First off,
Somebody in another thread said this hsould be another topic, so here it goes.

I'm here to say I HAVE HYDROLOCKED my car twice with an aem cai.

The first time, it was just dumb on my part, there was a big flood and i misjudged the huge puddle under a bridge on backlick road. It hydrolocked and i didnt start my engine again and got it towed. Got all the water blown out. ENGINE WAS FINE. Compression was a bit off though. But ran fine.

Second time, NO puddle, but hard hard rain was coming down. The whole street was covered in a sheet of rain while the drops were pouring down. But even then my car hydrolocked. Wasnt nearly as bad as the first time. Struggled for a few seconds and shut off. The first time it just died immediately. I left it on idle after a while knowing that only a tiny bit of water got in there some how. MADDDD smoke was coming out my exhaust and i let it burn the water for about 20 minutes. And then my car was fine. And still fine. I guess im lucky and unlucky at the same time. I know some ppl who's cares never run after such happenings.

My point is NOT to down any CAI or any brands. Just giving you'lls a heads up.... It doesnt happen everyday. but in my 4 years with a CAI, its happened to me twice. Just dont drive in heavy rain if you have a cai if you can.... if you do, avoid even the smallest of puddles!!!!

Otherwise I would just go with a regular intake. I dont think intake gives our cars too much extra hp anyways, mite as well be safe with it.... just my OPINION though. Thanks.

 

Do you have a bypass valve?

 

the bypass valve works. it doesn't take much of a vacuum to open that thing right up!

 

The second time did not occur from driving through a puddle obviously. Howver, if you'll notice, the AEM CAI has an upward angle on the bottom half of the piping as it leads to the air filter.

There is a hole above where the filter sits that is a natural drain for water through the channels around the hoodline. This hole drains right onto the CAI. with the upward angle, the water drips into the elbow and sits in there. Then as you're driving, or later on, as that water builds up, it can be sucked into the engine.


If you'd installed something such as an air filter umbrella, I'd be willing to bet you'd have never had an issue the 2nd time.

my .02

 

silverstonemonster
the question is, did you plug the drain hole in the engine bay?

 

If pics were working on the site, I'd post a pic of the umbrella I made. Works like a charm.

 

Just plugging that hole works pretty well too.

 

yep.. i had a cai for a few years now with no probs... no umbrella.. jus taped up the hole.

drove in heavy heavy rain with no probs

 

I too have had too many run ins with hydrolock........ I think im cursed as of late, for 2 months I drove the car through heavy rain, in peak of rainy season with the AEM ... NO PROBLEMS AT ALL just plugged the hole
In the last 3 weeks 4 FREAKING CLOSE CALLS!
one was a sprinkler event
second was rain... ( i dont know how but somehow)
third was car wash (stunned)
4th time i was driving along and went full throttle and stall.......so im assuming it was hydrolock.... it just rained so maybe
I have now completely sealed the hole with fiberglass, made a superumbrella and am looking at gettin new intakes.............comptech is looking good

 

I managed to hydrolock my last S. We had a huge storm pass through the area a couple of years ago, and my car sat through it in the parking lot at work. At the end of the day, I come out and star the car, and it runs for about 30 seconds and then, WHAM!

Turns out the wind from the storm blew water through my K&N filter and put about a gallon in the pipe.

Luckily, there didn't appear to be any damage to the engine since it was just idling at the time of the lock. Scared the crap out of me, though.