Does water get into the engine through the bonnet vents
Discussion
phn said:
Hi there,
I am thinking of buying a chimera and was wondering if rainwater as able to get into the engine through the vents at the side of the bonnet. and if this causes any problems (especially if the car lives outside!)
Heavy down pours can splash water over manifolds but no water reaches critical areas. I am thinking of buying a chimera and was wondering if rainwater as able to get into the engine through the vents at the side of the bonnet. and if this causes any problems (especially if the car lives outside!)
If it lives outside the secret is to drive it regularly to dry it all out and to stop corrosion forming on any metal surfaces.
They can live outside but I would get a good outdoor car cover to keep the worst of the bad weather off of it. It will also help if there are leaks into the cabin / boot until you find and sort them out. I have a cover zone storm force full cover and its pretty good. You can also get a hood cover - I’ve also got a proper TVR Leven one and a cheaper one for an MX5 that fits well, but isn’t the same quality
PhilF329 said:
They can live outside but I would get a good outdoor car cover to keep the worst of the bad weather off of it. It will also help if there are leaks into the cabin / boot until you find and sort them out. I have a cover zone storm force full cover and its pretty good. You can also get a hood cover - I’ve also got a proper TVR Leven one and a cheaper one for an MX5 that fits well, but isn’t the same quality
I would be cautious with a full cover. These fibreglass cars suffer with blisters in the paintwork.The cover may keep the worst of the weather off but any condensation going on under the cover is a big problem.
A cover just for the hood, like a Leven one would be fine.
TJC46 said:
PhilF329 said:
They can live outside but I would get a good outdoor car cover to keep the worst of the bad weather off of it. It will also help if there are leaks into the cabin / boot until you find and sort them out. I have a cover zone storm force full cover and its pretty good. You can also get a hood cover - I’ve also got a proper TVR Leven one and a cheaper one for an MX5 that fits well, but isn’t the same quality
I would be cautious with a full cover. These fibreglass cars suffer with blisters in the paintwork.The cover may keep the worst of the weather off but any condensation going on under the cover is a big problem.
A cover just for the hood, like a Leven one would be fine.
condensation/moisture gets into the paint layers and trapped its bad news 
Thanks for the good replies everyone - very helpful and much appreciated!
The TVR I am thinking of has a super detailed engine bay and I was worried that each rain shower all the nice shiny bits would get covered in muck.
If this did become a problem, I like the idea of putting trays underneath to channel the water away and into a drain. But then I suppose, it would be a good reminder to clean the engine bay.
For the winter I may look into a Hamilton type cover which I believe is fully breathable and lets the moisture wick away.
The TVR I am thinking of has a super detailed engine bay and I was worried that each rain shower all the nice shiny bits would get covered in muck.
If this did become a problem, I like the idea of putting trays underneath to channel the water away and into a drain. But then I suppose, it would be a good reminder to clean the engine bay.
For the winter I may look into a Hamilton type cover which I believe is fully breathable and lets the moisture wick away.
phn said:
Thanks for the good replies everyone - very helpful and much appreciated!
The TVR I am thinking of has a super detailed engine bay and I was worried that each rain shower all the nice shiny bits would get covered in muck.
If this did become a problem, I like the idea of putting trays underneath to channel the water away and into a drain. But then I suppose, it would be a good reminder to clean the engine bay.
For the winter I may look into a Hamilton type cover which I believe is fully breathable and lets the moisture wick away.
I tried one over a winter a few years ago when I wasn't able to use the car much.The TVR I am thinking of has a super detailed engine bay and I was worried that each rain shower all the nice shiny bits would get covered in muck.
If this did become a problem, I like the idea of putting trays underneath to channel the water away and into a drain. But then I suppose, it would be a good reminder to clean the engine bay.
For the winter I may look into a Hamilton type cover which I believe is fully breathable and lets the moisture wick away.
Clear coat bubbled up and fell away and ended up getting a full respray.
The best way is to leave it in the elements and let the wind dry it. My Cerbera has lived outside for 12 years and the only winter that caused any damage to the paint was the one when I covered it in a breathable cover.
Thanks - really good info - I will use a half cover and not a full one.
Another thought I had was to apply a ceramic coating to the paint (the kind they charge you £hundereds for at a dealership, but in reality is £30 if you do it yourself.) This should hopefully provide an element of protection against bird droppings etc.
Another thought I had was to apply a ceramic coating to the paint (the kind they charge you £hundereds for at a dealership, but in reality is £30 if you do it yourself.) This should hopefully provide an element of protection against bird droppings etc.
Edited by phn on Friday 26th March 11:02
phn said:
Thanks - half cover only then. :-)
Definitely - just to add to what several owners have said above, I had a Stormforce breathable on my car for 2.5 years. Never tied the straps tight so to allow circulation, removed it as soon as possible to dry the inside of the cover and the bodywork, then a couple of months ago - wallop, the dreaded microblisters, all over the rear bumper, wings and boot.Fibre glass cars do not like full car covers, end of!
