Hey all who have or want an Cold Air Induction (CAI) system...I have an AEM with a bypass valve....Properly installed...I noticed the other day while inspecting it (10,000 miles on the filter) that it was sitting differently from the original position...The reason I found out today is that because of the design of the system, the bypass filter supports some of the load of the filter and pipe...This is due partially to the rubber suspension part used to attach the pipe to the car frame...So over time, this caused the Bypass Valve to crack, allowing for some amount of opening of the valve...So while very minimal....I’ve had some dirt entering my engine..My advice is.....these valves are a crappy design....I think that the overall risk of excessive dirt ingestion outweighs the once in a million chance that most of us have of driving through a puddle deep enough to completely submerge the filter. The valves are only useful for a complete submerging of the filter under water, not your typical hard rain shower…I know there is much debate over these Bypass valves...By my advice is to think twice about weather they are necessary for you particular use....I would personally rather not have one after seeing this....Just wanted to lend a hand for anyone questioning this topic...Have a good one!

 

Didn't AEM have a recall on that? Something about they'd supply you with a clip that stops the filter from separating....
:P

 

Theres always controversy about this, just to be safe I'm switching to short ram when it starts to rain a lot....

 

yeah i believe there was a recall on that-- and he's right.. they sent out some clip to those who called and it was fixed.. no biggy

 

A couple week ago I drove through the monsoon type rain that we got here in Virginia beach. There were cars stalled out and hydroplaining all over the place and I was kinda worried about not having the bypass but I didn't have any problem. I really can't imagine driving in any worse conditions than that day without actually driving in a lake!

Forget the Bypass just alot of hype.

 

I noticed the same crack the other day on my bypass valve. The recall has nothing to do with the bypass valve cracking (I know this b/c AEM already sent me the clip). The recall was for the inside foam getting sucked into the throttle body. The clip goes inside of the bypass valve to prevent the foam from being sucked in. The plastic cracking is definitely a problem. I have removed my bypass valve & replaced it with a rubber coupler (like the one that connects the AEM pipe to the throttle body). The car actually feels a little more responsive since I took off the bypass valve. I think maybe the crack was reducing the CAI's ability slightly.

 

tru dat

 

I have mine taken off and replaced with a 3" silicon tube. I figure I'll put it on only in times of severe rain.

 

If you look at where the CAI is sucking air from, it has that plastic shield stopping water from splashing up into it.

You'd have to do one of two things to hydro-lock the engine:

a) Drive in a typhoon so that the water blows into the front grill and floods the filter.
b) Plow into water that's over 6" deep so that you get water above the plastic shield.

Personally, I don't go out in typhoons and stay away from water that's 6"+ deep.

The bypass would be usefull for cars that have the cold air relocated to the front grill (I've seen this on Civics), or other cars that don't have the plastic shield under the bumper. Our CL doesn't need it (really).

 

I just had to buy a new by-pass valve because of mine cracked. They told me it is eventually gonna to crack and get
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Originally posted by scl23
a 3" silicon tube and put it on only in times of severe rain.
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