Ask The Editors: That Screen Making My Quad Pop?
Dear ATVC:
I have heard that my 450 pops when decelerating on account of a mesh screen in the airbox. Is this possible and would removing the screen be harmful to the machine?
It is possible that restricted airflow through the airbox is responsible for causing backfires during deceleration but it’s highly unlikely that factory mesh screen is the culprit. The reason such screens are included on modern 4-strokes is that there is a legitimate chance of a flame-out/ fire reaching the interior of the airbox from the engine.
The mesh of these screens is treated with flame retardant materials so as to prevent your air filter from becoming a fireball should this happen (this is why cleaning one’s filter with gasoline is highly frowned upon).
A freer flowing lid, or even light tweaking to your air/fuel mixture would likely be all it’ll take to eliminate this popping. Though slim, there is the possibility of an intake fire if your quad’s engine backfired. That screen serves a purpose.
