Originally Posted by ofsalesmen

I think it's time to sell my cold air intake.

So, I went out of town last Thursday night. That day, I drove my car back from work with no issues, right before the sleet started to come down. I left the car parked all weekend on my driveway. Yesterday (Monday) morning, I tried to start the car. The engine turned over but wouldn't catch. At this point, I suspected a weak charge on my battery and attempted a jump start with the same outcome. At that point, I smelled gas in the exhaust and assumed I had some sort of fuel flooding in the cylinders. Since I had to leave for work, I took another car and left the S as is.

After work that evening, I came home and tried cranking it with the fuel injectors unclipped to burn off any excess gas in the cylinder (still assuming it was gas due to the strong smell). After doing that with no success, I pulled the spark plugs and turned the engine over with the starter to push out any fuel. To my shock and surprise, a decent amount of water shot out from each cylinder.

I entered full freak-out mode and dismantled my intake. Lo and behold, the bottom arm was full of water. There was water pooled in the throttle body. There was water in the cylinders. My heart sank as I assumed the worst.

At this point, I turned over the engine a few more times to get out as much water as possible from the cylinders (with the intake off and most water removed from the throttle body). It didn't take long to eject the water. I eventually ended up with fuel mist being shot out of all four cylinders.

I'm still questioning how that much water managed to get into my intake. Being wary of the possibility of hydrolocking with a CAI, I have NEVER driven through a deep/heavy puddle in my car. I blocked off potential flow/trickle passages in the engine bay. The car ran strong up until this Monday, and I can't imagine that one day's worth of precipitation led to that much water getting into my intake...

Regardless, it is what it is. Forget how it got there. There's water in there, so I have to deal with it.

I ran out of time last night, but I plan to do a compression test today. I've been doing a ton of research, but had a few questions that I'll ask you guys:

1) Would a good compression test result necessarily mean that I'm in the clear as far as mechanical damage (i.e., bent rods)? I know there's still some fouling/corrosion on valves and rings that could be an issue, but my main concern right now is a bent rod. Also, would a cold compression test be helpful at all? Obviously, I can't warm up my engine at this point.

2) What other testing should I perform? I plan to do a leakdown test if I can secure an air compressor. What other diagnostics can I do without tearing the engine apart?

3) Any general advice going forward?

Obviously, I'll be uninstalling this intake and changing the oil (which is probably laden with water now). Maybe Seafoam to clean up the combustion chamber a little, if only for peace of mind.

I'm extremely upset right now and wishing I had taken more precautions with shielding the intake, not leaving the car outside, inspecting the intake more often... it goes on and on. But I'm stuck in this situation now and need to deal with it as best as I can. Any support is much appreciated.

Originally Posted by SgtB

The AEM V2 has a low point in it that can hold water. OP may have an older model because the new models have a duck bill drain in them to let any accumulation out. I've had a newer V2 for years and have never seen a drop in it. It is curious that you could get enough water to flood all four cylinders though...are we sure there isn't water in the tank? I've worked on an S that had over 4 gallons of water in the tank!

I'd seriously check your tank ofsalesman. The fact that the motor didn't start is strange. It usually takes a lot of effort to pull such a small amount of water out of the CAI, and I don't think there would be enough volume to pull it up the tube just cranking it.

Originally Posted by Saki GT

AEM-style design is just bad imo - no benefits over other CAIs and some big disadvantages. When you get your engine back together, just get a K&N FIPK and call it a day.

Originally Posted by Saki GT

Fwiw, me and a friend did roll ons with stock and K&N intakes. The K&N consistently had quicker throttle response, sounds better, and supposedly grants a few hp. Can't think how it would be a downgrade, especially with the reusable filter.