Seems I remember something about a replacement for the 25XP. Made by K+N or NAPA? I am beginning to worry about the mesh in the stock unit.
From an email I saved from the C36 mail list:
=================================================================
Item Qty per Unit Total
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RU-2450 | Universal Rubber Filter 1 @ $ 28.08 = $ 28.08
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Subtotal: $ 28.08
Shipping and Handling: $ 3.00
Tax: $ 1.83
Total: $ 32.91
K&N Engineering, Inc.
http://shop.knfilters.com
PO Box 1329
Riverside, CA 92502
Tony Dolk
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I put one on Espresso a couple years ago.
Craig is this something we should worry about? I cleaned mine the other day and seen the screen but never gave it a thought, I suppose that screen could deteriorate and get int the engine. What is meant by the "rubber" filter. Thanks Bob
Once upon a time they used old air filters, then they made newer air filters and then someone started using automobile air filters on M25 series engines.
The old fitler is here: http://www.marinedieseldirect.com/catalogs/catalog_group.php?owner=mdd&page_ident=200142-15&model=M-25%20/%20M-25XP%20/%20M-25XPA&manufacturer=Universal&title=Inlet%20Manifold%20Group%20and%20Exhaust%20Manifold&quant_position=&catalog=200142&printparts=&printservice=&printoperators=&comment1=Part%20reference%20number%208%20can%20be%20replaced%20with%20part%20reference%20number%2017.%20%20This%20is%20reported%20to%20provide%20some%20noise%20reduction.
(You should all have this website bookmarked in your browsers. Plus there's the manual online on the home page.)
The old filter had a wire mesh inside, was closed on the body outisde like this link.
That was replaced with a newer filter that had a simple foam material, cleanable and replaceable. $50 in 1998, here: http://shop.torresen.com/ships_store/index.php?p=details&mfc=Universal&sku=302181 They put the foam on the outside. I've purchased replacement foam once for it in 10 years and simply clean the old foam.
Some have gone a step further and used automotive air filters. I don't have a handy reference for that, right now, maybe later.
This thread has the part# for the K&N filter. I added it last fall and it is as simple as removing the old filter setup and tightening the clamp on the new one. K&N ru2450, available online.
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,1755.0.html
Guys : The rubber foam on the outside of the is a noise suppressor, not a filter. I wrote a Mainsheet tech note article which said that I went to a fabric and for $.50 got enough foam to last a lifetime!! A bit tricky sewing it on a sewing machine, but I did it and made 3or4 "filters".
On the inside of the air cleaner is a "mesh" made of stainless steel. You can clean it with some lacquer thinner at the end of each season. It should last for over 50+ years !
A few thoughts.
Here's a link to a post by Maine Sail, a great contributor both here and over on co.com, about K&N filters: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4039.msg23025.html#msg23025
Maine Sail has contributed a lot of great material. You can find more by simply clicking on his name and reading his "last posts" or go to members, click on M and he's down at the bottom of the first page of "m"s. (His screen name is "mainesail" if you ever do an advanced search using names)
This is my sail image. I like sailing
And if the mesh doesn't last 50 years then you can replace it with a couple of stainless steel pot scrubbers from your grocery store.