Tonight we were having one heck of a thunderstorm. Rain coming down so hard highway traffic was 45 mph tops and all windshield wipers on high and still not helping.

As I was pumping gas under a covered station I thought to look at the air filter behind my ZooDad mod. The air filter I had on was a K&N FIPK. Upon lifting the hood there was indeed evidence of water intrusion in the area of the air filter and as far back as the MAF sensor location (exterior). The dampness was obvious although it did not seem too serious. After I got home and in the garage I took off the filter and inspected it for water. The filter was MAYBE a bit damp at the nose but otherwise did not seem to be in any danger of being too wet to use.

I then thought, "Hmmm," and put the stock airbox with intake nozzle back on with the paper element and headed out for a quick spin. After about 8 miles in the same hard rain I got back and pulled the stock box apart. The paper element was ideed damp (although not soaked) and the inside of the nozzle and airbox did contain water droplets.

In both cases there was no eveidence of water getting to the MAF.

All in all I think if I was heading into a long rain on the open road I would take the time to stop and cover the ZooDad opening with duct tape.

Hope some of you find this helpful.

Dan

 

Thank dansV10 for this post. Good information to share...and taking the time to compare the Stock air system with the doodad.

PS...just did a search on doodad...and came across this thread.

biz

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2003 F250 SD SC 142" XLT FX4 V10 Auto 4x4 3.73s

 

Maybe putting a K&N Drycharger cover would help.

 

Dan, I do a pretty robust version of the Zoo Dad and always use the paper filter because we have way too much fine talc type dust here and I change filters fairly frequently. When we get rain it can be the 2-4 inch an hour type (that is a LOT of water!) I have even gotten the odd piece or two of hail into the air box.

I just carry a spare filter but so far in 6 years never got the filter wet enough to concern me. Just a little damp on the front lower section. Even after a few miles right behind a Big Rig with his spray adding to the deluge from above (grin)