Hi,
I had read a lot about replacing the filter box with an open air cone filter. Borrowing one from a friend, I decided to give it a try. It did give a bit of a power boost at higher rpm, and had a great sound. I have been running with it for close to a year, but this weekend it bit me. In splashing through a puddle not quite bumper deep, my truck suddenly died. This is a '96 trooper with 3.2L and auto tranny. After winching out of the puddle, i removed the air filter, as I suspected what the problem was. Water came pouring out of the intake tube. After removing the plugs, I finally got the engine to turn over, and it ejected quite a bit of water from the plug holes. Put the plugs back in, and it wouldn't turn over. Once i got it home, I took the starter out to have it tested. It turned out to be good. After a battle getting it back in, the truck finally decided it wanted to turn over. After cranking for almost a minute, the engine slowly caught and started running. TAP TAP TAP TAP. I shut the engine off. After researching on the net, it appeared the problem was a timing tensioner, or valves. So i cranked it back up. TAP TAP TAP, THUNK, (silence). I am going to pull the plugs again, and probably the lower oil pan, with the expectation of finding broken a rod.
You are probably thinkging, "well, duhh :roll: , its an open air filter". Don't worry, I am kicking myself plenty hard. But, I have run that same road several times, with the same filter. I have splashed through other deep puddles in other places, no problem. Evidently i hit it a little faster this time, or it was a little deeper than normal. Whatever the case, I have learned that puddles and cone air filters don't mix. If you play in the mud at all, DON"T DO THIS MOD!!!. :twisted: It will get you eventually. If you stay on the hardstuff, or even play on the rocks its a great mod.
I had read a lot about replacing the filter box with an open air cone filter. Borrowing one from a friend, I decided to give it a try. It did give a bit of a power boost at higher rpm, and had a great sound. I have been running with it for close to a year, but this weekend it bit me. In splashing through a puddle not quite bumper deep, my truck suddenly died. This is a '96 trooper with 3.2L and auto tranny. After winching out of the puddle, i removed the air filter, as I suspected what the problem was. Water came pouring out of the intake tube. After removing the plugs, I finally got the engine to turn over, and it ejected quite a bit of water from the plug holes. Put the plugs back in, and it wouldn't turn over. Once i got it home, I took the starter out to have it tested. It turned out to be good. After a battle getting it back in, the truck finally decided it wanted to turn over. After cranking for almost a minute, the engine slowly caught and started running. TAP TAP TAP TAP. I shut the engine off. After researching on the net, it appeared the problem was a timing tensioner, or valves. So i cranked it back up. TAP TAP TAP, THUNK, (silence). I am going to pull the plugs again, and probably the lower oil pan, with the expectation of finding broken a rod.
You are probably thinkging, "well, duhh :roll: , its an open air filter". Don't worry, I am kicking myself plenty hard. But, I have run that same road several times, with the same filter. I have splashed through other deep puddles in other places, no problem. Evidently i hit it a little faster this time, or it was a little deeper than normal. Whatever the case, I have learned that puddles and cone air filters don't mix. If you play in the mud at all, DON"T DO THIS MOD!!!. :twisted: It will get you eventually. If you stay on the hardstuff, or even play on the rocks its a great mod.
