GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I was wondering from those that have CAI do you was your car in a car wash? I was wondering if that would be a problem with having a CAI.

I would think even with an underbody he should be ok, because the filter is hidden well above the splash guards...yes/no?

I've been through all different kinds of automatic washing places with no problem. The filter is well guarded where it's at.

The compartment was pretty wet the last time i forgot and did the underbody wash....but no wetter than it gets when going through a heavy rain at highway speed. But, both situations do get pretty wet.

Outta curiosity, what happens if water does get sucked into the engine via the CAI?

ohh...so water in intake = bad news ---i would just think it would cause the engine to misfire or something...maybe stall out...i didn't think it would like blow it up or anything...

quote:Outta curiosity, what happens if water does get sucked into the engine via the CAI?If it's just a little bit of water, it's probably not a big deal. Your engine won't run very well until it's gone.If you ingest enough, since the water won't burn, it will be compressed by the piston and stop the piston from returning to the top of its stroke. It can make quite a mess out of your engine.http://www.prepsparkplugs.com/hydrofact.htmKeep in mind though that to suck up that much water you'd have to completely immerse the filter. If you did that with our cars you'd probably have water running across your feet as well. That is if you're at stock ride height of course.

I dont take my cars anywhere near automatic car washes. But, you should be fine.

One of these days I'll have my own "automatic", voice activated car wash: "Girls: Wash daddy's car!" LOL!

being so close to the college that I went to I get the auto wash all the time. Pledges wash my car! I love being a Sigma Tau Gamma alumni that is walking distance from campus. Every semester i get trash traken out dog walks car washes and lawn cuts courtesy of new pledges. It's always christmas to me!

quote:I dont take my cars anywhere near automatic car washes. But, you should be fine. I agree. I don't take mine to automatic car washes either. Personal preference. If I did take it to one, I wouldn't worry about my intake.

silverawd, how do you plan on getting that Michigan road salt out from under your car this winter, without underbody wash? Just wondering, since I'd like to get a CAI too.

Like I said before, I don't think going through a car wash with an underbody blast would do anything to the CAI. I plan on going through a touchless wash after every winter to get the salt off of the bottom of my car as well. But nothing on a regular basis.

Really you'd still run the risk. The filter will get wet either way. When you start your car up, it will suck up whatever water is in the filter. I don't think there's much risk unless you drive through standing water. A spray is always going to be diffuse and the filter will make it more so. It would be nearly impossible to pull in any significant amount from a spray. Even in standing water it would take a bit. It's like dumping water through a screen of cheesecloth. It takes a bit to get all the water through. Add the oil on the filter that will block some of the water and I wonder how long it would take to suck up enough water? That would be an interesting (but expensive) test. I think I'll spare using my car for it though.

Saw this on the Injen web site, for what it's worth.quote:*Injen Technology Cold Air Intake Systems should be removed in any wet climates or on any wet roads or highways. Failure to comply with the above warnings may cause water to be absorbed into the engine through the filter causing serious damage to your motor. Injen Technology Co., Ltd. assumes no liability for damages toy your motor due to water entering your engine through teh Injen intake system. Seems like a lot of trouble to follow the manufacturers advice.

I run my car thru an auto wash atleast once a week. I usually get the underbody spray too. Never had a problem thus far. I think the splash guard keeps it very well protected.

ok, this is for anybody:say i want to show off my cai and whatnot, how do i clean the engine?

Lorin, when your girls are really old enough to help they will want to wash their own cars!

quote:The touchless ones work great.... Just make sure not to get under body anymore.I get the underbody wash all the time it doesn't get that much water in that area.

quote:Saw this on the Injen web site, for what it's worth.*Injen Technology Cold Air Intake Systems should be removed in any wet climates or on any wet roads or highways. Failure to comply with the above warnings may cause water to be absorbed into the engine through the filter causing serious damage to your motor. Injen Technology Co., Ltd. assumes no liability for damages toy your motor due to water entering your engine through teh Injen intake system. Seems like a lot of trouble to follow the manufacturers advice. This is commonly referred to as Corporate CYA...

quote:ok, this is for anybody:say i want to show off my cai and whatnot, how do i clean the engine?By using the well-equipped SEARCH feature, using the query "washing engine," I come up with the following threads... http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=3591 http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=3630 http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=859