Wet Air Filter

[steve bain]

silly question, but i have new air filters which poke out of the bonnet. if they get wet in the rain is that a problem or should i make a little cover for them?

also when i drove away this morning a wave of water flooded my feet! any ideas where this may be getting in?

thanks in advance

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

If the filter is absolutely saturated it will splutter a bit, but while I've driven it in heavy rain, I've only ever actually noticed the effect when starting the engine after cleaning the car! I suspect that in practice, unless your engine mapping/state of tune is absolutely on the edge AND you're hammering it as well, you probably won't notice too much.

As for water, easier to list where it couldn't come in I'm afraid.

You'll probably just need to work your way round to minimise the issue, but you'll never make the car water tight. In fact, those that use the cars much in wet conditions generally go for a "water management" option instead; typically, get rid of carpets and anything else tht soaks the water up, strategically drilled drain holes in the floor. GRP or Carbon Fibre shell seats, also with a convenient drain hole! If aeroscreened, the use of half doors will stop a lot of spray coming in the sides when driving. As will a tonneau cover over the passenger side when on your own. Front mud flaps will help reduce the water coming at you from the front wheels.

As for your present problem; check the joint between scuttle and tub, including where it crosses the aluminium paneling under the bonnet. Check the fit of the pedal/footwell cover on a floor mounted pedal car, or the pedal box cover on a hanging pedal car. Check the gap between windscreen and scuttle and where wipers etc go through the scuttle. If you have a screen wash system, check for leaks where it goes through the scuttle and runs inside the cockpit. Check any holes/openings on the engine bay side of the scuttle. Check the heater and it's plumbing - if you have one.

Moving down, check where the steering column, clutch cable, (if fitted) and accelerator cable pass through the bulkhead. If unseated, they will expose small holes. Check the wiring grommets on top of the transmission tunnel, if they've come out, water can find its way up here.

Lastly, the chassis is a tubular steel frame with aluminium panels riveted on, (or some swap the aluminium for carbon fibre sheet), these panels should also be fitted with a bead of at least silicon, or preferably Sikaflex, Tiger seal or a decent Polyurethane adhesive/sealant along EVERY riveted joint. If done poorly, or even missed completely, water can find its way up at the aly sheet/chassis tube joints.

Oh, and if you've filled up after running in the rain with the roof on, again, that's er, normal, TADTS, the roof leaks.

[Jumpy07]

Never had any issues with mine.. and believe me staying on Scotland it has got pretty wet at times :-)

Water will be coming in from plastic cover over pedal box normally... needs sealed.. mine is the same.. good excuse to fit carbon effect one.. http://www.plays-kool.co.uk/acatalog/IVA_parts.html

Craig