no work today so I thought I would inspect the condition of my air filter. probably due a change mileage wise so thought I would have a look.
I don't really drive in cities or towns much so as expected it was pretty clean, just a few tiny bits of straw and the odd dead insect? . turned it upside down gave it a tap and gentle brush and I reckon it will do for this summer ?.
however , whilst examining the lid of the airbox cover I noticed and managed to partially disintegrate one of the pieces of foam that sits in the inverted scoop at the very front the lid. (its difficult to describe, many of you will probably have taken the lid off many times and not even noticed these hidden, glued in bits of foam .) they don't filter the air in any way as the air would just go over them , not through?
I thought they just looked like a dirty surface so when I rubbed one with end of my finger it started to fall to bits?

they are glued in and made of the same sort foam as those two little triangles that sit near the stacks.
the question is Why are they there and what do they do . I cant see any reason for them being there unless it somehow calms down/deadens the airflow into the box??. I have removed about 1 third of one of them.
im planning on getting some petrol in a bit and going for a spin so I guess I will be able to report back about how crucial they are later. !!??