Getting mosture in the engine through SE stage one air cleaner & extra noise?

[dfpk]

When doing the stage one upgrade to our 13 Tri-Glide I elected to use the stage one air cleaner that would allow me to keep the stock HD air cleaner cover so I would not need to use a rain sock. However, the new air cleaner base with the stock HD cover stuck out further than the original air cleaner and I had to "work" to keep my right leg off of it due to the heat. I changed it out to the SE low profile stage one air cleaner which not only looks better and doesn't stick out as far. However, now when really rolling on the throttle I can hear what sounds like air sucking into the engine through the air cleaner. Is this normal for the open type air cleaners? Also I now worry about getting moisture in the engine. Is this a real problem?

[rhino 2]

When doing the stage one upgrade to our 13 Tri-Glide I elected to use the stage one air cleaner that would allow me to keep the stock HD air cleaner cover so I would not need to use a rain sock. However, the new air cleaner base with the stock HD cover stuck out further than the original air cleaner and I had to "work" to keep my right leg off of it due to the heat. I changed it out to the SE low profile stage one air cleaner which not only looks better and doesn't stick out as far. However, now when really rolling on the throttle I can hear what sounds like air sucking into the engine through the air cleaner. Is this normal for the open type air cleaners? Also I now worry about getting moisture in the engine. Is this a real problem?

My 11 T/G with the open type air cleaner makes the same sound, As a matter of fact any vehicle with an open air cleaner will make the sucking sound, As far as water getting in I've ridden in rain many times without a problem..

[DK Custom Products]

Yes, hearing an open air cleaner sucking is normal. The plastic box that HD puts on the back of the air cleaner is not for performance...it is to make the bike quieter for EPA noise standards.<br />
<br />
A little water going into the intake is not going to harm the engine.<br />
<br />
I ride in the rain quite a bit...no issues. If it is raining hard, for an extended period, I use the rain sock.<br />
<br />
Here's a pic of a <a href="http://www.dkcustomproducts.com/Twin-Cam-Model-Air-Cleaner-Systems_c78.htm" target="_blank"><font color="#DAA520">Hi-Flow 587</font></a> on my TG.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://www.dkcustomproducts.com/media/ACTriCrmB1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
Kevin

[msocko3]

As others have said its perfectly normal to gear air being drawn in due to the open element. A little water won't hurt a thing.

[jaxbobg]

Man, it's hard to believe that an HD rider would admit that his engine SUCKS!!

That's got to be one of the strangest things I've heard in a while, but then again, I've never owned a Harley (oh yes, I've shared the road with many a HD rider. Never met one I didn't like.)

[rap47]

I have the SE Heavy Breather on my 2011 Tri Glide, It really SUCKS!! LOL

[Trent]

My SE Extreme breather sucks big time too. It sucks way more than my Ness Big Sucker sucked! It really sucks loud while climbing up a steep long grade. I don't worry about a medium amount of rain, but I keep the rain sock that came with it in a zip lock bag in my right lower fairing glove box, and can stop and slip it on if needed without even getting off the Trike.

[dfpk]

Thanks to all for the info. The can of worms I opened about getting moisture in the engine through the air cleaner during rain was caused by an article I read in a Harley dealership's monthly magazine in Florida written by the service manager who stated he has found water in the oil HD's that had been ridden in the rain. He actually recommends draining "all" the oil in the bike at 1000 miles if it has been ridden in the rain a lot. Sounded a little too extreme to me.

[Sloufoot]

Man, it's hard to believe that an HD rider would admit that his engine SUCKS!!

That's got to be one of the strangest things I've heard in a while, but then again, I've never owned a Harley (oh yes, I've shared the road with many a HD rider. Never met one I didn't like.)

Better look out passing a Harley on the right side,,,,,, It will suck the paint right off a Beemer....! LOL !

[msocko3]

Thanks to all for the info. The can of worms I opened about getting moisture in the engine through the air cleaner during rain was caused by an article I read in a Harley dealership's monthly magazine in Florida written by the service manager who stated he has found water in the oil HD's that had been ridden in the rain. He actually recommends draining "all" the oil in the bike at 1000 miles if it has been ridden in the rain a lot. Sounded a little too extreme to me.

If he found water in the oil the bikes or trikes must have been ridden in the swamp. I've ridden in some pretty serious rain for days and never found any water in the oil, it just can't survive the trip through the combustion camber unless your drowning the poor thing and then it won't be running.

I was caught in a down pour one year with the 2010 Triglide I had which I installed the SE Ventilator. It was raining so hard cars were pulling over, the rain sock didn't do much for it. Every time I would try to accelerate the engine would cough and buck because it was drawing in to much water. I never found any traces of water or moisture in the oil. If anything can get water in it I would say its the transmission due to the possibility of it making its way through the vent hose. I've never found any signs of water in the transmission when I've drained it.

I think the service manager is full of it and is trying to increase service work and oil sales.

[trikermutha]

if there was water in the oil would it burn off the water after you get the oil up to temperature? That if there was water in the oil..

[rap47]

Thanks to all for the info. The can of worms I opened about getting moisture in the engine through the air cleaner during rain was caused by an article I read in a Harley dealership's monthly magazine in Florida written by the service manager who stated he has found water in the oil HD's that had been ridden in the rain. He actually recommends draining "all" the oil in the bike at 1000 miles if it has been ridden in the rain a lot. Sounded a little too extreme to me.

I think I would have to raise the BS flag on that one!

[Oldmsocko]

if there was water in the oil would it burn off the water after you get the oil up to temperature? That if there was water in the oil..

You are correct. If there did happen to be water in the oil once the engine got up to operating temperature the water would flash off.