has anyone had problems with the aem long arm cold-air intake sucking up water? i live in the bay area, CA which has fairly rainy winters.

 

Get the AEM bypass valve and you will have no problems

 

i heard the bypass valve is pretty much a gimmick.

 

Get the Comptech Icebox

 

i had the bypass valve..but sold it....never got to putting it on. But i did hear that they were known to "malfuction" and cause engine damage by the bypass valve itself coming apart and entering thru the IM. To be honest I dont know if they have fixed this problem yet..

I have had the AEM CAI on my car for about a year..i did go thru winter with it on. (In So. Cali...so basically no rain) and if there was rain..i drove the car without a problem.. Just try to keep away from deep puddles and you should be fine


[Modified by 98itR484, 4:30 AM 6/6/2002]

 

Well look how AEM tested it. They used an NSX. I believe their site is http://www.aempower.com Believe what you like.

And there was an update for the bypass valve.... So ya I guess it was fixed


[Modified by mr. skelly, 8:31 PM 6/5/2002]

 

before they "updated" their bypass valve. some college kids did a test on it and found out the bypass valve only seems to work when the filter is almost completely submerged in water. when they used a spray bottle while on the throttle, it did nothing.

 

Bay area? Fairly Rainy?
Bwahaahaahaaa....
Are you serious? Have you seen the pictures of the whole south washing away?

 

OF course it didnt do anything with just a spray bottle, the by pass valve works when there is a vacuum created when the filter becomes submerged, a little water wont create vacuum and wont harm ur engine. Its when there is nothing else but water to suck in that hydrolock occurs. The AEM by pass valve with updated foam holder is better than nothing IMHO, but just being plain careful when it rains is the best solution.


[Modified by Rguy, 8:43 PM 6/5/2002]

 

anyone want to buy a new AEM bypass valve??? ........ i never got around to using mine

 

Just stay off the throtle in heavy rain, I had mine (AEM CAIw/o bypass) for almost a year and not one problem.

 

how does the comptech icebox intake compare? i know this has been asked before but if anyone is willing to throw in some knowledge, again it would be appreciated. i'm more worried about the whole water uptake thing. haha. i guess if i'm so worried about the water issue i should get a short-ram intake and make my life a hell of a lot easier eh? well anyhow. thanks for any advice u guys might have.

 

I live in the Bay area, never had any problems.

 

I'm from the bay area and I have AEM cold air. I havent had any problems with it. I've driven through rain storms without any adverse effects. Just don't go driving through some flooded street. But in the event that you can't avoid a large puddle of water, go easy on the gas and try to coast through it with momentum. The most suction occurs at wide open throttle. Basically, don't VTEC it through any high water and you should be fine.

 

Because you can search:

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=171649
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=154495

 

You mean that cruising by a puddle in neutral will prevent hydrolock from ever occuring?

Also.. i heard that you only need a teaspoon of water into the engine to cause hydrolock.

Now i'm not saying any of that is right.. i'm only passing on things that i've "heard". Please enlighten me further, i'm interseted in buying an AEM CAI very soon.

 

Not crusing through a puddle in neutral ....... when the car is idle, the butterfly on the Tb is somewhat open. (not wide open) When idling, the car need air to run correct??

But if you keep the car in gear and then coast through the puddle, your motor spins because the drivetrain is being forced to spin by the wheels which in turn spins the motor. No fuel is being consumed at this point either. (its like having your car turned off). This will keep the TB closed nicely.

I hope I didn't confuse anyone.

-Nick

 

At idle, air will go through the IAC valve. The TB is closed same as not putting in neutral. Water will damage the engine when the water going in the cyl. is more than the compression chamber.

 

Umm... sorta.. tb = throttle body right? I'm thick headed when it comes to the mechanics..

So basically.. just stay in gear, but don't touch the accelerator pedal..

 

It's still better to press the clutch, because then the engine won't suck so hard (lower revs).
Then hope there won't be enough water going through the IAC valve....

 

ttt

 

I had a friend with a GSR suck his bypass valve right into the t/b. Luckily it got stuck there and we just pulled it out. I've never used one and don't see the point. They only work when a vacuum is caused, meaning the filter is submerged in water. Unless you plan on doing a bit of wading its not worth it on the streets and if its flood weather outside why drive or pull off the road that's dangerous period.
Later.

 

You have to drive through a lake for that thing to matter.....If your that worried get a pre-filter (foam) spray it with oil as well and put it on. I live in Pittsburgh Pa. (lotsa rain) and have never had a problem with no bypass....

 

just drive carefully when it rains. I live in GA and i have been through some major storms and not one problem..... (knock on wood)...

 

I have had my intake for 2 1/2 years. I think I have driven through just about every type of rain thus far and as long as you avoid the big puddles you should be fine. No problems here.