Aem bypass valves recall

[Los Angeles, CA] [Washington, D.C.] -- In voluntary cooperation with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Advanced Engine Management, Inc. (AEM) of Hawthorne, California is voluntarily recalling about 3000 AEM Air Bypass Valves sold to consumers by independent distributors and retailers between August 2000 and January 31, 2001. Under certain circumstances, the Air Bypass Valve (constructed of 2 plastic pieces sonically welded together with a silicon diaphragm and foam spring on the inside) may come apart and, in certain cases, the diaphragm and/or foam spring may be ingested into the throttle body, sometimes forcing the throttle to stick in an open position. This may present a driving hazard to consumers who have installed the AEM Air Bypass Valve.






AEM has received three reports of the Air Bypass Valve coming apart. One of these reports described possible damage to the user's throttle body. Another of these reports described the diaphragm and/or foam spring being ingested into the throttle body, forcing the throttle to stick in an open position. The other of these reports described the valve coming apart with no resulting damage to the throttle body and no sticking of the throttle. No injuries have been reported.

The recalled Air Bypass Valves are identified by AEM part numbers 20-401, 20-402 or 20-403. The affected valves were sold to consumers only between August 2000 and January 31, 2001.

The subject valve is easily fixed, and AEM will provide all consumers of the AEM Air Bypass Valve with a free easy-to-install clip to prevent the diaphragm and/or foam spring from being ingested into the throttle body. However, consumers who have installed the subject Air Bypass Valves on their automobiles should not drive or operate their vehicles until either the Air Bypass Valve is immediately and entirely removed or the remedial clip is installed. The remedial action should take no longer than 5 minutes to complete.

The installation of the remedial clip is a simple procedure that will fully remedy the potential problem. While the remedial measure is not necessary for AEM Air Bypass Valves purchased after January 31, 2001, consumers with any concerns regarding these later-sold units may also obtain the free easy-to-install remedial clip.

Only those AEM Air Bypass Valves identified by AEM part numbers 20-401, 20-402 and 20-403 which were sold to consumers between August 2000 and January 31, 2001 are the subject of this recall. AEM Air Bypass Valves sold after January 31, 2001 are not affected, and consumers of AEM products bearing AEM part numbers other than 20-401, 20-402 and 20-403 need not be concerned.

AEM reminds its customers and consumers that the AEM Air Bypass Valve is designed and intended for use only with the AEM Cold Air Intake systems. Use of the AEM Air Bypass Valve in conjunction with any other system is neither recommended nor warranted and may result in, among other things, malfunction of the AEM Air Bypass Valve.