OK, so I bought a AEM cold air intake for my 2003 mazda 6i and has yet to be installed. However I have over the last few day read some interesting facts about this thing called hydro-locking where the CAI sucks up water. Now one on a scale 1-10 has bad is that foe the engine and the car, I assume petty bad. Two, there are some things that AEM makes called a bypass valve for their CAI however I am not sure if it will be adaptable to my CAI. If it is what do they cost? And If not is there anything that will further protect the engine from hydro locking. I live in Wisconsin and it rains and it dosn't flood all that often but I have sean water up to my bumper and is that high enought to cause damage. It also snows a ton and if my car is parked outside will the snow ge into the nozzle of the CAI and if it does will my car start. Am I ok safe or did I just pay $279.99 on a part that is going to destroy my car?

Any info is appretiated.
Thank you

 

I just talked w/ an AEM rep, and he said that their bypass valve is NOT compatible with the CAI I am getting for my 6. Should I cut and run return it or sell it and opt for a SRI instead? Please help I only have a few days befor the part will get installed.

 

Bumper high water (middle high) is liable to cause you trouble, since the CAI will be behind the bumper cover. Snow I wouldn't think to be a big problem.Hydro-locking only occursunder extreme circumstances. I would think if you're cautious in that kind of weather you will be all right.

 

Awesome that sets my mind at ease a bit, I think if thats the case all should be well.
I apprectiate it. and congrats on 4000 Posts!!

 

Hmmm.I hadn't even noticed that.Thanks! 'Course now it'll be 4001 posts.
But while we're on the subject of 4's, virgin1 turns 4yrs old tomorrow. I brought her home 4 yrs ago.Build date is actually 02/04. And with slightly less than 41k miles on the clock that still means bye-bye to the factory warranty. [&o]

 

Nice I just had my one year anniversery with Sara (what i named her). August 3rd...bought her used but she's all mine now.

 

To elaborate on what Virgin has said, unless you are going offroading or driving through areas that are like a friggen swiming pool ur not gonna get hydro-lock. In order for hydro-lock to occur the entire filter has to be immersed in water so that the tube acts like a straw and sucks water into your engine.....it's not that easy to do.

-Cameron Keffer

 

on a scale of 1-10, hydrolocking is a 10 (bent connecting rods and a trashed block)...but as stated above, it's pretty hard to do.

 

Glad to hear it is rare, sets me at ease thanks.