Very Bad News

[05greenmachine]

I wouldnt be that upset. on my KFX400 i ran it a full day of racing with no air filter at all. I couldnt figure out why it felt like it was running lean and hot. Bike still runs great. Your cylinder shouldn't really get scratched from sand coming in since it comes in and get shot right out but it can scare your valves. Aslong as it feels like its running fine and isnt smoking you should be fine. If you want you could compression test the cylinder. You can get a cheap tester at autozone for like $40 and you need it with a 10mm adaptor. The service manaul says stock compression should be between 45 and 82 but i would say its shouldnt be any lower then 65-70. Mines actaully up at 95psi.

[Slaytanic454]

Don't let something like a loose intake boot change your opinion on the Kawi; the KFX is still an awesome machine. I looked at every single one of the 450's for a long time, and went with this one. (EFI, reverse, looks badass, it's got a proven Kawi 450 motor in it, aluminum frame, etc etc)

Sticking a borescope down into the cylinder and checking the compression would tell one way or another if it did any damage, and is probably good idea.

But that sucks man. The dealer should help you out with this I would assume, that's definitely a product of poor assembly. I never had that problem, and ran the stock intake for a few months.

[DirtyDawg]

Never, NEVER trust that some monkey that you dont know has done his job correctly assembeling your bike. I bought both my quads brand new. The very first thing I did with both was to pop the plastics off and start checking everything (nuts,bolts,electrical connections) looked to make sure all the wiring and cables were routed so they wern't rubbing or being pulled. I found a few nuts and a couple of screws needed tightening. I just don't trust that some minimum wage wannabe wrench jockey that's more than likely is the shop owners nephew (or something to that effect) has done a perfect job on assembely. Especially when I'm going to have my arse or someone elses that I care about riding the thing. Preventitive maintainence starts the second you get the bike home from the stealership. It's not a Kawi problem or a Yamaha problem...

[kfxadmin]

Quote: Originally Posted by 05greenmachine

The service manaul says stock compression should be between 45 and 82 but i would say its shouldnt be any lower then 65-70. Mines actaully up at 95psi.

Man, that's a huge range for acceptable compression!

I wouldn't worry to much about the filter, do an oil change and you'll be fine

Imagine how much dirt and dust particles get into this thing from years of riding in terrible conditions... an air filter can only do so much and things are going to get past no matter what.

[Kett18]

Abyss, I wouldn't be too worried about this. I had this happen to my Z400 when I first got it. We ride in the same areas and when I bumped it up to a 440 the cylinder and valves looked good. If compression is good you should be fine!

Hey, I also tried to send you an email about going to Woodland this coming weekend. Don't know if it went through but if you are interested PM me and I'll give you more details.

[ononewheel]

ya man dont worry too much thats happened to me on my 400 ex the boot going from carb to airbox was half off and for a few weeks my quad ran like shit till i finally figured it out!since then the quad has ran perfect!dont stress man kawis still rule!

[kfxadmin]

Quote: Originally Posted by Kett18

Abyss, I wouldn't be too worried about this. I had this happen to my Z400 when I first got it. We ride in the same areas and when I bumped it up to a 440 the cylinder and valves looked good. If compression is good you should be fine!

Hey, I also tried to send you an email about going to Woodland this coming weekend. Don't know if it went through but if you are interested PM me and I'll give you more details.

You should create a Social Group for your area, that makes regional communication much easier!

http://www.kfx450hq.com/forums/groups/

[bauenkfx]

yeah I probably dont need to tell you now but those have a tendencey to come loose. I would take it to the dealership and tell them they didnt tighten it and they need to do whatever to take care of it maybe extend your warranty for free or something along those lines. I know people have been trying to bust your balls about oiling the filter but if you have a nice even coat all over it and AROUND THE EDGE THAT SEALS TO THE INTAKE AT THE FRONT OF THE AIR BOX. Sorry about your luck but I think if you get her tightened back up clean filter change oil and have the shop check it out you should be alright man.

[250ftabyss]

I started a social group for local washington riders but there was something saying there needed to be a link to another website or forum i think not sure but i tried.

[250ftabyss]

Thank you for all the posotive response but i still fell uneasy about what has happened. I know for a fact not that when i rode in mud and the engine was cutting out it was the intake eating the shit up not the need for di-electric grease. As well when the windstorm hit in eastern WA last weekend while i was riding the quad was cutting out as well probably from particles (dust, sand) entering the engine in mass quantities.

On another note my FCI intake arrived today and i wonder why the hell Kawasaki dont use these things from the start its freekin awesome. One question though is the FCI supposed to come with a rubber connector from intake tube to throttle body or you use the stock rubber tube?