Your best bet is to fab up some sort of splash shield over the wheel well vents. A lot of people just get some metal ducting or something and screw it on. It allows air to come in, but cuts down on soaking the filter...

It also depends on what sort of CAI you have. Different CAI's have the MAF in different locations relative to the incoming air end of the intake piping. CAI's like the CP-E put the MAF much lower in the wheel well area, and a lot closer to the end where moisture is likely to get. Other CAI's like the AEM/MS have it further up the intake tract, closer to the engine, and will probably be less likely to get affected by moisture because it would have to come a lot further up the piping.

Just be aware it can be an issue, and figure out a way to minimize the risk, and you'll be fine.

 

Thanks man..
I have a mazdaspeed Cai. I'll look into a shield tho for sure

 

I live down in central Fl, where I swear lately its been raining almost everyday, and haven't had any problems with mine whatsoever. Believe me, we get some pretty bad storms down here from time to time (as a matter of fact its drizzling here now right after a heavy downpour) but if its stuttering and such you might want to take it off or maybe just your filter to see if any water got through.

 

Hummm i've been running mine for a good 8 months probably... Up in oregon through the rain... down in NorCal through some rain.. and SoCal through some rain/flooding... No problems... Honestly the only problem i can see you having is if you dunk the filter into standing water... but... you really shouldn't be driving in water that deep anyway... i've seen people crack manifolds and exhausts doing that.... Super hot steel vs cold water / rapid cooling = bad news

 

I live out in portland and have lots of rain. Had no problems. Just don't submerge it. That is when you have big problems.

 

You don't need a splash shield. Texas - as you may have seen on the national news - just had 6 months of rain in the last few weeks and I was driving through it all. As others mentioned above, as long as you don't drive through standing water - which would have to be over 10" deep to reach the intake - and submerge the filter, you'll have no problems.

 

Because of my FMIC we had to cut the cold air and make a short ram, well after about a week of straight heavy raining last week, the filter stayed completely dry, so that is a perk of having a short ram.

 

*sigh*

There are other issues with water besides submerging the filter and sucking in large amounts of it. There are DOCUMENTED instances where people have had CEL's and trash their MAF's because of crap getting past the filter. Just because none of you have had noticeable issues with yours, DOES NOT mean that others will not, or that you aren't getting SOME moisture up there without knowing it or caring.

There was a guy on here last winter that had to have his whole MAF replaced because his CP-E CAI allowed all kinds of salt, dirt and water up into his intake tract and trashed his MAF. The fact is, if it's pouring out that hard like the storms can be in the south, the air you are pulling in is SATURATED with moisture, and your tires are throwing lots and lots of water through those fender well vents ALL OVER your filter.

I'm sure that even getting some water up into your intake system is not a good idea...especially if you are planning on keeping the car a long time.

So, yeah...don't waste your time with a splash shield that would cost under $10 to make/install, water is clearly not an issue...

 

I cleaned my filter a couple weeks ago. I didn't even have caked on salt like I thought I would. I agree that as long as you aren't driving through deep standing water, you will be fine. Any water that gets through the filter will evaporate before reaching the engine, unless the filter is completely submerged, thus creating a suction.

 

I cleaned my filter a couple weeks ago. I didn't even have caked on salt like I thought I would. I agree that as long as you aren't driving through deep standing water, you will be fine. Any water that gets through the filter will evaporate before reaching the engine, unless the filter is completely submerged, thus creating a suction.[/b]

I got caught in some heavy rain this weekend on a road trip here in Texas. There was no standing water on the roads, just a lot coming down.
When I would start to boost a little the car would hesitate some, almost like misfires, I think it was just the MAF getting wet. Once the weather dried, no more issues at all. I've got a shield in the works so I don't have to go through this again.

 

I got caught in some heavy rain this weekend on a road trip here in Texas. There was no standing water on the roads, just a lot coming down.
When I would start to boost a little the car would hesitate some, almost like misfires, I think it was just the MAF getting wet. Once the weather dried, no more issues at all. I've got a shield in the works so I don't have to go through this again.[/b]

CPE intakes seem to cause more weather related problems. As, Insane, said before, the MAF sits right above the filter and much more prone to problems.

 

It's raining alot here in Toronto and I read a post not to long ago of someone who seized there motor by going over alot of water. How much water is to much and how comon is this issue with our cars. A while back I got hit with a REALLY bad rain storm and freeked out because I could barely see infront of me and kept driving into big puddles of water and when I got home a CEL came on and I had to scan it but the car ran like shit and stutterd alot before I reset the batery.[/b]

I already did a write up on this. Here you go:

http://forum.mazda6club.com/index.php?s=&a...st&p=897109

 

I'd imagine one other option would be to run the stock airbox without the resonator but not the full mod of taking out that tray in the middle on the airbox itself. That should function as a shield for any spray or crap that gets in as it will hit that tray and bounce off. Besides anything heavy enough to cause damage won't be sucked in past the air filter anyway. I mean, isn't that what the filter is for? If you're concerned enough about a CAI, but still want the sound effect and somewhat better breathing, then that may be the way to go. It won't be as effective as completely opening up the airbox but I'm not sure about that to begin with. I'd rather leave that tray in there to act as a shield.

