Hello all,
While swapping plastic to aluminium coolant pipes, I noticed that, like all early F-types, water finds its way down to the coils.
My 2016 V6S coupe has the black pack vents, which are partially covered at the bottom. This, however, does not resolve the water ingress issue. Since I assume the vents are there for a reason other than decoration, what negative effects would I have if I blocked them off completely?

 

Not just early F-Types, but all RWD models. The vents on the AWDs are further down the hood/bonnet, and there are protective flaps on the engine to redirect any water ingress.

 

Thank you for your answer. If I blocked the vents, will this have a detrimental effect on the engine bay, or possible overheating?

 

I wouldn't, better solution is to add some additional DIY coverage on top of the motor block water ingress over the few areas that allow water ingress to the injectors. I literally bought a few 12x12 high temp silicon rubber sheets with adhesive on one side (amazon) and positioned them under my engine cover.

 

The vents are to allow heat to escape

 

A couple of suggestions... first would be looking at your current vents. I got a pair of the black and chrome units, they are solid across the flat with just a bit of that honeycomb to let heat escape.

There are these:

https://minagallery.com/jaguar-f-typ...-finisher-set/ from Mina Gallery

I put these on my 2017 v-6

https://jaguar.oempartsonline.com/oe...455?origin=pla

The two photos show the OE vents and then the JLR chrome/black replacements. When washing the car, I am careful to avoid spraying water directly in those two areas. When drying the front end, I mop up any water that did get in and follow up with my leaf blower. It's pretty good at getting water out of recesses and also shortens my dry-time.

I have read that some owners put a sheet of plastic over the entire engine area (completely cooled) when washing the car.

There is a thread with photos here somewhere, showing silcone patches that the owner attached to the engine cover. Placed over spots where any water that's entering is prevented from pooling.

 

On my Aston, the DB11 with the V12 comes with two extra hood vents (4 total), The inner two are right over the cylinder heads and on a V12 with a 60* bank, the coils end up almost directly under the vents so if you find yourself in rainy driving conditions a lot (or washing the car) the coils get soaked under water which eventually causes a problem.

AMs solution was these (accessory) water shields that allow the ventilation but divert the water away from the tops of the cylinders.




They mount under the hood on the same hardware that holds the vent screen in place. They work very well and I have them on my car. My engine never has water, or even wet on top of the cylinder heads.

Seems to me this might be a good "project" for someone that could lead to an aftermarket product for sale.

The ones for Aston are factory, so they are stupidly expensive, but I see them on Ebay all the time.

 

Sorry, I didn't see post #6 before I posted, but yes, along these lines....

 

Thank you for your answer, as long as I know they let hot engine air escape, I'll go with the extension flaps on the engine cover.

 

One other 'best practice' is to just open the bonnet/hood after a hot drive. I am able to pull in to our garage for this. On warm days with my E type, he gets back in the garage, bonnet/hood goes up and I set a small oscillating fan on an upturned 5 gal bucket and aim it at the engine.

 

Hahaaa... I had to chuckle a little bit when I read your post.

I've been known to do the same after a "hot" drive in the summer in FL. I rigged up this 3 speed floor fan on a wire rack that I can roll around anywhere in my garage. It is industrial and I could use it if the car was on a dyno...haha... Get's it cooled down FAST!

 

Well I sure like your fan set up, too! Rolling plus storage, gotta luv it!