AEM bypass valve broke?
Thread Starter
THE RED 6th GEN Coupe
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 0
From: Chicagoland, IL
The bypass valve isn't an airfilter, it's a passive safety valve that sits around hoping to never be needed. It should have a fairly static life under the hood of the car.
Looking at the design of most conical tube style intakes, that I will now nickname them TUBE-TAKES, why do they need to be mandrel bent metal for the pipes?
The OE intake tube is plenty big, and very flexable, hey our engines rotate on motor mounts the intake tube should be able to do that too. The OE's can but I don't think these TUBE-TAKES can, at least not well enough. My AEM CAI has one, sad little rubber isolation mount. It's always bothered me.
In all honesty how long have tube-takes been on the market not long, have many owners had one on a car for 4-5-10years yet? Likely the sad truth is the demographic is likely one that won't own the cars long enough to have them fail, I'm likely a minority.
I also don't see why the filter needs to be outside the car? Why not put the new higher flow filter into a box (isolated from engine heat) and suck the cold air to it. Comptech has the better idea, too bad their line is limited. And comptech's design would be much better if they allowed for some type of bypass as well. Even the new TSX icebox could become a gaint straw.
Just to be clear also I'm not trying to be the Ralph Nadar of intakes now, but I've become very miffed since this failure. Look at the market for the 4cyl 6th gen, you have ebay knock offs, AEM, Injen and who else really making these things, why? And why aren't they built more like an OEM style? The OEM's don't perform because of the sound isolation systems employed the tube and filter location are usually ideal from the mfg's? Why don't aftermarket systems just resolve the filter-air flow issue?
Looking at the design of most conical tube style intakes, that I will now nickname them TUBE-TAKES, why do they need to be mandrel bent metal for the pipes?
The OE intake tube is plenty big, and very flexable, hey our engines rotate on motor mounts the intake tube should be able to do that too. The OE's can but I don't think these TUBE-TAKES can, at least not well enough. My AEM CAI has one, sad little rubber isolation mount. It's always bothered me.
In all honesty how long have tube-takes been on the market not long, have many owners had one on a car for 4-5-10years yet? Likely the sad truth is the demographic is likely one that won't own the cars long enough to have them fail, I'm likely a minority.
I also don't see why the filter needs to be outside the car? Why not put the new higher flow filter into a box (isolated from engine heat) and suck the cold air to it. Comptech has the better idea, too bad their line is limited. And comptech's design would be much better if they allowed for some type of bypass as well. Even the new TSX icebox could become a gaint straw.
Just to be clear also I'm not trying to be the Ralph Nadar of intakes now, but I've become very miffed since this failure. Look at the market for the 4cyl 6th gen, you have ebay knock offs, AEM, Injen and who else really making these things, why? And why aren't they built more like an OEM style? The OEM's don't perform because of the sound isolation systems employed the tube and filter location are usually ideal from the mfg's? Why don't aftermarket systems just resolve the filter-air flow issue?
Thread Starter
THE RED 6th GEN Coupe
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 0
From: Chicagoland, IL
Update: I have been contacted by AEM.
Once I submit proof of original invoice they will issue an Authorization number so I can mail the bypass valve in for evaluation. However, since I sent them photos (JPEGS) the technical service dept. comments made the warranty sound in favor of a replacement.
Before I put the cart ahead of the horse I'll see how the evaluation goes. Then I'll question, build and reliability of the replacement unit.
I'll keep you updated.
Once I submit proof of original invoice they will issue an Authorization number so I can mail the bypass valve in for evaluation. However, since I sent them photos (JPEGS) the technical service dept. comments made the warranty sound in favor of a replacement.
Before I put the cart ahead of the horse I'll see how the evaluation goes. Then I'll question, build and reliability of the replacement unit.
I'll keep you updated.
