I took apart my CAI, and I noticed small pebbles inside the filter. This can't be good. So then I looked at the MAF sensor and notice some debris that the screen had stopped.

So I held the filter to the light and noticed that there were some spots where it appears the filter has worn down. I'm guessing because of the location of the filter that it gets more direct abuse from dirt and pebbles.

My filter has about 70K miles on it. If pebbles can get through then its definatly not stopping the dirt. I would recommend checking your filter too.

PS - Does anyone know the exact size of the JWT filter? I need the K&N replacement of the Pop intake.
Look here:
http://www.voicenet.com/~breaux/car/cai/cai.html

 

But aren't the pebbles being thrown at it by force from other cars driving in front of you?

 

and if its a k&n you should be able to get the million mile warranty on it, if not you could put a mesh grille there as did i to protect the filter, or simply get fog lights

 

I have fogs. I'm thinking it might be from the small hole in the bottom plastic cover. I was thinking about adding a mesh grill on that.

 

Check the fine print.

That million mile warranty is only good on the filter that goes in the stock airbox. The CAI is considered an off-road racing warranty which is only 1 year.

I killed about 25% of my cotton element in 12-18 months of use.

 

no way! that sux, im gunna have to find the box and do some reading, thats some ish

 

you need to clean and re-oil it every so often.. the oil is what keeps the dirt out...

 

Would on of those crome Injen filter splash guard/heatsheilds be able to conenect to the filter? I think that will work good.

 

On my old 95 Civic I used a modified empty windshield washer fluid bottle, cut to spec. Ghetto? Yes. (The idea, not the Civic) Suprisingly the contours of the bottle fit nicely around 1/2 of the filter. At the time I was living in Seattle, and you can imagine the crap that the filter was exposed to there!

This only cost $2.00 and I got to use the washer fluid. You can also paint the bottle if people can see it when you put it on with chrome or gray paint. Just a cheap idea if needed.