Starfox07

For some reason (I really have no idea what it is, or how it got there) my entire airbox is covered in this sort of black, silicone-like sticky substance that's melted and semi-liquid pooling in the flatspots of the airbox. It's even dripped out and onto the fender.

I think it originated from the air filter that was in it before I ordered my K&N. I'm not sure whether the substance came from the rubber sides of that filter itself(it was pretty screwed up) or whether somebody tried to seal it with black silicone.

Either way, I'm guessing, the heat of the engine chemically "altered" it so it just stays this very, very slow moving liquid that's like impossible to physically remove with any kind of scraper. (Unless you want to take years doing it)

Any way to chemically remove it? I've taken the box out of the car (there was none in VAM thank god) and I want to clean it. Anybody ever dealt with a problem like this?

Dave Meyers

Never dealt with that in an airbox, but in similar situations I have used my wife's hair dryer to soften up the substance for easier removal. Maybe heat it up with a hair dryer or heat gun then try a plastic scraper. I don't remember if the airbox is metal or plastic. If plastic, don't warp it with too much heat.

Starfox07

Its metal. The problem is that its already soft and goopy, and really hard to remove because it just sticks to EVERYTHING. I can't even get it off my fingers using fast orange.

bstrange99

I have a similar problem occasionally with my k&n. My thoughts have always been that it's probably something to do with the recharge oil and the heat. I've always had GOOD luck removing it from the carb hat and my hands with simple green.

Starfox07

Simple green, thanks. I'll give it a try.

OneRotor

iTrader: (3)

Dry Ice FTW. it'll freeze it and make it very brittle.

Starfox07

If the simple green doesn't work I'll try this. I really don't want to have to buy a new airbox b/c of this.

Glazedham42

iTrader: (4)

Gasoline. I'd bet $10 that gasoline will take it right off of there...

DivinDriver

iTrader: (15)

Brake Cleaner.

Melts many paints, though, so if it's painted, it may not be when you're done. I have yet to find ANY goo that brake cleaner won't dissolve. Some baked epoxy paints will stand up to it, but that's about all.

Wear gloves - - it'll dry your skin out bad. It'll eat thru thru latex surgical gloves in about 5 minutes.

Starfox07

Well it looks like I have plenty of things to try, thanks for the input guys.

blackdeath647

iTrader: (2)

one more thing Strypeeze

it's a paint remover, so it'll definitely get rid of your paint so i only recommend using it where it's not really visible/important, but the thing works wonders i've used to remove all kinds of stuff like the teflon paste, paint, silicon, gorilla glue, you name it

Starfox07

Brake cleaner and simple green had no effect on the substance whatsoever. The brake cleaner was beginning to eat through the paint, but it did absolutely nothing to the rubber/tar **** in the airbox. I resorted to using a flathead screwdriver and the simple green under a running faucet to get the majority of it out. I doubt I'll ever be able to get it all out. I rank it up there with broken head bolts and stuck pilot bearings on the annoyance scale. Patience...its a damned virtue.

bstrange99

Maybe the "substance" is like flubber. It's gotta have some use. Harvest it, expirement with it, and patent it........YOU"LL BE RICH!!!!

nobodymv

iTrader: (3)

Hey Star...as you know by responding to my thread, I am having a similar problem in MY airbox. I have a stock filter and no a K&N, but I think maybe the previous owner may have had one in there.
Tomorrow morning, I am going to try some Formula 88 I have in the garage. I will let you know the results.

DivinDriver

iTrader: (15)

Wow, one for the books. Maybe they should MAKE the cars outa that stuff...

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

There aren't many chemicals that will dissolve rubber or partially softened rubber. As mentioned earlier, dry ice may be your best shot for removal.

Starfox07

I saw this stuff at pepboys in a can that is supposed to 'freeze' bolts so that they can be more easily removed. I wonder if that would work? I imagine its the same thing as whats in those canned air things.

nobodymv

iTrader: (3)

Formula 8 worked great !! Give it a try on yours star!

djessence

Might make it a bit easier but more than likely will stiffen it slightly but not enough to make life easy. Dry ice isnt to expensive....

Starfox07

well nobody said that Formula 88 worked, so I'll try that next.

blackdeath647

iTrader: (2)

there you go man, i'm sure he meant 88 lol

nobodymv

iTrader: (3)

You are ABSOLUTELY right, for I did state and mean Formula 88. I was a little nervous because it needs to be rinsed off and I did not want to risk getting water inside the engine. I have used it in the past to clean the engine, on ceramic tile as well as on the driveway and it works great. really nice for getting brake dust off as well.

Star - If you have tried it, let me know how it went. If you can't find it, look at Napa or a major auto parts chain, or as a last resort, you can go to there website direct at www.formula88.com

Glazedham42

iTrader: (4)

Just an FYI for you guys messing with your air cleaners. If you need to match the paint color or touch it up afterward, get some Duplicolor Ford Blue engine paint. It's a practically perfect match to factory blue color of the air cleaner.

Good luck with all your unknown substances.

Jamie

NCross

iTrader: (18)

On my FC when I first got it a few years ago the previous owner put a very cheap air filter in and the rubber seal was like GAK. Or a tar like goo maybe from the heat? It was all stuck up in the air box. Had to take some alcohol and acetone to it.

Clean it out and replace the filter.

djessence

Are you refering to the big blue carb air cleaner or the SE's air cleaner or both? (never actually seen/can recall what an Se's engine bay looks like)