Intake Runner O-Rings

[Cyclejohn]

Put the #123 O-Rings from Napa in my 97 Tourer a couple of months ago and I've only put about 300 miles on them since then. They seemed just a little thicker than the factory O-rings but I put them in and they buttoned up just fine. Since then I've gone back and rechecked tightness on the holddown nuts a couple of times and they needed no further tightening but around the base of the runners (all six) there appears to be rubber coming out. Would someone please advise me if you think I should pull these O-rings out and put factory rings in or do you think these will be Ok? Just trying to do the right thing. Thanks in advance for the help.       John

[Steve K (IA)]

John,  I am going to follow this post.  3 weeks ago, I replaced the o-rings on my Std with o-rings from RedEyeTech.  The diameter of those was slightly smaller than the groove they set in.  I couldn't get the runners back on without the o-rings popping out of the groove.  What I done was to put some clear RTV in the grooves to hold the o-rings in place so I could get them reinstalled.

So, my thought is...do you think that an o-ring slipped out of place while you tightened things up and it is squishing out and that is what your seeing? 

[sandy]

John: I wouldn't replace them unless the exhaust popping comes back or you see fuel around the runner base. Next time get #123's in viton or silicone material. NAPA probably sold you BUNA which won't last very long (a year??). Go to a hydraulic supply house to find the right material or order them from one of our vendors. I pay 50 cents each for vitons locally. Phx area.

[Jeff K]

When I do blower installs I always put 2-3 tiny drops of superglue in the groove to hold them in while I fiddle with the manifold.

[Cyclejohn]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. The rubber is coming out from under all six runners and on both sides of the runners. If it's coming out could it be going inward also? I physically watched as I seated all the runners to the intake to make sure none of the o-rings came out of the grooves. I think I'll go ahead and track down the viton o-rings for my own piece of mind. But in the meantime do you think it will hurt the engine to run it like this knowing that some of that rubber might be going inward? Thanks,  John