Dust
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 557
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Dust
I am amazed at the under-the-hood dust my '94 gathers over a week of driving. Compared to other non-Vettes, the difference is night and day.
Sure, part of the fun is detailing but this seems extreme. Do others have similar experiences (I did a search but didn't find anything on point)? Is this the result of the C4 being a bottom-breather?
Thanks!
John
Sure, part of the fun is detailing but this seems extreme. Do others have similar experiences (I did a search but didn't find anything on point)? Is this the result of the C4 being a bottom-breather?
Thanks!
John
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,772
Likes: 177
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
I think that has a lot to do with it, especially when the coolings fans come on.
I have about a 100 ft. section of gravel road to come up before I get to my driveway. I've learned to make sure the A/C system is turned off before turning onto the road (a/c off means no cooling fans on for that little short trip up the hill).
Just by doing that, I cut the amount of dust done a great deal.
I have about a 100 ft. section of gravel road to come up before I get to my driveway. I've learned to make sure the A/C system is turned off before turning onto the road (a/c off means no cooling fans on for that little short trip up the hill).
Just by doing that, I cut the amount of dust done a great deal.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 557
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Thanks a lot for the reply. I guess I feel better that at least one other member has a similar "problem".
My other car at the moment is a Mazda Protege that I can't bare to part with as I added a Garrett T3 some years ago and with its better HP/weight ratio it's actually much faster than the Vette (what we 65+ geezers won't do for fun!) But it also has a lot more heat under the hood and with its auxiliary fans cranking away (it sounds like a B25 at a stoplight), I'd expect more dust than the Corvette but not so. It will stay presentable under the hood for a month or more. Strange!
John
My other car at the moment is a Mazda Protege that I can't bare to part with as I added a Garrett T3 some years ago and with its better HP/weight ratio it's actually much faster than the Vette (what we 65+ geezers won't do for fun!) But it also has a lot more heat under the hood and with its auxiliary fans cranking away (it sounds like a B25 at a stoplight), I'd expect more dust than the Corvette but not so. It will stay presentable under the hood for a month or more. Strange!
John
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,772
Likes: 177
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
Just take a look at where the C4 sucks in the air for cooling the radiator.
Most cars bring it in from straight in front of the grill. Since the Corvette can't do that (front end slope and all), it sucks it up from below.
With the cooling fans running, the suction will suck up dust very easy. This is then deposited all over the engine compartment.
So, it's not weak seals around the clamshell hood. It has everything to do with where the air entering the system.
Most cars bring it in from straight in front of the grill. Since the Corvette can't do that (front end slope and all), it sucks it up from below.
With the cooling fans running, the suction will suck up dust very easy. This is then deposited all over the engine compartment.
So, it's not weak seals around the clamshell hood. It has everything to do with where the air entering the system.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: Conway AR
ha, looks like I'm screwed on this deal. I've got 3/4 mile of gravel driveway and it takes me as long to cover that as it does to go the 6 miles of pavement to the freeway. Can't even think about not running the fans going home-it comes up 15 degrees from the pavement temp with them on. If I've stood on it for the last mile or so (and I do sometimes, like 100+) it REALLY heats up on this slow stretch.
I'm about ready to just wash the engine, it'd take FOREVER to hand clean it.
bill
I'm about ready to just wash the engine, it'd take FOREVER to hand clean it.
bill
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,683
Likes: 1
From: NY
Be careful washing that LT-1...the Opti hates water. I've been through 2 GM Optis and am now using a DynaSpark unit. You don't want to go there if you don't have to. Time consuming to clean by hand...you bet, but a lot safer.
As far as these cars being bottom feeders, I've found lollipop wrappers and all sorts of crap stuck to the radiator. Take a look in there, you might be surprised. They're like a rolling vacuum cleaner.
As far as these cars being bottom feeders, I've found lollipop wrappers and all sorts of crap stuck to the radiator. Take a look in there, you might be surprised. They're like a rolling vacuum cleaner.
ha, looks like I'm screwed on this deal. I've got 3/4 mile of gravel driveway and it takes me as long to cover that as it does to go the 6 miles of pavement to the freeway. Can't even think about not running the fans going home-it comes up 15 degrees from the pavement temp with them on. If I've stood on it for the last mile or so (and I do sometimes, like 100+) it REALLY heats up on this slow stretch.
I'm about ready to just wash the engine, it'd take FOREVER to hand clean it.
bill
I'm about ready to just wash the engine, it'd take FOREVER to hand clean it.
bill
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