Could Cold Air Intake Cause Major Issues

[bandit112]

I recently purchased CAI and had it professionally installed. About 3 months later I began to hear a tapping noise and eventually had to replace a head. The machinist said that he had never seen valve stem gaskets folding in on an M like that before. After replacing the head I drove about 1200 miles and the tapping came back. Do any of you professionals think that the CAI may be contributing to it? My mechanic said that he did notice that my CAT on the left side had a bitched up welding job done to it may cause reduction in the escape of the air that is being rammed in by the CAI. Anyway getting another engine shipped shortly.

[AZhitman]

Welcome aboard!

I'd have a real hard time with the mechanic's "explanation". The CAI doesn't "ram" air in at any greater volume than the stock system... it simply removes some of the restrictiveness (and possibly some of the underhood heat) from the intake air.

Would have absolutely NO effect on the valvetrain. None.

Likewise, neither would a poorly-welded cat (unless it was completely blocked off, in which case you'd have other issues).

Valve stem gaskets can get pretty bad before they cause an issue... I've seen heads with the stem gaskets completely GONE... Aside from some oil consumption, no issues.

I'd be real curious to see pics of what necessitated a new head... and now an entire engine?

I'm almost thinking you might be getting hornswaggled.

[bandit112]

Thanks for your input on this matter. I have put a lot of thought into this process that I am going through. I came to this website as part of the process to get a second opinion. Its just that after the cold air intake and the cat conv (which was put on prior to CAI) I started having issues. As far as the Cat conv is concerned, I went to a muffler shop and got them put on after check eng light came on. My mechanic told me that those cats were not the same size as the OEM cats + the weld job may have restricted them even more. I have a good relationship with my mechanic and don't think he would "hornswaggle" (I like that) me. I just don't want to keep nickle and dimed with head after head and other issues. That's why I am turning to getting another engine.

[AZhitman]

Understood. I'm just a real believer in knowing WHAT the cause is before spending a dime.

Now, there IS a possibility that the old converter self-destructed and somehow the "shrapnel" got ingested into the head... I've heard of it happening before, but I know very little about it.

A 2006 M shouldn't have needed a new cat... They're typically good for more than a decade.

Again, finding the CAUSE of the check engine light is critical, rather than just throwing parts at it willy-nilly. Ask your mechanic, and get details - I'd love to know more about what REALLY happened (if only to help some future member).

[wingFeather]

No, a cold air intake cannot cause this damage.

Was the replacement head off a junkyard car with old valve seals?

[bandit112]

As far as the valve seals that was the original head. AZ you are right about finding out the real cause. I will reroute my thinking and get to the bottom of it all. Thanks again guys. I may be hitting you up again as I find out more info on this issue myself.