[Richard L]

ZisLuv,

I remembered the episode well, it happened over five years ago. This is the first time we are prompted to publish our side of the story, so here it this.

When we first entered the aftermarket scene in 1997. We have little choice on selecting who we sell the systems to and how the system was installed. Prior to that we only supplied to professional rally teams where all the WI systems are installed inside the car - water ingression was never a problem.

During those transitional periods, the Aquamist pump has gone through some sealing improvements to stop the ingress of water into electronics housing within the pump - we used three sealing rings - two in the front area and one on the centre tube. They are worked effectively. We have overlooked one seal - the rubber cable gland (more about that later). At the time of the launch of the package to the market place, we were quite careful on what we put onto our installation instruction (not very detailed, but straight to the point).

One of the line stated clearly that the pump should not be placed where there are chances of water splashes, heated parts. Unfortunately this part is often ignored or not read. We accepted that this was often the case for the public and should be the traders that deals with Aquamist systems.

During this period, one trader specialised on the SurpaTT has installed many kits and each and every time the pump was placed near the front bumper where rain water and road splashes hit the pump directly. Despite our many advise from us he continued to install the pump in the same position. We always honoured our warranty claims - even the pump continue to fail in the same manner. Only months later, after numerous modifications we have managed to stop the water ingression problem. The pump to date has no less than SEVEN o-ring seals

Bad news travel fast especially in the age of internet chat rooms and emails. This particular episode was the most talked about disaster story in our book, still being spreaded like wild fire. There were many positive stories on Aquamist pump but rarely noticed - I am afraid this six year-old story will be told again and again especially by those who are against the concept of water injection and some competitors who will and would use this ONE story to help paddling their own systems. I believe that there was one of example on this site, a link to an English company that also sells a WI system.

The aquamist pump has undegone many improvements over the last six years and each one addresses a particular problem that arises a few months before. I think we have eliminated and overcome many problems due to misuse (sometmes) and less-than-ideal installations, but we never stop trying and would never criticise and capitalise our competeitor's misfortunes. I think there are plenty of rooms for all WI system makers.

The lastest and not the last improvement on the battle against water ingression was to applying epoxy sealent instead of silicon sealent at the junction of the cable and 3-pin electrical connector. Water was able to find its way into the pump during cooling down period (internal vacuum) through the gaps between the three core cable used.

The cable gland has also been replaced by our own designed metal gland. This is not a problem if the connector is pointing downwards and the plug (water will only travel doenwards). The silicon sealant is normally very effective but the heat cycles in a hydrocarbon rich enviroments will age it and some mirco-pour develops.

If anyone who needs advise before they start the installation, please do use this board or PM me. I will always reply. If anyone who has any other concern about the pump please speak out and help us to improve the system further.