Mazdaspeed CAI + Carwash
 

So who else has the Mazdaspeed intake setup, and what is your car washing technique?

Basically I just washed my car and thought about how it is inevitable that I got the air filter soaked. I assume I should let it sit there for a while before starting. Input please.


EDIT::

I've gotten a few nice responses now. No need for any more. Also no need to be huffy it was an innocent question! =(

Dry it out, then do some searches.
I believe there are socks that can be bought to go over it and I believe the MS intake is an AEM so that might help in your search as well.
Oh......and don't get it wet is the obvious answer.

I just used advanced search. I selected to only search titles and used the word "sock".
11 threads came up.
Try it so you get used to searching.
The google search routine you will see in some users signatures is even better than the search I just used.

Oh ok! I remember seeing threads on the AEM but I didn't know they were the same. And I know I shouldn't have gotten it wet, but I was washing absentmindedly. :eyetwitch

Thanks. =)

it has a sock to prevent water.

I have the Mazdaspeed CAI and YES it comes with a sock. I take my RX8 through a commercial car wash on a dry day, and I have no problems at all following the wash.

now that we are on topic, anybody now where i can get an air filter for the mazdaspeed CAI? I have the white paper one and would like to upgrade to something better.

AEM is the same so that works

If you don't care about the 'name' of the air filter, I just bought a red spectre one from Advance Auto and it fit fine. Something like this::

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_High-Flow-Long-Air-Filter-Spectre_22905801-P_N4027Q_P|GRP2026_____

^^^^ todays lesson: dont forget to wrap it so you can avoid problems down the road. lmao

really?

You are all worried about getting the filter a little wet?

You can submerge a filter up to 45% and it still wont suck in much water.
And even if it did, its no big deal as long as your not JUST sucking in water.

Dont worry about the filter as long as the front end of your car isnt submerged, you should be fine.

I wash it without problems.
Don't buy cheap filters or ones that need to be oiled. With a CAI sitting that low sucking in dirt is what may cause increased engine wear or problems... not some car wash water rofl.

You may be laughing but I wasn't. It's not like I was pissing my pants in fear, I was just concerned because it was a legit question at a time in which I had no previous experience. Right after posting this I went out and cranked it and moved it back over, but still would like to know so I don't freak out when I'm driving in pouring down rain.

Really? You make it sound really odd that I asked! I don't mean to sound dumb but I could have swore it was bad to get water in your engine. Thus the question. But thanks for the last part of your post that was actually helpful, if truthful.

It has already been covered a couple dozen of times.
You should be concerned about your replacement filter more than you are about washing your car.

Well since I'm not concerned about the filter at all, then I must not be concerned about getting it wet.

Sorry guys I don't know what sock you are referring to. The old filter I took off was gunked up and nasty, so I replaced it. Didn't look like nothing was on it. I didn't choose to put this intake on the car; it was like that when I bought it.

Soooo yeaaaaaaaaah.

Just because you never found dirt or sand when tearing an engine down.

the sock means it has a "plastic like" thing that covers the actual filter to prevent "some" water from contacting the filter.

some idiots "thought" they're smart and "OMG THE SOCK RESTRICTS AIRFLOW IM SO 1337 & COOL SO IM GONNA LEAVE IT OUT"

when the fact is that the sock does not restrict anything, its there for a reason and when you take it out, sure it works, but your filter will be contacting water directly.

you got your car from dealer or private party ? if private party I will ask the person u got it from "where did the sock go"


and ... you replaced the filter? You do know that you can wash it and reuse it right ? ... *sweat*

http://www.aemintakes.com/store/prod...rod=AEM-1-4001 SOCK

http://www.aemintakes.com/store/prod...Prod=21-2109BF FILTER (well pretty close I think)

While the socks do prevent some water from getting in by being resistant to an extent, their main purpose is to prevent fine dust element from getting through, not water. I know a lot of people say it's to prevent water from getting in but that's simply not true; it's repellent, not resistant.

Eh it beads a LOT of water off it

Again, not saying it doesn't repel water, just clarifying from what I recall was the main intent of the pre-filter.

