Wet air filter?

[Amirsm3]

So, I washed my car yesterday. We haven't had gorgeous weather in a while and I wanted to snap some pics. I also got an Agency Power CF elbow and wanted to knock that out before the afternoon was up.

I wash my car like any car enthusiast... rinse, soap and scrub by hand, rinse again, dry. Well, I let the car sit for a bit and then popped the hood for the install. When I opened the air box, I noticed a tiny puddle under the filter and the element was moist. Luckily, the inside was dry, but I found that odd.

TL;DR My ultimate question is, will closing off the hood vent - or hindering some of its flow affect the car in any significant manner?

I also stuck a metal rod through the hole where water should drain out before it's supposed to reach the filter, but it didn't feel or look clogged.

[spool twice]

I tried it for a week just to see, I didn't feel any big detrimental effects other than not being able to hear that lovely induction noise the S65 is known for (that hole is why our induction noise has such a prominent growl). However, the car was more susceptible to an initial "heat-soak" sensation because it's not breathing the cooler air from that vent, but that went away after the initial acceleration. The front nostrils get "cool" air, but they are located above a hot element (the radiator).

[Amirsm3]

Hmmm... I need to see where the "drain" leads to. I'm assuming its still clogged if there's a bend or curve in the pipe.

This is just a stupid problem to have. I don't even have a high pressure washer, lol.

[spool twice]

yes, by all means, i would figure out why the water isn't draining too.

[Amirsm3]

Originally Posted by spool twice

yes, by all means, i would figure out why the water isn't draining too.

How long have you had the hood vent blocked? I don't really mind doing it, but I definitely don't want to lose out on the aural experience. This car is already quiet enough.

Edit: Sorry, saw you had it blocked just for a week.

[coloradoe92m3]

Why would you block one of the major sourcesof aair at higher rpms

[Amirsm3]

Originally Posted by coloradoe92m3

Why would you block one of the major sourcesof aair at higher rpms

For me it would only be on heavy rainy days and if i wash my car. Arguably times where I wouldn't see high RPM.

The drain for the intake is clean, so I'm thinking the flow of water surpassed the draining capacity. It's not like I sat with my hose aimed at the vent either . Ugh, I guess it wouldn't be hard to seal that vent with some rubber or plastic during the aforementioned times.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by Amirsm3

TL;DR My ultimate question is, will closing off the hood vent - or hindering some of its flow affect the car in any significant manner?

Yes. BMW doesn't just put things there for no reason. Pressurizing the airbox is a very important thing.

[Amirsm3]

Originally Posted by dparm

Yes. BMW doesn't just put things there for no reason. Pressurizing the airbox is a very important thing.

There are two other openings that I know of at the front of the car, how much pressure could closing the vent add?

That wasn't sarcastic, I'm actually curious.

[dreamspeed]

I don't think the hood vent is to draw in more air. It's to bleed off "extra air"

[s85e90]

Yes, the hood vent is an escape not an intake of fresh air. Air enters through the front grill and left side lower bumper and goes through out the hood vent.

[Hujan]

Originally Posted by dreamspeed

I don't think the hood vent is to draw in more air. It's to bleed off "extra air"

Originally Posted by s85e90

Yes, the hood vent is an escape not an intake of fresh air. Air enters through the front grill and left side lower bumper and goes through out the hood vent.

Correct. It's akin to opening windows on both sides of the room to create a cross- breeze.

[dparm]

You can see the effect if you just washed the car or it rains. Sometimes it will spit water out the opening.