Back deck engine screen
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
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From: Southwest Florida
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2021
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From: Tampa Bay, FL
It’s a personal preference how annoying this is to someone. Being as OCD as I am, I know it would drive me crazy having it get dirty and water spotty back there. Not just the engine but the glass too. Just how I am and how I would have to clean it every time. That’s one of the reasons I decided to get the HTC. What bothers me though is it seems pointless. Those vents don’t need to be there. The HTC doesn’t have them, so GM already has the cooling worked out to not need them. Other mid engined cars don’t have them. Even the ones that do don’t have this problem. My MR2 has vents on the entire deck lid, but it also has a plate blocking and routing the water intrusion and the engine doesn’t get water spots on it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,426
Likes: 3,611
From: Commerce Texas
My 34-year-old mid-engine Ferrari is open to the elements... water comes up from the bottom when it rains, and there is a deflector from the top, but some remains open to the elements via the louvers. I dust it down, occasionally, wipe it down with diluted Gary Dean Infinite Detail Juice every month or so. I figure I'll put a minimum of 10K a year on my C8 when I get it, but will be more like 20K.... Yes, I have other cars, including a Porsche Macan S that handles like a sports car. The C8, like all my previous Corvettes, will become my DD. They're all just cars...
Drive 'em enjoy 'em .....
To quote myself, "No one ever said on his death bed, I wish I'd driven the Corvette less."
Drive 'em enjoy 'em .....
To quote myself, "No one ever said on his death bed, I wish I'd driven the Corvette less."
Last edited by 4thC4at60; Apr 30, 2022 at 01:44 PM.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
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Likes: 17,931
From: DFW Area TX
It’s a personal preference how annoying this is to someone. Being as OCD as I am, I know it would drive me crazy having it get dirty and water spotty back there. Not just the engine but the glass too. Just how I am and how I would have to clean it every time. That’s one of the reasons I decided to get the HTC. What bothers me though is it seems pointless. Those vents don’t need to be there. The HTC doesn’t have them, so GM already has the cooling worked out to not need them. Other mid engined cars don’t have them. Even the ones that do don’t have this problem. My MR2 has vents on the entire deck lid, but it also has a plate blocking and routing the water intrusion and the engine doesn’t get water spots on it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 761
From: Tampa Bay, FL
I call that proof they don’t need the vents along the side of the glass. I never said it didn’t have any venting. Those are similar to the lower vents on the coupe, which others say do not let it in bunch of water. The “problem” vents are the ones where water and dust get in and cause the spotty glass and trim.
but honestly what do I know? I don’t even have my C8 and I’ve never owned another car with the engine showing through the glass. For all I know they all do this and it’s just as annoying on a Ferrari. It’s definitely something that happens to the C8. I’ve seen it on nearly every coupe except the ones on the showroom floor. Many many ppl who own them mention it. That fact that it doesn’t bother everyone doesn’t really matter. A lot of things don’t bother a lot of ppl. Like the whole PPF debate.
but honestly what do I know? I don’t even have my C8 and I’ve never owned another car with the engine showing through the glass. For all I know they all do this and it’s just as annoying on a Ferrari. It’s definitely something that happens to the C8. I’ve seen it on nearly every coupe except the ones on the showroom floor. Many many ppl who own them mention it. That fact that it doesn’t bother everyone doesn’t really matter. A lot of things don’t bother a lot of ppl. Like the whole PPF debate.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1,282
Likes: 778
Its a good thing I am not OCD because it has rained almost every day since I got the C8 in October. I wash the car about once a month and just wipe down the engine area. The glass is not that difficult to clean just wiping it off. Here's the Vancouver April weather report:
On the plus side our cars are naturally washed from the rain AND you never really worry about if completely spotless because it will rain tomorrow!!!
Last edited by gdb069; Apr 30, 2022 at 01:45 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,426
Likes: 3,611
From: Commerce Texas
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E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,937
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From: NE South Carolina
I hand wash my 2020 and 2017 Corvettes with a cold engine and wash the engine bay out at the same time. I've been doing this for a couple of years on the 2017 and finally decided last week when I washed the 2020 that this will be standard wash procedure on the 2020 from now on.
Yep, mostly an issue in folks mind before they get their C8 or before washing!!! Have washed mine many times just as I did my two C7's and 3 others. Very little water gets in and most that does is NOT from the hatch vents! I'd say 3 to 4 oz gets in from the seams between hatch and body. In fact a fellow who shows his car tapes those seams!Just washed as usual. Soap foam from hose, hand wash with mitt and rinse with low water flow. Open hatch and with corner of towel wipe up what water is there mostly on the flat places below rear window. Use that damp towel end to clean off engine cover and all flat areas of dust and dirt. Finally dry and dust with the 90% of that towel that is dry. Dirt does get in the engine compartment so the small amount of water is helpful. Unless your plan is to let the dirt accumulate!