Washing your car isn't gonna send water shooting into your engine. Otherwise you wouldn't be able to drive in the rain.

I know what you are saying Vlaze, but your wording is making it sound like it doesn't block much water. I'm saying that for the noobs.

I could post a picture of it, but it looked like paper and was seriously black and oily and gunky! I got it from a dealer and I have had no luck finding the original owner. But the old one definitely didn't have anything around it. It looked like it had been ran through garbage and never changed or washed.

Well I posted up what you should get.

This is the answer I was looking for. =)

Thank you!

Actually, I'm not really suprised at the question, we all have to learn somewhere. My surprise was at all the replies containing equal worry about water from the filter.

Multiple people have sucked in enough water with the MS intake to cause problems.

I have the MS intake and have never gotten any problems because of it. When washing I just avoid throwing pressurized water directly into it.
I will replace the stock paper filter with the AEM that someone suggested, it looks better than the paper ones.

That AEM filter is what comes on the MS intake. I have it too and never had a problem with water.

Mine says Mazdaspeed on it and it's a white paper one. Doesn't look like the one in the picture.

Yeah that's the one that was originally on mine!

Yes, this is what started the thread. Just concern from hearsay.


And yes when I said I got it soaked, I meant because I literally sprayed directly into the grille for several seconds to clean the soap off it.

spraying is not the same as driving over a deep puddle.

...I wouldn't think it was but I would like to know the consequences of both! :eyetwitch

Thanks for your responses though. ^_^

Sometimes people just worry WAY too much

Never worry, always concern, but is usually counteracted by a curious mind that is easily mistaken for a caring notion. :scatter:

ok, stop the "concern!"

"the filter is ok" ---- NYCGPS just told ya that. :mdrmed::mdrmed::doh:

I'll I'm gonna say.......and was eluded as such in my very first response in this thread is that it has been noted on here(in several threads) that SOME people have had an issues with the intake getting wet when running this type of setup without the sock. You take that for what's it worth or not....I don't care. That last comment is more directed at SpIcEz and not the OP.
You search it out and make up your own mind. Of course it depends on the level of soakness(if you will) :wallbash:
Over and out!

Which still really surprises me.

I used to own a 2001 Sentra. Our CAI went into the bottom of the front bumper. People would ride through floods and not really have problems. Its baffles me that people have problems when a little water is prayed on it.

it's not a little water that causes a problem..............

Exactly.

If you take the time to read all posts on this forum or others about people having problems with water on their filter, you slowly find out that what THEY call a puddle, I would call a river or a lake.

As I mentioned before. Make sure not to submerge the front end of your car. Rain or some water sprayed onto the fitler isnt a big deal. If you super soak the filter, then dry it first.

Its that simple.

I didn't say I was STILL concerned lol.

Guys. Your messages were clear no need to clarify anymore! o_o

Get rid of it and buy a Racing Beat intake.

See the MS problems here

https://www.rx8club.com/canada-forum-35/ms-cai-through-car-wash-testing-theory-162481/

once you get the ball rolling, it's hard to stop it :lol:

Hey guys and gals, I have a MSCAI on BOTH my 2008 40th Anniversary RX8 and my 2008 Mazdaspeed3 GT. I use a Waterline Auto Car Wash ( a national chain in the US). I use it year-round . I have had absolutely no problems after any car wash there. No engine problems, no problems at all.

I live in south New Jersey and we do get some heavy snow and cold days in the winter. Even then I don't get icy problems on the intake filter. Maybe the Waterline car wash doesn't have as strong an undercarriage wash as the ones you are using. It may really depend on the weather where you live and what kind if auto car wash you use. So don't just blame the MSCAI. I have been happy with both of mine for years now, and they have been trouble free.

I have owned seven rotary engine Mazdas , driven over a million miles in rotary cars since 1972, and have used Racing Beat and Mazdaspeed parts over the years for my street and racing needs. . The MSCAI is a better performer than the Racing Beat intake in this instance. Make your choice based on the weather where you live, but don't listen to nay sayers who just tell you the MSCAI is no good.