CAI hitting another part

GammaZeta · 03-07-2012, 03:11 PM

After installing my CAI, I noticed a noise coming from the engine bay when I started it and stopped it. This only started happening until after I installed the CAI. After listening to it a few times, I think the lower left part may be hitting another part of the car in the alternator.

I tightened everything up, but it still wiggles and hits the part. I can adjust it so it is directly touching the alternator, and thus not making the noise, but I didn't think that would be wise.

Any suggestions on how to cure this? Is this something that needs to be cured and could cause damage down the road?

It doesn't wiggle that much, enough though to touch part of it during starting/stopping. Thoughts?

thekurgan · 03-07-2012, 03:52 PM

Is this an M model? Possible the engine mounts have not been checked/inspected? If you suspect this CAI, put a piece of carbon paper attached between the two, and drive around, if you see the ink on the alternator, then you are correct, they are hitting.

GammaZeta · 03-07-2012, 04:21 PM

Yes, it's an M. Well I'm 99% it hits. I can just push it down. I'm kind of surprised it doesn't fit better.

It only has 17,000 miles, and the old air box was just fine, so I don't think it's the engine mounts.

Should I just bend it a little and let it be? It's not like it's hitting it constantly.

SCHMOUPE · 03-07-2012, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

Yes, it's an M. Well I'm 99% it hits. I can just push it down. I'm kind of surprised it doesn't fit better.

It only has 17,000 miles, and the old air box was just fine, so I don't think it's the engine mounts.

Should I just bend it a little and let it be? It's not like it's hitting it constantly.

Which CAI in particular?

GammaZeta · 03-07-2012, 06:03 PM

AFE, sorry.

I went back out and adjusted to two right bolts where the clips used to be, pushed them in about 1/4 inch and that seemed to help.

Anyone else have this problem? When I had my Z3M I installed a Conforti CAI and it fit absolutely beautifully.

gferil · 03-07-2012, 08:11 PM

I never had this problem with my AFE, make sure it's seated correctly, I remember when I was installing it, it wanted to sit more to the passenger side than it was supposed to.

03-07-2012, 03:11 PM	#1
GammaZeta Captain 58 Rep 862 Posts Drives: 1 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ma iTrader: (1)	CAI hitting another part After installing my CAI, I noticed a noise coming from the engine bay when I started it and stopped it. This only started happening until after I installed the CAI. After listening to it a few times, I think the lower left part may be hitting another part of the car in the alternator. I tightened everything up, but it still wiggles and hits the part. I can adjust it so it is directly touching the alternator, and thus not making the noise, but I didn't think that would be wise. Any suggestions on how to cure this? Is this something that needs to be cured and could cause damage down the road? It doesn't wiggle that much, enough though to touch part of it during starting/stopping. Thoughts?
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03-07-2012, 03:52 PM	#2
thekurgan Bad Lieutenant 232 Rep 3,517 Posts Drives: E90M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	Is this an M model? Possible the engine mounts have not been checked/inspected? If you suspect this CAI, put a piece of carbon paper attached between the two, and drive around, if you see the ink on the alternator, then you are correct, they are hitting. __________________ 02 E39M5 \| TiAg/Schwartz \| Tubi Rumore \| Ultimate Ti Pedals \| E60 SSK \| Jim Blanton 3.45 40/100% \| Coby Alcantara \| StrongStrut STB
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03-07-2012, 04:21 PM	#3
GammaZeta Captain 58 Rep 862 Posts Drives: 1 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ma iTrader: (1)	Yes, it's an M. Well I'm 99% it hits. I can just push it down. I'm kind of surprised it doesn't fit better. It only has 17,000 miles, and the old air box was just fine, so I don't think it's the engine mounts. Should I just bend it a little and let it be? It's not like it's hitting it constantly.
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03-07-2012, 06:03 PM	#5
GammaZeta Captain 58 Rep 862 Posts Drives: 1 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ma iTrader: (1)	AFE, sorry. I went back out and adjusted to two right bolts where the clips used to be, pushed them in about 1/4 inch and that seemed to help. Anyone else have this problem? When I had my Z3M I installed a Conforti CAI and it fit absolutely beautifully.
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03-07-2012, 08:11 PM	#6
gferil Captain 30 Rep 740 Posts Drives: 06 Z4MC Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (6)	I never had this problem with my AFE, make sure it's seated correctly, I remember when I was installing it, it wanted to sit more to the passenger side than it was supposed to.
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