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Air flow sensor cover is falling off!
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climberjohn
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Joined: January 11, 2005
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 3:51 pm    Post subject: Air flow sensor cover is falling off! Reply with quote

I was getting acquainted with the engine on my recently procured' 86 Westy yesterday. I wanted to check the air filter. In the process of getting the cover off, I very lightly tapped the cover on the air flow sensor (at least that’s what I think it is) and it just fell off! I have not been catching any Big Air off of speed bumps, which is good, as one bumpy dirt road would have vibrated this cover right off. It looks like it was held in place by a red colored gasket / sealant type of stuff.

The Bosch sensor is fairly new, judging only by the lack of dirt on it.

Questions . . .
Should this cover be on super tight and dustproof, or does one need to get inside it from time to time?
What type of sealer, adhesive, or gasket material should I use to reseal it?

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Randy in Maine
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 4:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Put a dusting of silicon around the lip. I use Hylomar myself though.
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Dogpilot
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 4:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Regular RTV or GE Silicone works just fine as well. If it gushes out the sides when you push it down, wipe it clean with a towel and some alcohol.
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justcairns
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 5:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah,I've had the same problem. A little silicone goes a long way.
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Wildthings
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 6:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you think that you might have to remove it again sometime some just dab some silicone in the corners. That will keep it on though it will not be water tight.
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tencentlife
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Location: Abiquiu, NM, USA
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 7:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hell, I mess with mine all the time trying diferent tuning combinations, and the cover just sets on there. I live 3 miles up the bumpy dusty road from hell, and it never, ever comes off. It just rides snugly on top there, and the insides stay perfectly clean. So, basically, no big deal. But, since you wouldn't have any reason to mess around in there yourself, a little smear of RTV around the rim will stick it down nice and tight. You can always pry it back off if you ever get brave and want to mess with the guts of this astoundingly crude instrument.
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OilNBolts
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 8:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hate to differ with popular opinion here, but some types of RTV ( room temperature vulcanizing) silicone sealants can be very corrosive to conductive components. Read the label, and choose carefully.

http://code541.gsfc.nasa.gov/documents/materials_tips_PDFs/TIP%20044R.pdf

This paper refers to small gauge conductors imbeded in RTV, but I have dealt with corrosion problems on printed circuit boards that were only exposed to trapped acetic vapors. I wouldn't want my increasingly difficult (read expensive) to replace air metering potentiometer exposed to these salts. Or, for that matter, many of the gasses floating around a Vanagon's engine bay.

Non-corrosive products are available, such as Loctite's RTV 5145.
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mtlyrba
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PostPosted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 3:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Non-corrosive products are available, such as Loctite's RTV 5145.



Thanks - I followed the RTV advice today.
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