Thread Starter
THE RED 6th GEN Coupe
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 0
From: Chicagoland, IL
Update:
AEM recieved my invoice showing proof of purchase over 4 years ago and is shipping a new replacement bypass valve to my house. It should arrive soon, I'm to ship the failed unit back to them in the box the new unit is in. I can only hope they want the old unit back for R&D, I'm not sure many others have had an AEM bypass valve in use for over 4.5 years, anyone? (See saving reciepts forever like a pack rat has paid off.
)
I guess I'm to assume the new unit coming will last longer then my original unit? I'll inspect the new unit when I it arrives. I'll ask questions to AEM at that time if they appear the same. This new unit may differ some then my current unit, I'm not sure I won't know until I have them side by side.
I have to give them credit, it would appear they are standing by the bypass valve. Although, again I hope the new unit last longer then 4 years...and yes I plan to still have my Accord then. None the less, I'm impressed they even gave me the time of day after seeing the invoice date of 4+ years. I can't say I see this very often in real world. I'll post another update when the replacement bypass unit arrives.
AEM recieved my invoice showing proof of purchase over 4 years ago and is shipping a new replacement bypass valve to my house. It should arrive soon, I'm to ship the failed unit back to them in the box the new unit is in. I can only hope they want the old unit back for R&D, I'm not sure many others have had an AEM bypass valve in use for over 4.5 years, anyone? (See saving reciepts forever like a pack rat has paid off.
)I guess I'm to assume the new unit coming will last longer then my original unit? I'll inspect the new unit when I it arrives. I'll ask questions to AEM at that time if they appear the same. This new unit may differ some then my current unit, I'm not sure I won't know until I have them side by side.
I have to give them credit, it would appear they are standing by the bypass valve. Although, again I hope the new unit last longer then 4 years...and yes I plan to still have my Accord then. None the less, I'm impressed they even gave me the time of day after seeing the invoice date of 4+ years. I can't say I see this very often in real world. I'll post another update when the replacement bypass unit arrives.
Thread Starter
THE RED 6th GEN Coupe
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 0
From: Chicagoland, IL
Update: 7-16-2005
My replacement AEM bypass valve arrived via FedEx to my home on Friday from AEM. I checked the unit out as soon as I arrived home from work. Aside from the fact the filter foam on the new unit appears more dense the actual construction of the new unit is identical to my failed unit.
I did reinstall the new bypass valve and AEM CAI back into my Accord, I did miss the CAI sound. I also have pictures side by side that I can post if anyone cares.
I have sent AEM an email asking about life span of the new unit as well. In addition AEM sent a CARB sticker with my bypass valve I didn't have one w/ my original unit, nice. Tech support e-mails from AEM had requested I send the failed unit back however no FedEx return data was with the new bypass valve or AEM invoice.
I'll keep you posted if I hear more from AEM. But as far as I can tell my new unit will likely fail in the same way years down the road as it's over shell is made of identical plastic to my original unit. And the new unit also has the same plastic clip holding the inner foam in place to prevent ingestion of the inner foam filter, I would have thought they would have better addressed that issue on newer units.
My replacement AEM bypass valve arrived via FedEx to my home on Friday from AEM. I checked the unit out as soon as I arrived home from work. Aside from the fact the filter foam on the new unit appears more dense the actual construction of the new unit is identical to my failed unit.
I did reinstall the new bypass valve and AEM CAI back into my Accord, I did miss the CAI sound. I also have pictures side by side that I can post if anyone cares.
I have sent AEM an email asking about life span of the new unit as well. In addition AEM sent a CARB sticker with my bypass valve I didn't have one w/ my original unit, nice. Tech support e-mails from AEM had requested I send the failed unit back however no FedEx return data was with the new bypass valve or AEM invoice.
I'll keep you posted if I hear more from AEM. But as far as I can tell my new unit will likely fail in the same way years down the road as it's over shell is made of identical plastic to my original unit. And the new unit also has the same plastic clip holding the inner foam in place to prevent ingestion of the inner foam filter, I would have thought they would have better addressed that issue on newer units.