Engine bay temperature
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 297
From: Slovenia, EU
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
Engine bay temperature
Hi!
I just repainted my car and for the weekend I drove a couple of laps around the block, nothing serious just low revs, slow pace. The sun was out and the air temperature was quite high, but what bothered me was very high temperature of the hood and the whole engine bay.
Engine temperature was 195 F and stable. I'm afraid of the new paint blistering or cracking because of the excessive heat.
Do I worry too much or should I take any precautionary steps? I thought of wrapping the headers in heat wrap but that would mean breaking everything apart and since I just put everything together that isn't in my greatest interest.
I just repainted my car and for the weekend I drove a couple of laps around the block, nothing serious just low revs, slow pace. The sun was out and the air temperature was quite high, but what bothered me was very high temperature of the hood and the whole engine bay.
Engine temperature was 195 F and stable. I'm afraid of the new paint blistering or cracking because of the excessive heat.
Do I worry too much or should I take any precautionary steps? I thought of wrapping the headers in heat wrap but that would mean breaking everything apart and since I just put everything together that isn't in my greatest interest.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
If you have concerns, install some hood insulation to reduce temps the hood might see. But, my '71 sbc coupe saw a lot of 115*F [and higher] days in Phoenix, AZ summer sun with no problems on hood paint...and it has no insulation under the hood.
You might want to talk to your painter about it; but I think you may just be overly sensitive regarding the new paint.
You might want to talk to your painter about it; but I think you may just be overly sensitive regarding the new paint.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 174
From: Deerfield Illinois
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
If I'm just running out for a spirited drive I always open the hood and let it cool down before I pull it in the garage or something when I come back. Where applicable/ safe to do so, I pop/release the hood and let it vent the heat out.
After all it couldn't hurt, and you get to look at that shiny engine!
After all it couldn't hurt, and you get to look at that shiny engine!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Nobody popped the hood on these cars when they were new...and the paint never suffered. Heck, some of these C3's still have the original paint on them today!
Put a fiberglass insulation blanket under the hood and forget about the heat.
Put a fiberglass insulation blanket under the hood and forget about the heat.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 337
Likes: 7
From: South Bend IN
NCM Sinkhole Donor
What is your timing set at? I had my carb worked on by this little old man who did a great job on it but set the timing at 4 degrees since that is what the manufacturer recommends. I noticed a very hot engine bay after and increased it to about 12 degrees per papers from Lars and saw a significant drop in the temperature.
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