Cover the airvents?

[dos Santos]

Ok, so here is another newbie question.

I know that hot air rises, therefore the hot air would most easily exit out the engine bay through the top two decklid airvents in the 93.5 and later esprits.

I also know that when it rains, and water hits the exhaust manifolds through the top vents, its not good.

But the earlier esprits had the top of the engines covered right? And I dont think they had any overheating problems right? So, could you just put some kind of clear plastic shield under the air vents, under the rear deck, in order to stop water from hitting the engine? It seems like the hot air would still be able to exit underneath, and you wouldnt have to worry about water getting in from the rain.

I know that when you drive in the wet, that water hits the underside of the engine, but i dont know what the underside looks like, or where the exhaust manifold is.

Would that be a viable option if you wanted to make the car a bit more streetable in the rain?

Edited December 11, 2004 by dos Santos

[Mark Blanchard]

Hmm . . . I'd be wary of doing that. They need as much ventilation as possible. The Steven's Turbo and the SE both have half glass on the back, which is very useful for stopping the rain getting on to the engine and still venting the engine.

Edited December 11, 2004 by Mark Blanchard

[DanR]

Do the turbo models with the glass have the cracking problems?

[Paul C]

Do the turbo models with the glass have the cracking problems?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I can say... Yes!

The 45 degree slant of the engine means the manifold is real low down there.

The more common assumed reason for it cracking is water off the rear wheels when it's raining.

I personally think it will go at some point anyway, and that getting 40k miles from a manifold that see's way more action than a 'normal' car, ain't too bad.

I have a manifold bought and paid for just waiting

in the workshop for me to get the car there soon.

[dos Santos]

I can say... Yes! 

The 45 degree slant of the engine means the manifold is real low down there.

The more common assumed reason for it cracking is water off the rear wheels when it's raining.

I personally think it will go at some point anyway, and that getting 40k miles from a manifold that see's way more action than a 'normal' car, ain't too bad.

I have a manifold bought and paid for just waiting

in the workshop for me to get the car there soon.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How much do those manifolds for the se/s4 enging go for?

[Paul C]

How much do those manifolds for the se/s4 enging go for?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Mark Blanchard]

More often, the manifolds cracks from road spray from the rear left wheel. I've heard of Esprit Owners constructing splash plates between the manifold and the wheel, to stop the spray hitting the manifold.

The other options is to try and avoid driving in the rain (not always that easy I know).

[jono]

Hmmm.

I seem to remember you can get a flexible heat shield material thing that you mould to the manifold / exhaust....I think it has a thermoset plastic built into it that freezes the shape and there you have a cover / heat shield for your manifold / exhaust.

I don't know how this would work for turbo cars, it's designed for classics which is where I've seen it used but I'm not sure on whether the Esprit needs air cooling flowed over this part or not....front mounted engines have no probs with ventilation but rear / mid ones are a different kettle of fish.

If it's any use gizza shout and I'll see if I can dig it up...

The other stuff I've seen is a pipe finishing cover. Basically its a woven braided cover that slides over the individual pipes.

[Paul C]

The other stuff I've seen is a pipe finishing cover.  Basically its a woven braided cover that slides over the individual pipes.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not sure Jon, but i think wrapping it (if thats what you mean) is not a good idea.

Thats a lot of heat transfered elsewhere...

I could be wrong thou

[jono]

Depends what you mean, as a heat shield the heat is contained by a non heat conductive material.

As for the metal sleaving - remember there is going to be some sort of air gap and being woven metal strands, also there is a hell of a lot more surface area to disipate the heat which is why they make it.