Open Filter - Driving in Rain

[Tyler2386]

For those of you with a CAI that has an open filter element, what are you doing to prevent rain from entering the driver-side vent in the hood? It is right over the filter element and the filter got a little wet last time it rained.

It is not usually a problem because i do not plan to drive in the rain. However, I want to be able to take a short trip without worrying about a chance of rain.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

Sponsored

 

[SpaceGhost]

I had a super charged M3 and the kit located the intake filter in the lower grill fully exposed to the elements. Never had an issue.

 

[Todd15Fastback]

I have open element filters on all my CAI's for all my mustangs and never had any rain water issues.

 

[Tyler2386]

I guess the title was misleading. The filter got wet when the car was parked in the rain (water coming through hood vent). When I tried to drive the car it had a very rough idle because the maf sensor pulled moisture from the damp filter. This was my actual experience, not hypothetical. I guess I will need to figure out a way to block the vent - was hoping the aftermarket might address this, but likely not if no one else has experienced this issue.

Thanks.

 

[Chameleon]

Hopefully Jlt comes out with a small pad like they did for the 13's.

 

[Blk2015GT]

Yeh but the vents are much much smaller than the 13's you don't want to block them off. I can't see an option blocking only a small part off as an option as the vent is already so small.

Airraid with the closed box may have just gotten my business for South Florida rain. I just Googled and found numerous threads about this on the 13 with manufacturers denying water intrusion was even happening or that the car is moving with aerodynamics it doesn't matter- unless you are parked outside of course. I could see a soaked filter being an airflow problem.

 

[Todd15Fastback]

I guess the title was misleading. The filter got wet when the car was parked in the rain (water coming through hood vent). When I tried to drive the car it had a very rough idle because the maf sensor pulled moisture from the damp filter. This was my actual experience, not hypothetical. I guess I will need to figure out a way to block the vent - was hoping the aftermarket might address this, but likely not if no one else has experienced this issue.

Thanks.

My 03 Cobra had open hood vents that would allow moisture in and I daily drove that car for 4 years and 40k miles and no issues.

Hopefully some of the CAI vendors will see this and provide a response such as Jay or Vinny from JLT or David from Steeda.

 

[Varekai]

Filter getting wet is not a problem. It's only a problem if the filter get's submerged in water and sucks it up like a straw, which I am assuming is why there's a small hole in the bottom of the JLT box, to drain water.

 

[TheZman]

I dont think an open filter is as bad as we all worry about.. For example my 2014 CVO Harley Davidson came with the open filter heavy breather style intake and they give you a rain sock for heavy rain but that filter is right on the side of that V Twin engine way more out in the elements then our Mustang filters will be under our hoods and my bikes fine.. unless your submerged under water i dont see it hurting to run an open filter style CAI.. jmo..

 

[SVTFreak]

Bahh. A little water actually helps make more power. It's expansion rate is higher than burning air/fuel mixture. Back in the day we played with water injection into intake tract but it's kinda hard to get it just right to make peak power without hydrolock. Found that out the hard way. Ok that part was bull refuse, but water injection is a real thing and can make power due to its expansion rate.

Seriously, a little bit of water hurts nothing.

 

[silver.gt]

The other day I was looking at my motor I did notice there are water marks around the stock air intake box and on the hood insulter. With the stock box there's no problem but with a cai as an open box I don't know if it would causes a problem if the water fall directly on the filter. First problem I could ask if it would be possible, is wouldn't the filter get ruined if it get wet like get suck in (not literally get suck in the intake but loose the cone form like if it smashed like some filter I've seen when people don't take care of them) or stop filtering like they should because the water removes the oil or something going wrong with it?
The second problem I ask if it could be possible, the water falling into the filter (drops of water or may be only mist I don't know how mush could get in) with the engine running would the engine suck does drops of water in or may be only just the moist in the intake? Wouldn't that affect the engine in some way all that moist get in it?

 

[Evolvd]

Just in case anyone isn't aware, water injection is actually "Meth Injection" which is a mixture of methanol and purified water. The meth/water mixture is still combustible but it lowers intake temps by way of transpiration.

Sucking in a few water drops will not hurt a motor. However if you're really concerned, switch to an oiled filter and the oil will help prevent water drops from entering your intake stream.

 

[Kahboom]

Doesn't the airaid CAI enclosed.

 

[Chameleon]

Doesn't the airaid CAI enclosed.

Yes but I don't think the airaid is showing much gains.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[B-52 Jetman]

You'd have to drive it into river to make it suck up enough water to damage the motor. Had many open CAI's & CAI's with ram air setups...rain isn't an issue.

Sponsored