Skidpan casualty

Johnny8Bit

Active member
Yesterday was at bad day @ BMW Club Gymkhana.
Realised on the first run that driving through standing water does not do my E36 any good. Soon as I hit the water the car lost power and started spluttering. Some spectators reported excessive smoke coming from the car, but I didn't really see it from inside. It started but didn't really rev and couldn't hold idle. Anyway, I didn't do any more runs and left it to dry. But no go. Later it was better as in the idle was smoother and didn't die on its own, but if you put in in gear and give throttle it still just switched off.

Eventually figured out it works so long as its above 4000rpm. Took me forever to drive it home like that. Was a real bitch, specially when needing to slow down or stop for something.

This morning its a little better, at least it gets going a bit easier. But still cuts out at lower revs, even while driving. Wtf?

:argh:
 

Twinz

Forum - Support
Staff member
Not good. Dont drive her until you have isolated the problem. Check the basics...oil, water, plugs etc
 

Johnny8Bit

Active member
Dippies said:
that sucks so do you know whats the problem

No idea. You would think that if it was water related then drying it out would fix it, and it should be dry by now. So makes me think something came loose or got fried. But then if something is fried then why would it get better? Think its time to see an electrician..
 

Johnny8Bit

Active member
DROP IT - ZN said:
Do you by any chance have an induction kit or cone filter? That usually happens when water gets to the filter

Yes, good guess. Cone filter is down in the bumper where the spot light used to be.
 

DROP IT - ZN

Active member
Johnny8Bit said:
DROP IT - ZN said:
Do you by any chance have an induction kit or cone filter? That usually happens when water gets to the filter

Yes, good guess. Cone filter is down in the bumper where the spot light used to be.

Have the cone removed and properly sun dried and re oiled, also give the maf and clean with a maf spray to remove any water droplets that may have sucked in...

I used to have this prob when my Nissan v6 bakkie used to go through water puddles ( I didn't have no dust covers and cone mounted low)
 

Fordkoppie

///Member
Yet another great advantage of CIA :fencelook:

Also blow out the spark plug holes after taking out the coils.
On the s50 they are not sealed off and water collects down at the plug and takes years to dry by itself
 

Johnny8Bit

Active member
So it was the air flow meter in the end.
But I did get the cone moved higher up in the engine bay so this shouldn't be happening again.
Car is runing lekker again.

:inlove:
 
S

SP33DYV

Guest
Johnny8Bit said:
So it was the air flow meter in the end.
But I did get the cone moved higher up in the engine bay so this shouldn't be happening again.
Car is runing lekker again.

:inlove:

Lucky.:thumbs:
 

Rayzor

Well-known member
Yet again i learn something new, "Hydrolock" would never of quest that, i would have checked the coil and plugs then blow dry every electrical part i found. :bravo:
 

Luis Malhou

///Member
Seen this before, guys when you go off for skidpans, especially those with modified intakes and so forth, make sure the cones are splash guarded. Also make sure you car CANNOT suck in water through the intake. Water doesn't compress!!! but it bends conrods!!

Bad quality cone filters from paper can get soggy from constantly staying wet on the skidpans, disintegrate and allow water to enter.

This goes for the road too, rainy season is coming and also our flooded roads!! Be careful out there..
 

Major

Active member
If you're worried about taking on water you can use a bypass filter. If at any point your CAI takes on water, air will be sucked through the bypass and the water won't get sucked up. Doubles as a kind of sponge. Not really suitable for the turbo-charged guys since it's a bit small.

air_bypass_valve_wt.jpg


http://www.aemintakes.com/air_bypass_valve.htm
 
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