Possible Engine Problem with Cai?

[Samcro_NJ]

I am starting to hear a rattling noise when I accelerate. It can be more noticeable once you reach 2000 rpm or higher. It kind of sounds like a diesel truck when accelerating but nowhere near as loud. Is there any way the aem cai I installed caused this? I have checked all the connections and everything is still tight and nothing has become loose. I am just worried that when I take it in to get serviced that me dealer will say the warranty is void even though I believe that I am protected under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, granted the cai is not causing the problem. Any help is very appreciated so thank you in advance guys.

[punk2m1d]

I would check one more time to make sure the CAI is tight. Check the filter, check all the clamps, and the bracket that secures the CAI to the fender wall.

[Samcro_NJ]

I have just finished checking all the clamps and the bracket that secures the CAI to the fender wall. They all are as tight as can be. The filter does not appear to have moved or to be loose either and is still secured. I am still puzzled. I took it out for another quick ride around the neighborhood and can still hear the faint sound I described in my initial post when accelerating. I had my brother take it for a drive as well and he claims to hear nothing. The sound I am hearing could me just breaking the CAI in according to him. So at this point I do not know what to do.
I had my "Service Engine" light come on last night as well so I am thinking that it is hopefully something that was not caused by my CAI. If it is the O2 sensor that tripped the service engine light because of the CAI, will the dealer give me a hard time about it?

[punk2m1d]

Check that the MAF sensor is installed properly and tight. The sound could just be the sound of the engine now with a CAI. Are you in good with anyone at a stealership or car shop? Maybe they could check it out for ya?

[CadenceScion]

I would also like to pass along that I do not believe that having a CAI will void any warranties. I've had my AEM CAI in for 2 yrs now and never had an issue w/ passing emissions or ever got a CEL. Did you tighten the throttle body back down tight? If you have a CEL, go to a local autoparts store and have them read it, no charge for this either, I know cus I use to work for AutoZone. If everything is tight, have looked at your motor mounts or CV Shafts?

[Samcro_NJ]

I didn't know that I could get the code looked up for free at auto zone. thanks CadenceScion. I have one about 4 min from my job so I'll swing by after work tomorrow. I have checked everything a few times now and everything is still tight including the throttle body, nothing is close to coming loose as far as I can tell.
...and to punk2m1d, I have a friend who works at a dodge-chrysler dealership so maybe he can possibly at least check the cai once more for an independent look. Thanks to you both. I will let you know how I make out.

[navylife59]

Did your problems start when you installed the AEM? People that do this upgrade (any brand) that do have problems, it is mostly a loose coupling or disconnected vacuum line. Still, others have experienced problems from the MAF not being properly seated, in backwards, or kinked the o-ring causing it to leak air.

The rattle sound you hear could very be just the noise made by the intake valve pulses since you removed the Helmholtz resonator in the more restrictive OEM intake. If you are experiencing a power loss, it could be severe engine knock. If that is the case, you could be damaging your engine and it will cause you to void your warranty do to the direct relation to the aftermarket install. Please have those codes read ASAP.

BTW. You cannot "break-in" an intake. There is nothing to "break-in". Also, I have moved this post to the appropriate thread section.

[Samcro_NJ]

Sorry for posting in the wrong place navylife59. I have not been able to post much due to work and did not notice the error.

I had no problems at first. For the first 2k miles, there was no sounds at all. The sound I am noticing only came to light recently. I have experienced no power loss at all at this point. The light that I had come on, "service engine" turns out that it is an indicator to change the oil, which I have had done at every 3k thus far. I was able to clear the error myself with the help of the dealership.

As far as the noise goes, it is becoming less noticeable as time progresses. I am hoping that this was a fluke, although I do not know the possibility of this. Thank to you who have responded to my initial issue. I am a first-time tunner, you could say, and enjoy this forum immensely. I will let you know if any thing else arises....hopefully no other issues will appear

[navylife59]

No worries. That Maintenance Light get alot of people. The MIL is the one to worry about. You did the right thing questioning something that does not seem normal.

[CadenceScion]

I would like to pass along to the group, if you do happen to have a CAI and drive where its very rainy, muddy or snowy, you may want to consider buying a by-pass valve. A by-pass valve is basically a damn that stops any incoming moisture from entering your engine, which can cause a CEL or worse a watter logged engine and having to replace an engine or other components. This probably won't apply to those who are using a short-ram intake, but anytime you can avoid deep water/puddles please do so, sometimes you can't help it.

By-pass valves are also used on ralley cars that race off-road in many different environments and they drive through some serious hazzards (deep water, mud and deep snow) that in our everyday vehicles would watter log our engines and shut us down. You can purchase these by-pass valves from any local autoparts store, from any online distributor or from the manufacturer of your CAI.