the primary purposes of the filter is as a silencer. Won't know how effectively this functions until we motor sail.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I'm not quite sure what you're "silencing?"

 

[wufibugs]

Stu, I was just following Steve's comment about "noise suppression". I assume there is some similar level of intake noise as one finds on a car when the air filter is removed.

 

[Gunni]

Stu, I was just following Steve's comment about "noise suppression". I assume there is some similar level of intake noise as one finds on a car when the air filter is removed.

As Steve notes, the larger engines don't have traditional air filters. What they have are really silencers - a baffled metal intake can that lowers the intake roar. What are you guys sailing in that requires dust capture? I assume you keep a tight ship

I recommend you go commando!

 

[Sailm8]

Hee Hee he said commando

 

[Alan Gomes]

As Steve notes, the larger engines don't have traditional air filters. What they have are really silencers - a baffled metal intake can that lowers the intake roar. What are you guys sailing in that requires dust capture? I assume you keep a tight ship

I recommend you go commando!

There is dust that comes from the belts.

 

[kloudie1]

Air Cleaner

A friend's Westerbeke had a piston split vertically.. When we did the failure investigation, we found a very small piece of stainless embedded in the aluminum piston top. The stainless particle had initiated the crack which froze the engine on the way into the marina.. The stainless part was less than 1/16" long and about half that diameter.. maybe it was the tip of a wood screw .. we never could identify it.. His engine did not have a fine mesh strainer or air cleaner.. My opinion that filters were not needed changed after that !
Note.. Top clearance (top of piston to the head) on a Yanmar 3 GM is 27.6 thousandths of an inch.. Anything hard and bigger than that dimension will start damage.
EDit.. attached is a picture of some of that piston

 

[Tricia]

a mechanic once recommended to me

shaping and gluing a shop vac filter to fit the metal OEM filter frame.