Basics On Air Intakes
What Is Air Intakes?
Air is drawn from the atmosphere by all the air intake system engines including both gasoline and diesel engines. For each gallon of gasoline utilized, 9,000 gallons of air is needed. It is important to draw the air from a road where deep water cannot be drawn in the engine. Then a replaceable air filter successfully filters the air. Now that the air has been filtered, it will pass through a throttle valve and then into the engine via an intake manifold.
Types Of Air Intakes
Confused? Well, we have
listed here all the types of air intakes that are available:
- Cold Air Intake Systems
- In order to bring cool
air into the car’ internal-combustion engine, a cold air intake (CAI) is used
which is generally an aftermarket assembly of parts. The aftermarket cold air
intake systems are known for its increased engine efficiency and performance.
The primary principle regarding a cold air intake is that cooler air has
increased density that comprises higher oxygen per volume unit than warmer air.
- Short Ram Air Intakes - Short ram air intake is
the kind of aftermarket air intake that is generally suitable for automobiles
equipped with internal combustion engines. Inside the engine bay, it restores
the OEM air intake with a short metal pipe and a conical air filter. It should
be noted that a notable rise in intake air volume happens only in an engine
that has its factory intake piping designed with baffles and other sound
absorbing materials for example: rubber etc.
- Ram Air Intakes - The ram-air intake
includes all the intake designs that make use of the dynamic air pressure
created by the motion of the vehicle in order to increase the static air
pressure present inside the intake manifold on an internal combustion engine.
Hence, this further enables an increased mass flow through the engine thereby
ensuring higher engine power.
- Throttle Body Spacers - Generally, a throttle
body is a thick piece of metal sized around 1-inch (25 mm). It is bolted to the
outlet of the throttle body of an automotive engine upstream of air into the
manifold. It is well-known for enhancing performance and increasing the engine’
horse power, torque and fuel economy when the airflow is changed.
- Custom Air Intake
Systems - The
aftermarket air intake system tends to benefit all. Parts Avatar has got a fix
even if all you’ve got is a flaming rod, customized car, or a rare old-fashioned
model that no one makes air intake components for.
How Does Air Intake Works?
Know about the
functioning of an air intake? Don’t worry, even if you don’t, we have got you covered! The air
intake system enables air to reach the car engine. For the engine combustion
process, oxygen is one of the most important ingredients. Superior quality air
intake systems enable clean and continuous airflow into the engine that further
helps is getting increased power and better mileage for the car.
Generally, in a latest
car, the air intake system comprises of three major parts that include the air
filter, mass flow sensor and throttle body. The air intake system
that is located behind the front grille draws air via a long plastic tube that
connects into the air filter
housing that is mixed
with the car fuel. It is only after this that air is further transmitted to the
intake manifold that supplies the fuel/air mixture into the engine cylinders.
Symptoms Of Bad Air Intakes
Shorted and smooth piping make up
the cold air intakes along with the strategic filter placement that help in
bringing in the cold air into the engine. Cold air is far more beneficial for
engine induction as it is denser. The cold air intake kits directly feed the
air into the engine, so a problem in one of these can also adversely affect the
drivability of your vehicle. So, we warn you to keep an eye on these symptoms
before it is too late:
- Decreased Engine Performance - This is probably the most common
symptom observed after the cold air intake starts malfunctioning. The cold air
intake system makes use of an engine air filter that if jammed is likely to
reduce the power, acceleration and fuel economy of the vehicle. You can face
issues to start the vehicle in severe cases.
- Increased Or Surging Idle - High or surging idle are a number
of other symptoms that are evident when the cold air intake system fails.
Excessively high idle indicates a vacuum leak at times. A number of cold air
intake systems have vacuum ports that have in them the original manufacturers
vacuum routing. If in case, even of these hoses on the ports break or loosen or
even the ports break, it will result in a vacuum leak that will lead into high
idle and surging.
- An Illuminated Check Engine Light - When the check engine light comes
on, it is indicative of a problem with the cold air intake. When a problem is
detected by any of the installed sensors, the light illuminates. Vacuum leaks
and damaged sensors lead to an illuminated check engine light.
