Cold air intake.

[triple28]

Is there any threat of water being ingested into engine with a cold air intake? Does a cold air intake void warranties?

[EyesofFreedom]

Alright...the first question is threat of water intake.

There is a threat if you install the intake improperly or drive through really deap puddles. Most cold air intakes place the filter in the fender between the bumper and the fender liner. It is very important to keep the fender liner intact and in place! This keeps all water coming off the tire while driving on a wet surface off the filter and out of the motor.

I would say that 95% of all water damaged engines that had a cold air intake was because the person installed it and damaged or did not replace the liner! If you want you can go one step further by installing a bypass valve between the primary and secondary pipes for added protection.

Second question...warranty.

I bought a certified used Honda from a Honda dealer and asked the same question cause the car is under warranty to 100,000 miles. They gave me a list of approved modifications that would not void the warranty. You can ask the dealer if there are any modification stipulations in your warranty and if so ask for a list of approved modifications.

It should list what you can do and the supplier/manufacturer that is allowed. I was suprised to find out that for my civic I could only use a Injen or Fujita cold air intake...AEM was not allowed! Which really doesnt bother me because they are just overpriced Injen units!

[ThatGuy4life]

minor correction, the liner is not really a part of causing the intake to suck up water, water will not be sucked into the engine from just splashing against the filter, it needs to be submerged (not entirely) into water for it to cause any damaged. Been driving with CAI's for years without splash guards on any of my civics and never hydrolocked.

[EyesofFreedom]

Originally Posted by ThatGuy4life

minor correction, the liner is not really a part of causing the intake to suck up water, water will not be sucked into the engine from just splashing against the filter, it needs to be submerged (not entirely) into water for it to cause any damaged. Been driving with CAI's for years without splash guards on any of my civics and never hydrolocked.

Well I have been running them in Savannah which rains and floods all the time and never had any problem. If you leave the liner intake and go through a large puddle there is even less chance the intake will see much if any water.

The bottom of the liner on my 92 actually dented itself against the filter when I drove through a puddle about 6-8" deep...got down the block and checked and the filter was almost totally dry. Just had a slight dampness but you will get that with a stock aibox and paper filter in any vehicle in the rain.

Reinstalling the liner helps alot more than most people know. As an ex mechanic I have seen several cars hydrolock and atleast half would not have happened had the liner been left in. Especially on Waters AVE., that road floods everytime it sprinkles!