How to Repair a Short Ram Intake System

Decreases in engine performance, such as lower horsepower, torque and gas mileage, may indicate a faulty short ram intake system in your car. Since a short ram intake is the most simple of all cold air intake systems on a vehicle, it is relatively easy to repair and troubleshoot.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Flathead screwdriver
• Water shield
• Replacement air filters
• Eye protection, such as goggles

1. Check all of your connections when you repair a short ram intake system. Make sure all the hose clamps are secure, and tighten them with a flathead screwdriver just to be sure. Also ensure that the airflow sensors and the breather hose are plugged in securely.

2. Determine whether water is getting into the short ram intake system, which could severely affect engine performance. Loosen the hose clamps on either side of the intake piping and stick a clean rag in to check for water or debris. You may need to install an additional water shield around your short ram intake system to prevent this from happening in the future.

3. Look at the air filter on your short ram intake system to see whether it's dirty or full of debris. It's not enough to remove the filter and shake it out or pick out the larger pieces of debris. Buy additional replacement filters from a local auto parts store, and swap them out according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

4. See whether the air filter is properly fitted to the end of the short ram intake system. An air filter that is not properly secured via the hose clamps could allow water and debris to enter the engine block. Gaps between fittings could also occur if you have purchased the wrong air filter for your short ram intake system, so check the part number.

5. Disconnect your battery for at least 20 minutes when you try to repair a faulty short ram intake system. This will give your car's onboard computer a chance to reset and correct any diagnostic problems that may be influencing the mixture of air and fuel in the block. Remember to wear eye protection, such as goggles, anytime you work around your car battery.

Tips & Warnings

• A loose hose clamp could result in water or debris getting sucked into your intake system and delivered right into the heart of your engine block, causing catastrophic damage to your car. Check all hose clamps and connections on a regular basis, especially during inclement weather.