I just got my CAI so I'm curious...what exactly happens when your engine gets hydrolock? What exactly breaks or stops working that makes it so bad? I'm not trying to undermine the massive problems it can cause, but I just don't know what it does. Thanks!

Ju§tin

Imagine pouring a non-compressible liquid (water) into the relatively small space of your combustion chamber and having the piston try to compress it. The water won't give so.... the upward energy of the piston/connecting rod will be redirected and....

Steve

BOOM!!!!!!!!

Get one of those AEM bypass valves. It's about $45 and good insurance against nasty water.

Cossie

We had this debate on AEM bypass valves earlier..like early may. I thought we came to the conclusion that they didn't work.

Originally posted by cossieturbo
Get one of those AEM bypass valves. It's about $45 and good insurance against nasty water.

Cossie
You'd be better off not having a CAI if you decide to use a bypass. They're not intended for our cars, and work about as well as a screen door on a submarine. Long story short, I had one alsmost sucked it up into my engine, yada yada yada, eventually it completely came apart.
Hey be glad it's not a Honda, at least our intakes go to the drivers side.

What you hear is a nice bang sound as the engine stops turning immeditatly. Once you hear it you know what happened. It sounds like running over a speed bump at 20-35mph but having the engine stop turning :(.

Originally posted by Crono1321
I just got my CAI so I'm curious...what exactly happens when your engine gets hydrolock? What exactly breaks or stops working that makes it so bad? I'm not trying to undermine the massive problems it can cause, but I just don't know what it does. Thanks!

Ju§tin

Those bypass valves are a great idea but i doubt they work in real life situations. I saw a testing in a mag where they fully submerged the filter into a tank of water, but what do you think are the chances of you running into a puddle that high, it would be obvious so you could avoid it. I dont think it opens when it sucks up small amounts of water. So pretty much, the bypass is useless

actually what happens is the bypass valve opens to have the water drain.. but honestly you dont need it.

the only way youll get hydrolock is if your crossing a 5 foor river..

seriously.. i have CAI and i had it on while it was raining and it rained hard in socal.. but water doesnt get in much.. if anything it would dry up evn before being suck in..

Guys, the bypass valve doesn't open to drain water.

As for being useless, I personally know one person who hydrolocked his engine with his CAI and a good friend's brother also hydrolocked his with a CAI

It can and does happen.

It won't happen just driving on a wet road. You have to be careful about puddles though. Deep puddles can take you by surprise. Just think of your car as a 140+ hp shopvac and you'll have the right idea. :)

Time for me to chime in.

I've had a cai for about 3 months now. In the last 3 weeks there have been some ridiculous rains in south FL, and I drive like I always drive. No problems. My filter is getting really rusty from the water. I am sure water splashes up on it all the time. Now if you go through deep deep puddles at WOT, well, chances are you can hydrolock your engine.

Not saying it can't happen but I have had one on my Focus for 2 Years in heavy rain. There are no splash shields on this car and the intake sits about 8 inches off the ground. Standing water will cause it, Texas,Florida almost any State that has flash floods are dangerous. If you drive smart you shouldn't have a problem.

I now am 100% less worried about hydrolock. I am with Serban, it has rained hella hard almost every single day here and I even drove my car all the way to west palm, 100+ miles in hurricane weather, and I was more worried about the wind pushing me into the other lane than I was about sucking up water. LoL Good analogy with the shopvac thing!! :D

Ju§tin

What you hear is a nice bang sound as the engine stops turning immeditatly. Once you hear it you know what happened. It sounds like running over a speed bump at 20-35mph but having the engine stop turning :(.
dang that sucks

warm air intake is better

dang that sucks

So does bumping a 5 year old thread just to say that :tongue:

lol bump for the return of the living dead thread