AEM CAI - Issues - Please Help!!!

[Petros]

Hey Everyone,

I'm a first time poster, so I apologize if I put this thread in the wrong section. I wasn't sure weather to use the CEL board or this one...

In any case, I have a 2006 Mazda 3 GT and recently installed an AEM CAI. Everything was fine after installation but after getting my car washed, the CEL light came on and my car started jerking when I attempted to accelerate. (I'm assuming that water got in my engine... (boom05) ). I pulled over and waited for a bit then got home and let my car sit... it was fine afterwards.

I made sure after that, that when I washed my car I waited for a while so that the filter would be dry before I drove anywhere, but the other day it was pissing rain outside, and there was a huge puddle that was pretty unavoidable which I ended up driving through. The same problem occured.

My car only has 15000 KM's on it and I don;t want to f*** it up because of this. I called the garage where I got it installed and they told me that it was the first they had heard of this problem... has anyone else experienced this? If so, is there a way to correct it other than getting a bypass valve which will make my CAI pretty useless? If not, I'm going to have it removed.

PLEASE HELP! Thanks!

 

[jbiird317]

That is rather strange for that to be happening just from a car wash or heavy rain. Did your mechanic install the splash shields properly after the CAI install? That would be something to look into. Also, I belive that AEM makes an adapter that goes behind the filter to prevent this. I would contact one of the vendors on here (ProtegeGarage or Horsepowerfreak), either one of them should be able to help you find what you are looking for...

 

[lokalmotive]

(mswerd) on checking the splash sheild. The AEM adapter you're talking about tho I'm thinking is the "bypass valve" he was referring to. It won't make the CAI useless it will just serve it's purpose of keeping water from coming in which from what I can tell is the problem so it would be a better move IMO to buy that than take the CAI off.

 

[Petros]

(mswerd) on checking the splash sheild. The AEM adapter you're talking about tho I'm thinking is the "bypass valve" he was referring to. It won't make the CAI useless it will just serve it's purpose of keeping water from coming in which from what I can tell is the problem so it would be a better move IMO to buy that than take the CAI off.

Thanks guys... you sure about the Bypass Valve though? I was under the impression that they have to cut your CAI in order to install it...(shrug)

 

[lokalmotive]

Thanks guys... you sure about the Bypass Valve though? I was under the impression that they have to cut your CAI in order to install it...(shrug)

You might have to cut the piping, I'm not sure myself, but if so it wouldn't really be a big deal. You'd just have to do it on a straight piece of the piping. To me it'd be worth cutting the pipe and retaining the CAI while making sure to safeguard against water. Just my 2 cents tho. Take it for what's it worth. Haha.

 

[lokalmotive]

Here's a thread on another forum that says it's not a good idea to have the bypass valve. It explains why. I will stand corrected on what I said earlier after reading this.


http://www.s treetunitforum.com/showthread.php?t=2821

PS- Just take the space out from between the "s" and the "t" and the link will work.

 

[Rotus8]

The bypass valve, (not to be confused with BPV or BOV) is not to be used on turbo cars. It will be fine here because his car is NA.