IAT 130-140 deg do I have a problem?

[kaler]

I have a CAI inc. Intake. I have been data logging,the ambient temp is 95 deg at a stop the IAT is 130 - 140 deg and only drops to 120deg at 30-40 mph. I have to get up to 60+ mph to get the IAT below 100deg. Is this normal? Were the filter goes thru the side of the CAI box they have a rubber seal, there is a 1/4 inch gap all the way around the seal.

[Padre]

Originally Posted by kaler

I have a CAI inc. Intake. I have been data logging,the ambient temp is 95 deg at a stop the IAT is 130 - 140 deg and only drops to 120deg at 30-40 mph. I have to get up to 60+ mph to get the IAT below 100deg. Is this normal? Were the filter goes thru the side of the CAI box they have a rubber seal, there is a 1/4 inch gap all the way around the seal.

I don't know the CAI design, but if you're drawing in hot engine air, there's problably something wrong with the install. 130*+ IATs are not normal.

Padre

[bankrollb]

Mine reads ambient temps while driving. It is a great product. You may have it installed incorrectly.

[Rhino79]

I could see them getting that hot after shutting it off for 10-15 mins and restarting, just due to heat soak. Not normal operating temp though.

[axis]

Stop and think about it. At idle, your car is sucking in air from anywhere it can. Just so happens, when there's no moving air, it will suck hot air from the engine bay, that comes from underneath. It will also get air from the front opening that's right beside the radiator. OTR CAI's are going to be just as bad, if not worse, since ALL their air is comes directly off the radiator. It's perfectly fine to have those temps when idling. Once you start cruising, they temps should drop accordingly.

[Rhino79]

I think the OTR will be better actually, because you are drawing air from in front of the radiator, and while you will have some heated air from the radiator, that will be better than the engine compartment next to the exhaust manifold.

I rarely see those IAT's when data logging, normally those extreme temps are from heat soak when shut off. If the temps are only dropping to 120* at 40 mph, either the system isn't sealed off very well at the heat deflector, OR it just hasn't had enough time to cool down. From 140*, it will take 2-3 mins of cruising 30+ mph to cycle enough air through to cool it back down.

I don't know what material their tube material is, but the aluminum tube will run a little warmer than plastic.

[axis]

Originally Posted by Rhino79

I think the OTR will be better actually, because you are drawing air from in front of the radiator, and while you will have some heated air from the radiator, that will be better than the engine compartment next to the exhaust manifold.

I rarely see those IAT's when data logging, normally those extreme temps are from heat soak when shut off. If the temps are only dropping to 120* at 40 mph, either the system isn't sealed off very well at the heat deflector, OR it just hasn't had enough time to cool down. From 140*, it will take 2-3 mins of cruising 30+ mph to cycle enough air through to cool it back down.

I don't know what material their tube material is, but the aluminum tube will run a little warmer than plastic.

That might be true if the intake extended to the front of the car but it doesn't. The front of the car is pretty much enclosed and the heat from the radiator rises straight into the mouth of the intake. While that doesn't cause a problem when cruising, while sitting still the enclosed front of the car will hold the heat right where it is.

The CAI, along with almost all the other traditional spot CAI's have a heat shield that blocks off the direct heat from the engine bay. It can draw heat from the bottom when sitting still though. All CAI's rely on the car moving to get fresh air to their filter. Comparing idle IAT temps is pointless. I do agree that it takes a short while for the IAT's to come back down. A member on here video taped his IAT measurements and posted them up for all to see. I was amazed at just how fast your IAT's rise when you stop at a stoplight. It took considerably longer for them to go back down, once he was cruising again.

[kaler]

I can understand the IAT sky rocketing at a stop but mine seem to be staying high. I took the CAI out and inspected every thing. I think the boot that is installed in the side of the heat shield just does not fit tight enough around the filter. When I re installed it I put a bead of silicone around the base of the heat shield,under the lid and a nice thick one at the base of the filter were it buts up against the inside of the heat shield. I am not sure if the bead at the base of the filter will hold up because of the engine moving under load. I will data log the IAT tomorrow to see if this helps lower the IAT.

[Jayrcr3]

My CAI has no gap at all around the seal. Something is definitely wrong there. Every time I have logged mine I get 2-3* above ambient just about anytime I'm moving. Double check your install, and give Bill a call if something looks messed up. He will take care of you. My guess is he will respond to this post before the day is over.

[SSBUSDRVR]

My CAI has no gap at all around the seal. Something is definitely wrong there. Every time I have logged mine I get 2-3* above ambient just about anytime I'm moving.

No gap here either. And if remembering correctly, the 2d is just about in line with what the Janetty comparison test reported for the CAI Intake.

[axis]

There has to be a gap around the intake tube. The tube moves back and forth with the engine. If it wasn't there, it would eat up the heatshield.

[SSBUSDRVR]

There has to be a gap around the intake tube. The tube moves back and forth with the engine. If it wasn't there, it would eat up the heatshield.

Can't see the gap here Of course there is a tiny gap so there is some movement but that is splitting hairs.But there is noway a 1/4" gap like stated here. Something isn't right.

[Jayrcr3]

Originally Posted by axis

There has to be a gap around the intake tube. The tube moves back and forth with the engine. If it wasn't there, it would eat up the heatshield.

I just checked mine. there is ZERO gap around the tube. I even used a flashlight. You can't see any light around the seal. If the OP has a 1/4 inch gap its installed incorrectly, or he has a defective seal.

[kaler]

I finally got a chance to data log the IAT again. The ambient temp was 97 deg. Driving at any speed the IAT went down to 102deg when I hammered it they dropped to ambient temp 97 deg. At stop lights they only climbed to 106 deg. The silicone seems to be working great but I don't think it will hold up long term. I am going to come up with a better way to seal the hole/filter in the heat shield.