Uhhhhh.... Okay I'm confused.... I have an AEM
CAI with the bypass valve.... Now I know I don't
live in the rain forest but the roads around here
do flood... Take Lodi N.J. For instance... So I have a
couple of questions & or concerns..... Can anyone
give me real proof that the bypass valve wont work ????
And that I'm actually loosing power or my have lost it
all together ???? Because this was my first mod and
when I got it installed it seemed as though it performed
better... Plus it sounded good.... But I put the valve on
because I read so many things about hydro-lock and since
the AEM is basically just a few inches off the ground I figured
it was a no Brianer....plus I thought in the event that I might
not be driving the car when its approaching a puddle or flooded
road..... But now some of you are saying it doesn't work ????
And also some of you mentioned that you take it on and off
How are you doing that ??? Because I had to cut my pipe to
put the bypass valve on ??? Are you putting something in place
of it ???? Some one please help because now I'm concerned
But I would like some real proof of these claims.... Not just hear
say ???? And please be nice no flaming !!! Don't mean to sound
stupid but I remember reading a bunch of threads about AEM CAI's
but never about it not actually working with the bypass valve & having
no Horse power gains.

 

 

For you guys that think that an engine can hydrolock when the filter is partially submerged, think about it a minute. Unless you are at high revs at WOT, the air flowing through the intake is not going to pull the air AND water up the 2' vertical pipe. It may pull some mist, but that won't hurt the engine at all. In fact, the bypass valve won't do ANYTHING unless the filter is fully submerged. The bypass valve simply opens when there is a vacuum on the intake tube. A vacuum will NOT exist if the filter is not fully submerged.

I have had my AEM for about 20K miles in a pretty wet climate without any issues. When I drive through a suspicious puddle, I let off the throttle and put the clutch in to coast through it at idle. If the engine is at idle, it will NOT generate enough vacuum to suck a 3" column of water 2' up into the engine before it stalls.

BTW, the only person I have known personally to have hydrolocked an engine is ... me, with a bone stock '86 Honda Civic SI. Any engine can be hydrolocked if the driver isn't carefull.

 

I have the AEM CAI with no bypass valve and I don't plan to ever put one. Since its my weekend car, it rarely sees rain, let alone a flood high enough to submerge the filter.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by gernby
[B]For you guys that think that an engine can hydrolock when the filter is partially submerged, think about it a minute.

 

Edit. Nevermind. Gernby explained it better than I did. Didn't see his post at first.

 

Basically, I think if you are going to buy the AEM CAI with the bypass valve, then you are just buying the CAI for the sound. Otherwise, it is a waste of time and money.

 

Okay so I guess I should take it off then....

So my next question is ..... What do I put in its place ???
Or do I have to buy a hole new pipe ????
Man this really bums me out.... I thought I was doing the
right thing by buying the bypass valve....
I mean I know its only good for a few horse power but that's
why I got it ..... To make my car perform better and sound good too
Because the next thing I wanted to do was get the apexi V-afc and
get it tuned..... But I don't want to do that if this bypass valve is
basically making the CAI useless ???

Please someone help .... Xviper ??? You always seem to know
the answer ??? Anybody have any suggestions ???

Everyone thanks for your help.... And thanks for not flaming me !!!