Tools Needed For Air Intakes
Are you thinking of repairing your Air Intakes on your own? Then
there is one thing which you must have, that is the right tools needed for
repairing your Air Intakes. It is essential to make sure that you are outfitted
with the right tools to get the work done properly. Have a look at some tools
which you might need to get started with your repair work:
- A brand-new air
intake
- An Air filter
suitable with new intake
- Bits and bit driver will be required
- Hose clamps will be
required
- Flashlight (tocheck
in the cramped and dingy spaces)
Top Brands For Air Intakes
When it comes to vehicle owner’s choice, the brands really matter a lot. You might pay a premium for a specific car part brand, over time, as it has created a perception of quality, stability as well as trust. There are some leading car parts brands which are more than just products or services as they give rise to memories and emotions related with the quality. So, have a look at some of the top brands for Air Intakes.
Related Parts Of Air Intakes
Do you want to know the related parts of the car air intakes Don’t
worry! Parts Avatar Canada is here at your service:
How To Change Air Intakes?
Do you know for a fact that the aftermarket air intakes enhance a
car's performance sound and better mileage? For more air intake benefits, the
throttle body should be upgraded. Although, all intake air systems come with their
own set of guidelines, we have listed here everything you need to know about
changing air intakes.
Preparations and arrangements to replace the air intake systems
Step 1
To start with, be sure of the exact specifications of your car. In
cases where you own a general customized car (Honda Civic or Volkswagen Jetta)
you will only require the model/year and the engine type. If your car is a
rarely customized one, sometimes, it can be difficult to find aftermarket
parts.
Step 2
Look for the type of intakes available and choose the one that
fits the best. Amongst all, the short pipe intakes offer least benefits if
looking for horsepower, torque and gas mileage. They supposedly draw hot air
directly from within the engine compartment and then send into the engine.
Step 3
Cold air intakes pull air from places that are present outside the
engine compartment like the wheel well or bumper. When it comes to their
installation, it is a bit complicated as a part of it is installed from
underneath the car. Well, for your information cooler air is more dense than
the air present inside the engine compartment that aids a better performance
and gas mileage as compared to short-pipe designs.
Step 4
It should be noted that the Ram-air intakes that are found in the
bumper area pressurize the cool air coming into the engine as the car speeds,
thus providing us with maximum airflow benefits. Its installation requires
complicated procedures as you will need to install certain parts from
underneath the car.
Step 5
To do this, you should park your car in an area that has a lot of
space around. The area chosen should not be dark so that procedures can be
performed well. Turn your vehicle before proceeding further. Next, we advise
you to wait until the engine cools down as parts in the engine compartment can
be heated extremely while the vehicle is running. Now, you should unplug the
battery by first removing the negative terminal (that is black or unmarked) and
then the positive terminal (red).
Disconnect the Original Air Intake
Step 1
First you need to find the air intake that will look like a large
plastic tube connecting from the engine to a large plastic filter box. Then the
air intake system should be removed, that will include the removal of air
filter, the filter box, and the tube connected from the filter box to the
opening in the engine bay. You will find some of these parts in the engine bay
by small plastic mounts. A wrench or socket set will be required to disconnect
the small bolt containing the mounts in place. You may find a number of pieces
of the intake system attached to each other with hose clamps that can only be
loosened by turning the small bolt on the end using a screwdriver or socket.
Step 2
Next, get your hands on one or more air sensors that provide
information to the car's computer (handle these carefully). We advise you to
store your original air intake as if in case, the new intake purchased turns
out to be damaged or doesn’t fit, the original intake system will be required
for installation before the car is driven. Well, if the new one works, set
aside the old one.
Installation of the New Air Intake
Step 1
The new intake should be installed by following the specific
manufacturer’s guidelines as to which piece to install first. You need to
secure the intake with hose clamps as per the requirements. Then, all the
sensors that you might have removed before with the old intake should be
reinstalled. Install the new air filter now that you have the new intake
installed. If you have bought a cold air or ram air intake, you’ll be required
to climb under the car in order to complete the installation as these systems
drawl cool air from outside the engine compartment.
Step 2
Ensure that the intake system is well secured. You should tighten
the mountings, if the intake is striking other objects in the engine bay. Then
the battery terminals should be connected again. Attach the red (positive)
terminal first and then attach the black (negative/ground) terminal. Now,
finally you can test drive the new intake to ensure that it is functioning
well.