Mine lives outside and use half cover never had an issue with bonnet vents
I just made sure all areas that are meant to be sealed anyway from factory are again and in good Nick like boot hinges , all under bonnet items like brake Res , wiper outlets , hoses etc waterproof the hood fabric and align all windows etc
Fitted new door and targa seals mine would soak driver footwell and it turned out to be the door rubber seal was old and worn
I use Leven half cover best for job anything else simply does not work (I’ve tried) would never use full cover on fibreglass car as more than likely create micro blisters !
As for ceramic coating and DIY ermm.....last weekend I spent 8 hours with DA doing paint correction and compound starting with full Decon of paint work , full clay bar , then hours of machine work and only then.........will a ceramic be ready to apply , I opted for a good quality wax as I don’t mind applying again in few months and it has better hydrophobic properties (watch some YouTube vids )
Simply washing and applying a proper ceramic coating is not ideal and seals in issues ! Paint work needs to be flawless and properly prepped before a ceramic that’s where the skill comes in and why detailers charge the price not for apply the coating !!!
I just made sure all areas that are meant to be sealed anyway from factory are again and in good Nick like boot hinges , all under bonnet items like brake Res , wiper outlets , hoses etc waterproof the hood fabric and align all windows etc
Fitted new door and targa seals mine would soak driver footwell and it turned out to be the door rubber seal was old and worn
I use Leven half cover best for job anything else simply does not work (I’ve tried) would never use full cover on fibreglass car as more than likely create micro blisters !
As for ceramic coating and DIY ermm.....last weekend I spent 8 hours with DA doing paint correction and compound starting with full Decon of paint work , full clay bar , then hours of machine work and only then.........will a ceramic be ready to apply , I opted for a good quality wax as I don’t mind applying again in few months and it has better hydrophobic properties (watch some YouTube vids )
Simply washing and applying a proper ceramic coating is not ideal and seals in issues ! Paint work needs to be flawless and properly prepped before a ceramic that’s where the skill comes in and why detailers charge the price not for apply the coating !!!
Skyedriver said:
Only thing to add, park it nose down if possible. If you park nose up you stand more chance of rainwater dripping onto the clutch master cylinder cover and brake master cylinder area, both of which are known sources of leaks onto the pedal area.
More great advice! Thanks so much!I have had my Chimaera since 2012, the longest I have ever owned a car in 50 years of driving.
Mine lives outdoors and has a Leven half cover. 45,000 miles of joy, the odd breakdown, and about 30 track days of extreme joy. These cars were built to be driven and driven fast, and a race track, with its clean smooth tarmac and everyone going in the same direction (most of the time
) is the best place to really enjoy the car. Many problems come from these cars not being driven regularly all year round.
The nearest I have had to any (water through the bonnet causing) running problems was the occasional rough starting after a week of torrential rain, just a bit of damp in the electrics. I don't even get that now I have gone to coil packs.
The bigger problems have been water getting into the cabin. If I forget to put my half cover on, and it rains heavily overnight, then the next time I drive it I get a wet left shin on the first right hand bend and a wet right shin on, yes, you guessed it, the first left hand bend. My wife thinks I am mad, but on such occasions I tend to drive the Chimaera in wellies.
Mine lives outdoors and has a Leven half cover. 45,000 miles of joy, the odd breakdown, and about 30 track days of extreme joy. These cars were built to be driven and driven fast, and a race track, with its clean smooth tarmac and everyone going in the same direction (most of the time
) is the best place to really enjoy the car. Many problems come from these cars not being driven regularly all year round.The nearest I have had to any (water through the bonnet causing) running problems was the occasional rough starting after a week of torrential rain, just a bit of damp in the electrics. I don't even get that now I have gone to coil packs.
The bigger problems have been water getting into the cabin. If I forget to put my half cover on, and it rains heavily overnight, then the next time I drive it I get a wet left shin on the first right hand bend and a wet right shin on, yes, you guessed it, the first left hand bend. My wife thinks I am mad, but on such occasions I tend to drive the Chimaera in wellies.
QBee Surprised your fancy hard top leaks that much. I will stick with my leak free original.
Well Ok brand new from D & C in 2018. Bet the sheep get nervous when you wear wellies.
Regarding the bonnet vents, not a real problem. You can see where the water runs when you wash it.
I added stainless mesh to mine to stop leaves getting in. Then chopped the tree down because of the rust from the leaves hitting the paint work.
The car was left to cool down before going in the garage.
Well Ok brand new from D & C in 2018. Bet the sheep get nervous when you wear wellies.
Regarding the bonnet vents, not a real problem. You can see where the water runs when you wash it.
I added stainless mesh to mine to stop leaves getting in. Then chopped the tree down because of the rust from the leaves hitting the paint work.
The car was left to cool down before going in the garage.
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