RaptorCLS

Hey all...


I didnt put the bypass valve back on after replacing the AEM CAI after the accident. Since its starting to rain...do I have much to worry about unless I go thru a puddle that submerges the filter? Can it take just normal driving thru rain?

Red-CL

I got an icebox.

I probly would put a bypass on for peace of mind though.

racersky

I have the AEM V2 Intake and so far i've been driving in normal rain and nothing happened yet. I don't have a bypass valve btw because of the fact that it won't fit on the v2 and aem suggest not to.

FunkeeTown

i've driven in some medium to heavy rain recently and the filter got a little wet. no problems though. just think about how long your "tube" (hehe) is...and how far water has to travel to hit your engine. it will most likely evaporate due to the heat. i'm sure you'll be fine.

BC2G

yea my bypass broke... and it just started raining here in LA.

i havent been driving my car too much in the rain.. i mean the consequences arent worth it.. u flood ur engine and u are fawked..

when u see a puddle !!!

fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

You should be fine. When I had my AEM I didn't have the valve. FL rains are VERY bad. I didn't have any problems.

LiQiCE

While the engine is running and you're driving you really dont have anything to worry about with a CAI. Even during heavy rain and even if the filter gets a little wet it shouldn't matter. The car has the ability to "digest" a small amount of water anyways. Its only if the filter becomes completely submerged in water or if the filter becomes so soaked that it is pulling in a lot of water. During the rain while you're moving its not likely that either will happen.

However, when you park your car for extended periods of time in the rain you need to check to make sure none of the rain is getting into the engine bay and soaking the filter. If this happens then you'd probably want to get something to protect the filter like the InJen intake heat shield, which should fit most CAI filters. http://www.cardomain.com/item/INJHS5000P

Or just find the source of how the water is getting to your filter ... Most likely in the case of the CL, you're not going to have this problem. But the easy way to check is to wash your car and spray water at the hood ... see if the filter is wet at all afterwards.

RaptorCLS

Sweet...Cool thanks guys for the heads up.

LiQice...I'll look into the heat shield...but I've wahed my car a few times already and no issues...

It would seem the location of the filter since protected by the cover on the bottom and being behind the driving lights, that I shouldnt have anything to worry about unless, like LiQice mentioned, it gets completely submerged. Just worried....haha...hopefully I can get a beater soon.

CLpower

I've never had a problem and I didn't have a fender liner through 3 winters. The chances of it happening are very very slim if you use common sense.

Shawn S

The people who say you’re totally safe and will never have a problem are lying.
Also, the people who say your engine will explode if you drive through a puddle don’t know what they’re talking about either.

I ran WITH a bypass for about 3-years because I was paranoid.
I’ve learned that a bypass valve can do MORE damage then water if parts are inhaled into the engine.
I have since removed the bypass valve and gone with a straight pipe on my car.
(Xephyr Intake)

The bottom line is use common sense.
Depending on how low your car is and what intake you’re running it’s gonna take 7-8 inches deep of water to cause a problem.
You shouldn’t be driving through something like that anyway.
Even if the filter gets wet and draws in a little water you’ll be OK.
It has to entirely fill one or two cylinders while the engine is running to blow.

Shawn S

RaptorCLS

Cool...thanks Shawn

Seattle Cl-S

I live in Seattle. It rains here...often. I had the AEM on the car for 4 years and NEVER had a problem. People frightened me into getting the bypass and I regretted buying the thing since the day I put it on. I honestly do not believe it does anything except rob you of a couple HP. You will have NO problems without it unless, like you said, you submerge the entire thing in a lake.

Rock2534

Question about the bypass parts damaging the engine, does the company (aem or whatever) cover damage done to your engine by their product, as long as it was installed correctly?

Also I think i passed you on schoenersville rd this morning Shawn. Unless there is someone else around with a blue CL with chrome rims and gold emblems.

BC2G

winter in Huntington Beach (lol its 75 degrees)

chabanais

Why risk killing your engine by using a CAI?

BC2G

ur not risking as much w/ a bypass ...

and for people that live in southern california, how often does it rain (rarely)

Rock2534

yeah i really do not see it as a risk to the engine, as long as it is a quality cai and that it is installed properly.

LiQiCE

The problem with a bypass is that if you don't remove the bypass fairly often (like once a month to be really safe) and oil it up/check for rot, there's a chance that the bypass will rot and fall apart. If this happens, there is no filter or anything to protect the engine from inhaling whatever pieces fall off of the bypass. This happened to a member here at Acura-CL and forced the throttle body to stay in the open position, effectively creating a car that wouldn't stop. Extremely dangerous, and definitely not worthwhile to protect you from the chance of hydrolock. I hope those of you that have a bypass are properly maintaining it.

BC2G

funny you should say that... my bypass just broke!!! and i had to eliminate the entire thing... now i just have CAI w/o bypass.... but the bypass broke @ the rubber sealer portion that connected to the piping. and the bypass was only 3 months old, so i dont see it as me not maintaining it

Shawn S

Yes, that was me. I saw you…
About 7:15AM right ???

Rock2534

Yeah thats it. i didn't see you til i was almost passed you though. i was already in a bad mood cuz i had to go pick this fool up i work with, all out of my way.

Rock2534

your ride looked nice and clean

2K2SilverTL-S

Hearing that AEM VTEC roar makes that TINY chance of having a problem (usually due to carelessness) all the worthwhile!!!

CLpower

My friend was the head of R&D at AEM for awhile, he said the bypass is worthless

NiteQwill

My other car has a CAI that is nearly 4 inches off the ground, it has been through Texas, Seattle, and California rain, if you drive carefully and don't ford through rivers, you'll be fine. Heck, in Seattle I went through nearly 8 inch deep roads with no problem. Just don't WOT.

bigman

i had my injen cai for 3 years on a dropped car, no probs

Paul

hmmm. i have a cai with the bypass cause when it rains here, we have easily 1-2 foot of water at some locations where I have to drive through. Now that im reading this post, how do i "take care" of the bypass value? I had the dealer put it on so i dont really know a thing about it. I actually never even understood how the bypass works...

1killercls

Its not Hawaii..it gets PLENTY Chilly ...