 

I have the CP-E intake. With the dirty winters in MN I wanted to be on the safe side and bought an Injen Hydroshield. This will repel rain and road salt from the filter and hopefully be enough to save my MAF. I would imagine the filter will be much cleaner as an added bonus. I ran without the shield for a week, and didn't notice any power or sound decrease after putting it on.

I considered fabricating a metal shield, but I didn't want to restrict airflow around the filter or to the brakes. I figured even if the hydroshield impeded air intake, at least it would be getting more available flow. Either way I'm sure the 2.3L isn't going to be starving for oxygen.

 

I already did a write up on this. Here you go:

http://forum.mazda6club.com/index.php?s=&a...st&p=897109[/b]

I also did that fender mod since it happen to me some month ago. WITHOUT driving through deep standing water, just in heavy rain \ melted snow. All same problem that MattOKC had. But before the winter come back I will reinstall the OEM air box.

 

My Goretex shield has been great.

My MS6 would sputter when boosting in the rain. This has solved that problem.

 

I have never heard of anyone completely destroying a MAF because of water, more than likely they just coated the sensor with gunk and it needed to be cleaned with some electrical curcuit cleaner.

The stock air box is designed to keep dirt and water out of the engine, when you put a CAI on and the filter is exposed in any way then you are going to have problems with water and dirt. It just goes with the territory. Fortunately you would probably be really supprised by how much water you have to suck into an engine to get it to hydrolock.

A little water can actually be good for an engine because it steam cleans any carbon deposits from the combustion area. Its an old trick that most don't know about any more.

 

Before installing my SRI I had my MAF shorted out by water while driving in moderate rain with the stock airbox with the resonator removed. Apparently enough water came up through the wheel well and past the paper filter to screw it up. Hate to think what would have happened if I had a CAI.

 

Look people, unless you drive through lakes, you'll be fine. Stop asking about rain & a CAI. It's dumb.

 

Look people, unless you drive through lakes, you'll be fine. Stop asking about rain & a CAI. It's dumb.[/b]

Tell that to my brother who hydro locked his Nissan. $4000 later .......

 

Guys the solution to this is reaaaaaaly simple. As Insane mentioned, just put something over your wheel well vents.

Some people have done it really nicely.

I literally took a disposable baking pan, ripped it up by hand and covered my vents. Bolted it in with some simple screws, nuts and washers. It' probably took me about 20 minutes to do. Most of that time was spent jacking up the car and removing the wheel.....and sifting through the junk in my glove box to get to the lug key.

I did this in the winter time, so there was tons of moisture and slush and snow.

I had the Fijuta CAI at the tiem, and when i sold it this summer, the filter wasn't even slightly dirty.

 

Tell that to my brother who hydro locked his Nissan. $4000 later .......[/b]

Where was the filter? How much water did he drive through? How fast was he driving when he went through it? It takes A HELL OF A LOT to do that shit via a CAI...

 

i also have the goretex shield and my car has seen some serious puddles. I have not had any problem yet. corss my fingers.

 

Cool!!!!!!! I have pieces of Goretex if someone wants to paypal me some $$$ I'll send some to you. I have too much.

 

Look people, unless you drive through lakes, you'll be fine. Stop asking about rain & a CAI. It's dumb.[/b]

Oh, thanks for putting this topic to rest. :sarc:


***ATTENTION ALL FORUM MEMBERS***

MagicMan is now the final answer on ANY, I mean ANY, question regarding the MS6. If anyone tells you different, they are CLEARLY WRONG.

I have never heard of anyone completely destroying a MAF because of water, more than likely they just coated the sensor with gunk and it needed to be cleaned with some electrical curcuit cleaner.

The stock air box is designed to keep dirt and water out of the engine, when you put a CAI on and the filter is exposed in any way then you are going to have problems with water and dirt. It just goes with the territory. Fortunately you would probably be really supprised by how much water you have to suck into an engine to get it to hydrolock.

A little water can actually be good for an engine because it steam cleans any carbon deposits from the combustion area. Its an old trick that most don't know about any more.[/b]

http://forum.mazda6club.com/index.php?s=&a...st&p=935049

He needed to have his MAF replaced under warranty. It's even better when all the water that gets in there also had lots of dissolved salt in it...