CAI and hydrolock. How to prevent?

[dectk06]

I just found out that driving in heavy rain can get me in so much trouble since I have MS CAI... did not know that prior to today. This is my first "performance" car and I don't know much about performance parts.
How much danger is there in driving in the rain with a CAI in our MS3's? What can I do to prevent it besides never driving in the rain? I read that our intake valve (the opening?) is located at the top of our left front tire so unless we are driving in 3 feet deep water we should be okay, in general? I read that there are filters or caps or whatever they are called out there that block water from entering the engine... what are those things and how much do they cost?
Could you educate this noob on the issue? Thanks a bunch!

 

[Gasological]

I don't know of anyone on the boards who has encountered a hydrolocking problem with CAIs, it's a theoretical possibility, but unlikely. I was driving through a serious downpour through PA a few weeks ago and was just fine. I'd estimate that you'll only run into trouble at the point where you're having trouble seeing because its raining so hard.

Generally, take it slow, which you should be doing anyway, it's wet out for christsakes, and listen to your engine. If she starts bogging down, slow down some more, and go hide under an overpass, or pull off to the side till it calms down a bit.

 

[SuperStretch18]

Your main concern should be to not run through seriously deep puddles. If the filter submerges, the intake will suck water like a straw.

 

[dectk06]

Thanks for the reply. What about cleaning the "filter" every 20,000 miles to keep CAI in good shape? What does that mean. Is it the air filter that needs to be replaced every 20000 miles?

 

[numbnuts22715]

K&N makes an intake filter cleaner, pick that up. It comes with a cleaner as well as an oil solution you put on after cleaning.

AEM also makes a water bypass valve that fits on cais.... I would recommend getting it.

My engine in my integra got hydrolocked because of a cold air intake. The filter wasnt submerged, I wasnt driving in rain that made it near impossible to see in. I was driving no more than 5 mph. A truck sped passed me and shot up water, which caused the hydrolock.

I hope that helps.

 

[jam_asian85]

Thanks for the reply. What about cleaning the "filter" every 20,000 miles to keep CAI in good shape? What does that mean. Is it the air filter that needs to be replaced every 20000 miles?

Cleaning the filter does not refer to having it replaced, since you have the mazdaspeed CAI, they have provided you with the cleaning solution. Pending on where you live, lets say if you live in an area where there's alot of construction and dirt in the atmosphere, then you would more than likely need to clean it more often.

 

[Conso]

rain isn't the problem, puddles are, be careful if you have to go through one

 

[TheMAN]

K&N makes an intake filter cleaner, pick that up. It comes with a cleaner as well as an oil solution you put on after cleaning.

AEM also makes a water bypass valve that fits on cais.... I would recommend getting it.

My engine in my integra got hydrolocked because of a cold air intake. The filter wasnt submerged, I wasnt driving in rain that made it near impossible to see in. I was driving no more than 5 mph. A truck sped passed me and shot up water, which caused the hydrolock.

I hope that helps.

NEVER use the AEM bypass valve with a turbo engine, it WILL suck the rubber in

the bypass valve is a joke anyway, it will reduce the power level of the engine back to stock

if you want to have a peace of mind, simply NOT run a CAI... get a warm air intake, or a ram air intake

 

[chriscecc914]

there is a company that sells an air filter cover that you can zip over your air filter and it lets air in but it wont let water in. You just cant go WOT but who would in the rain? I guess it would be hard to get in there were our intakes sit

 

[Daeron]

Do not use the K&N cleaning kit on the MS CAI filter...the K&N filter is an oiled filter, the one that comes with the MS CAI kit is a dry filter. It should have come with 2 bottles of cleaning solution, and you can always get more.

 

[hellcat]

I hydrolocked my P5 because of CAI. The trick is DO NOT GO IN WATER OVER THE CURB. Its plain and simple. Fortunately I was able to save the motor. Some may not be so lucky. I was save because I pushed in the clutch when the car shut off (no load on the motor that way). Anyway, rain itself will not affect your car at all. Honestly you won't notice any performance increase with a SRI so why not go that way. Just my 2 cents.

 

[oskinosmee]

if you plan on driving through lakes dont buy a cai

 

[redspeed]

AEM also makes a water bypass valve that fits on cais.... I would recommend getting it.

The Man is right, the AEM bypass valve is NOT designed for turbo applications.

 

[aaronc7]

Since you already have the MS CAI...

 

[clos561]

Your main concern should be to not run through seriously deep puddles. If the filter submerges, the intake will suck water like a straw.

+1 all you have to do is watch out for deep puddles, you will only hydrolock if you submerge the filter in water and suck it to the motor.

 

[MS3katyTX]

I got my RX8 caught in a flash flood. Hit a puddle, the engine hydrolocked and within 5 minutes water was coming in the doors. I bailed out and literally watched it float away with water above the windows. As you can probably guess it was totaled, as seen by my signature.

 

[redspeed]

Since you already have the MS CAI...

How is the sound of that su bov?

 

[ForceFed]

Yes..as the Man states..that Bypass Valve is not for use on turbo Vehicles..IF you would do your research..It SPECIFICALLY says so on AEM's website.

 

[aaronc7]

How is the sound of that su bov?

I just went out and took a video, but somehow it didnt copy right to my computer and i already deleted it off my camera. I was too lazy to do make another one so I got this one from someone else. Keep in mind he also has an exhaust...but my valve sounds just like that, I love it.

 

[redspeed]

Now THAT is how I want mine to sound! Thankx