As my old boss with say as he walked though or R&D Lab and saw an engineer doing something he knew was foolish; "You're Solving a Problem Not Know to Exist Using a Method Known Not to Work!"
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1,282
Likes: 778
There is no engine "smell" when you lift the engine cover? That's great! In my vehicles the engine heat creates a bit of odor.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,937
Likes: 12,351
From: NE South Carolina
My guess is the vents are there because the cover is glass and you need to see out. Hot inside cold outside may create a problem. The other possibility would be to cut down on engine/road odors in the trunk.
On the plus side our cars are naturally washed from the rain AND you never really worry about if completely spotless because it will rain tomorrow!!!
On the plus side our cars are naturally washed from the rain AND you never really worry about if completely spotless because it will rain tomorrow!!!
PS: Cleaning the inside of the Hatch Glass is a PIA! Hard to reach!
Henry added louvers to my '34 to get rid of engine heat!
This big fan comes on when i park in the garage. Normally when driving air flows in from the rear fender scoops (along with dirt!)
In my Z51 there is an extra coolant rad in the passenger rear fender scoop. It has a puller fan on the back that also come on when I park. It pushes the engine compartment hot air out the hatch vents!
Last edited by JerryU; Apr 30, 2022 at 02:21 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 761
From: Tampa Bay, FL
My guess is the vents are there because the cover is glass and you need to see out. Hot inside cold outside may create a problem. The other possibility would be to cut down on engine/road odors in the trunk.
Its a good thing I am not OCD because it has rained almost every day since I got the C8 in October. I wash the car about once a month and just wipe down the engine area. The glass is not that difficult to clean just wiping it off. Here's the Vancouver April weather report:
On the plus side our cars are naturally washed from the rain AND you never really worry about if completely spotless because it will rain tomorrow!!!
Its a good thing I am not OCD because it has rained almost every day since I got the C8 in October. I wash the car about once a month and just wipe down the engine area. The glass is not that difficult to clean just wiping it off. Here's the Vancouver April weather report:
On the plus side our cars are naturally washed from the rain AND you never really worry about if completely spotless because it will rain tomorrow!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,426
Likes: 3,611
From: Commerce Texas
Well, yes, there is an engine smell overall... but it does not penetrate into the storage trunk. I carry groceries back there and a "engine" smell is never into any of the fruits and vegetables -- or things such as croissants which are in a semi-open container....
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: DFW Area TX
I call that proof they don’t need the vents along the side of the glass. I never said it didn’t have any venting. Those are similar to the lower vents on the coupe, which others say do not let it in bunch of water. The “problem” vents are the ones where water and dust get in and cause the spotty glass and trim.
but honestly what do I know? I don’t even have my C8 and I’ve never owned another car with the engine showing through the glass. For all I know they all do this and it’s just as annoying on a Ferrari. It’s definitely something that happens to the C8. I’ve seen it on nearly every coupe except the ones on the showroom floor. Many many ppl who own them mention it. That fact that it doesn’t bother everyone doesn’t really matter. A lot of things don’t bother a lot of ppl. Like the whole PPF debate.
but honestly what do I know? I don’t even have my C8 and I’ve never owned another car with the engine showing through the glass. For all I know they all do this and it’s just as annoying on a Ferrari. It’s definitely something that happens to the C8. I’ve seen it on nearly every coupe except the ones on the showroom floor. Many many ppl who own them mention it. That fact that it doesn’t bother everyone doesn’t really matter. A lot of things don’t bother a lot of ppl. Like the whole PPF debate.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1,282
Likes: 778
Hmm, wrong! The C8 1LT does not even have a rear camera mirror but I guess we are not all in your coupe and "TV" is not always on. Mine did not come with TV in any case. Now I am wondering why the millions or cars/trucks with engines covered by solid hoods, don't overheat and don't require vents.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,937
Likes: 12,351
From: NE South Carolina
Hope you are successful. When the 8 first came out there were some offered for sale. Then when I got my 2020 coupe folks figured out it only folks who did not have a C8 yet or before their 1st wash thought they were needed.
washed mine for 4 years and now my E Ray coupe for 8 months. Washed many times and found: first only a few ox of water gets on washing normally. Second those few ox are needed!
Yep lots of dirt and dust comes on with the air from the large fender vents that cools the engine compartment. So use the corner of a large towel to pick up the few ox. Then use that wet corner to wipe the dust from the flare areas, engine cover etc. Then use the 90% dry towel to wipe off the rest. 5 minutes
washed mine for 4 years and now my E Ray coupe for 8 months. Washed many times and found: first only a few ox of water gets on washing normally. Second those few ox are needed!
Yep lots of dirt and dust comes on with the air from the large fender vents that cools the engine compartment. So use the corner of a large towel to pick up the few ox. Then use that wet corner to wipe the dust from the flare areas, engine cover etc. Then use the 90% dry towel to wipe off the rest. 5 minutes
Last edited by Vetteman Jack; Oct 3, 2024 at 01:44 AM. Reason: Removed quotes by member posting as NSV.