hey guys, i've been considering getting a CAI for my 3. but quite frankly... i'm scared, lol. not at the warranty issues so much, but more the risk of water in the motor.

I went to a local dealership asking about the MS Intakes. the service manager was telling me that you had to be very careful with them because they were suseptible to sucking up water because they are mounted so low. In fact, that day they had a guy in there with a 3 getting a new engine becaue he sucked up water in just 2" of water. idk if it was a regular3 or MS3, or how fast the guy was going, or if it really was only 2" of water.

I know to try and avoid highwater at all costs, especially with a CAI. but even driving down the freeway in a hard-rain, your gonna hit some puddles that are up to a couple inches deep.

so i guess the main part of the question is: what CAI's are less suseptible (if any) to sucking water. i saw that K&N sells a microfiber filter cover that supposedly won't allow water in the intake without restricting airflow. does it really work? and finally, am i just being paranoid?

 

dont hit puddles at WOT and you have no problems. Enjoy the CAI and dont let people scare you.

 

or you can get a short ram intake. Either way, it works

 

WOT?!? WOT's WOT??

no... just kidding ><;

sorry... bad joke. anyway, lol thanks for the input. now i just need to find that coupon the dealer sent me for accessories before it expires

 

I've had the MS CAI on for weeks now living in Portland without water sucking issues. The cover underneath the engine seems to be doing a sufficient job of blocking water.

 

cool, another smashing review

thanks

 

If you take a look at the design of the CAI, and where it actually sits, you'll notice it's pretty safe.

The filter will sit in front of the passenger wheel well. Have a look under your car, you will notice that said area is sealed off, not wide open.

The CAI will be getting most of it's air from your lower grille opening.

As long as you don't flood that opening (at least 6+ inches off the ground) you should be fine.

I've had my CAI for a while, with the water-shield you mentioned, never had an issue.

 

I believe JPro meant sits in front of the DRIVER's wheel well. I have the MazdaSpeed CAI on my 04 Mz3 hatch. I drove in deep water myself and scared the SiHT out of me. The only issue was i had a check engine light on for 3 days. Ran a little bit weird, but It then went out and I then cleaned the filter and all has been well. I have gone through medium rains and some puddles. No issues. Hope this easies fears

 

actually the place where the filter is located has a gill just behind it so if you live in a rainy place you should consider buying a splash guard or seal that vent with a piece of fiber or something, because with the tire rotation the water gets in there

 

Yes, the 3 tends to get a little wet in there...not hydrolock wet, but CEL wet.

 

cool, cool. feeling better and better everytime i check the thread, thanks a ton.

i fiound my coupon, but it expired at the end of last month (dammit ><; ) so with that out of the way now, new question, if you dont mind...

summo mentioned a short ram intake. whats the advantages/disadvantages of one over the other?

 

You get the K&N and use as a CAI during the summer and SRI during the winter.

 

+1

but its also the most expensive.

i've had my CAI on for 12,000km's now, and not a single problem. no CEL's no water being sucked in, nothing.

from what ive read, you pretty much have to submerse the intake in water for it to hydrolock.

and if your really worried, just buy a Hydrosheild. its pretty much a sock that fits over the intake to prevent any water from being sucked in.

 

cool. i'll definately look into getting one. thanks again ev1 ^^

 

Ok late response here...

I had the same doubt about getting a CAI but then finally I decided to just go for it. I've had mine for a while, and i live in an area with little to no drain systems in some streets so we get pretty flooded. Since i've had mine I have not had a problem with it, at all...I occassionally take it off and chect the inside of my pipe to see if i see any water spots but i haven't seen any. I say go for it, like what was stated before its in a pretty enclosed area.