Air Filter Flooding - with water- blockage

Fungiwungi Learner Dubber

5 posts · joined Feb 2011 · 14 Feb 2011, 6:36 pm

#826389

Hello all,
Forgive the lack of proper terminology, I have a complete lack of mechanical savvy.
I recently bought a 1973 Superbug. It has a K&N air filter that gets flooded when it rains as water gets in through the ventilation gaps in the lid of the boot.
My car turns over but wont actually start now. I think it may be because water has gotten into that thing connected to the thing thats attached to the air filter. (helpful right? 🥲 )
Have you had this problem?
How did you fix it?
Im considering somehow sealing off the ventillation gaps but am worried that it will, quite possibly, not help in regards to ventillation.

waveman1500 Also rides a Honda

1,346 posts · joined Dec 2009 · 14 Feb 2011, 7:12 pm

#826397

Is your air cleaner assembly still there? Do you mean a K&N panel filter in the factory airbox or just a pod filter? If you've got a pod filter, then that is your problem. Throw it away and put the factory airbox back on, it won't cost you any horsepower I promise.

1972 VW S-Bug - For Sale!
1968-onwards Beetle panels and glass for sale

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 14 Feb 2011, 7:17 pm

#826400

If it's got a stock carb on it then best thing you can do is toss that pretty aftermarket one out and put a stock one back on.

Theres a good chance though its not water in the carb causing the problem, it's the points in the distributor getting wet

vwo60 Veteran Volks Folk

2,036 posts · joined Feb 2007 · 15 Feb 2011, 7:14 pm

#826565

If the filter is exposed to the elements it can get wet when it rains, this makes the mixture so rich the car will not start, if you want to keep the K&N you could make a cover out of a container like a piece tupperware, you can fasten it through the top of the air filter with a bolt, a couple of mudguard washers and a nyloc nut, this will keep the rain of the filter, or you could get a rain deflector that came on some of the super bugs that fit under the louvers on the engine cover.

Lucky Phil Wolfsburg Wizard

480 posts · joined Aug 2010 · 22 Feb 2011, 7:46 pm

#827703

There is a panel you can get which fits inside the decklid.It collects and drains the water to the bottom of the lid.
Works a treat. Wouldn't know where to source one though.

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 23 Feb 2011, 12:06 pm

#827796

vwo60 wrote:If the filter is exposed to the elements it can get wet when it rains, this makes the mixture so rich the car will not start, if you want to keep the K&N you could make a cover out of a container like a piece tupperware, you can fasten it through the top of the air filter with a bolt, a couple of mudguard washers and a nyloc nut, this will keep the rain of the filter, or you could get a rain deflector that came on some of the super bugs that fit under the louvers on the engine cover.

the rain deflectors that fitted inside the two vent engine lids were not on Supers...
Only on 1500 NON Supers...

You can buy a plastic cover that fits over the 4 sets of vents.
on the outside.... these are very popular in the UK...

Lee

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 23 Feb 2011, 12:11 pm

#827798

Fungiwungi wrote:Hello all,
Forgive the lack of proper terminology, I have a complete lack of mechanical savvy.
I recently bought a 1973 Superbug. It has a K&N air filter that gets flooded when it rains as water gets in through the ventilation gaps in the lid of the boot.
My car turns over but wont actually start now. I think it may be because water has gotten into that thing connected to the thing thats attached to the air filter. (helpful right? 🥲 )
Have you had this problem?
How did you fix it?
Im considering somehow sealing off the ventillation gaps but am worried that it will, quite possibly, not help in regards to ventillation.

Do NOT cover the air vents... they are there for a purpose...
to keep Your engine cool....
Your engine will over heat without them unless its very cold..

The K&N Filter needs to be away from water...
as do all Air Filters excepting the original VW Ones...

Water Blocks off ALL AIR..... so the engine cannot breathe...

Best air filter is an original oil bath type as used on most beetles... find one for a 68 - 72 model beetle...

Rain and water proof.... never needs replacing....

LEE

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---