The air filter is a vacuum and can suck up anything from rain, snow, fog and condensate from the engine. Both air conditioners and high-efficiency gas ovens produce moisture during normal operation, which is usually drained safely to the outside through a white PVC drain, called a “condensate drain line.” A cold air intake filter can get wet, but only at a slightly humid level. If the filter gets wet enough, it can be detrimental to the engine by obstructing proper airflow or causing hydraulic blockage. It would be wise to dry the filter or replace it as soon as possible, without water, how humid. A wet air filter usually indicates that the condensate tray or condensate drain lines are clogged.
Water is a natural by-product of a working air conditioner. As the system draws warm air from your home to cool it, moisture from the air condenses on the evaporator coils and then drips into the drain pan. When something prevents water from draining, it overflows and the air filter can absorb that moisture. What happens if an air filter gets wet? If the air filter is slightly wet, there won't be much impact. However, if the filter is soaked, water mixes with dirt on the filter material to prevent air from entering the engine.
In addition, there are few DIY riders who have modified or removed some parts, causing the air filter to be exposed. A wet filter may not cause any permanent damage to your cold air intake system, unless it prevents it from operating at peak efficiency. On the other hand, if the air filter is soaked, for whatever damn reason, you should analyze the problem here. Considering that your air filter isn't designed to protect your engine from water anyway, you have nothing to worry about. As a rough estimate, you should expect your air filter to need cleaning approximately every 15,000 miles. Filters can trap a small amount of moisture at any time, but due to their large surface area, a filter can also dry out on its own.
This isn't exactly a solution, but rather a solid preventive measure if you don't want your air filters to get wet at any time. Again, you'll probably want to replace the air filter as soon as possible because it's still there to protect your engine from dust and dirt, even if they're not a big problem when driving in the rain. If you find yourself driving in the desert or during the winter, where there is a lot of snow and salt on the road, it's best to clean the air filter more often. With nowhere to go, condensate returns to the drip tray until it overflows, resulting in a wet floor or, in some cases, a soggy air filter. A cold air intake filter can help improve engine performance but can get wet due to water or surrounding moisture.
Dirt that would normally be trapped by the air filter can build up in the engine and damage the cylinders and potentially cause damage. It's important for car owners to understand that an air filter getting wet can have serious consequences for their vehicle's performance and longevity. If you notice that your air filter is wet or damp after driving in wet conditions or after an AC repair job has been done on your car, it's best to take action immediately. You should either dry out or replace your air filter as soon as possible so that your car can continue running smoothly.
