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Has there been a discussion about washing the C8 and how to avoid getting the engine and engine bay area soaked with water? I have seen someone selling little plastic pieces that can be placed over the screens that cover the "holes" to the engine, but other than that what have others been doing? When I washed mine, I placed towels beneath those "holes", and was as careful as possible to not get too much water in those area's, which was somewhat successful. I'm wondering what others have done besides, purchasing the plastic blocks to place in the holes or using towels placed beneath them. I find the the plastic blocks to be pretty expensive for what they are, and also wonder how well they actually work. I hoping there are better solutions out there and would love to hear what others have done.
Been washing my C8 for 33 months and don't do anything different that my 5 prior Vettes! This issue with water is silly. Sure I get a few oz of water BUT not only from the Vents it comes in from some fender hatch seals! Heck recall a fellow used painter's tape to seal all hatch to fender seams! What do you folks do when it rains or are they garage queens and never see rain.
If they never see rain, what do you do with all the dust and dirt that comes in from the large fender side air intakes that keep the engine compartment from getting excessively hot? Lots more of that comes in and goes out the hatch side vents and the large gap on the hatch bottom glass!!
Have to clean the engine compartment of the dust and dirt! Takes a few minutes USING the 3 to 4 oz of water that comes in from washing! After I dry the outside, I pop the hatch and use a "corner" of a bath towel to pick up what water is there. Most has run down to the front near my coupe' cabin glass. I use that wet corner to wipe the dust from the engine and engine compartment. Then use the 90% dry towel to remove what water is there and clean off remaining dust. Without some water I have to use my wet soap/water bucket mitt then rinse that!
My washing method is to rinse 1st with a water spray (I don't force it in Vents.) Then in my case I use a hose mounted soaper! Then a soap/water bucket with a wash mitt. Then rinse that with a soft stream of water. Then dry.
Funny even Henry used large air vent louvers on his '34 Ford to get heat out! I don't block those when I wash my Street Rod!
And that engine compartment with it's 8.2 Liter BB has to be spotless as it mostly goes to car shows!
Has there been a discussion about washing the C8 and how to avoid getting the engine and engine bay area soaked with water? I have seen someone selling little plastic pieces that can be placed over the screens that cover the "holes" to the engine, but other than that what have others been doing? When I washed mine, I placed towels beneath those "holes", and was as careful as possible to not get too much water in those area's, which was somewhat successful. I'm wondering what others have done besides, purchasing the plastic blocks to place in the holes or using towels placed beneath them. I find the the plastic blocks to be pretty expensive for what they are, and also wonder how well they actually work. I hoping there are better solutions out there and would love to hear what others have done.
There are some companies that offer rubber inserts over the vents so the engine bay does not get filled up with water during washes. I have one for a coupe if your interested send me a PM. I have a convertible that I ordered so I will never used it.
Yes, water will get into the engine compartment if vents are left uncovered during washing. Will the water damage or cause any problems? NO.
Perssonally, I cover my vents because I prefer my C8 to stay immaculate and while I enjoy washing my C8, I don't enjoy drying/wiping down all the nooks and crannies where water collects in the engine compartment during wash if vents are not covered.
I do quickly wipe my engine and engine compartment down with Windex and a micro-fiber cloth every few weeks just to keep it clean. The engine compartment is a real PITA to clean if you neglect it until it gets real nasty.
I use a big beach towel inside that covers almost the whole inside. After washing I take out the towel and blow out any water that drips from the hatch or in the seams with my cordless leaf blower - but there is not much of that. Then a quick wipe of anything left, with the damp microfiber that I used for any remaining water - along with any other dusty parts. The whole process takes less time than I would spend installing those foam vent pucks which are not going to avoid all water entry anyway.
The engine gets wet just like it did with my C7 it’s not going to hurt anything. It doesn’t really get very wet washing it by hand like any other car just my experience
Been washing my C8 for 33 months and don't do anything different that my 5 prior Vettes! This issue with water is silly. Sure I get a few oz of water BUT not only from the Vents it comes in from some fender hatch seals! Heck recall a fellow used painter's tape to seal all hatch to fender seams! What do you folks do when it rains or are they garage queens and never see rain.
If they never see rain, what do you do with all the dust and dirt that comes in from the large fender side air intakes that keep the engine compartment from getting excessively hot? Lots more of that comes in and goes out the hatch side vents and the large gap on the hatch bottom glass!!
Have to clean the engine compartment of the dust and dirt! Takes a few minutes USING the 3 to 4 oz of water that comes in from washing! After I dry the outside, I pop the hatch and use a "corner" of a bath towel to pick up what water is there. Most has run down to the front near my coupe' cabin glass. I use that wet corner to wipe the dust from the engine and engine compartment. Then use the 90% dry towel to remove what water is there and clean off remaining dust. Without some water I have to use my wet soap/water bucket mitt then rinse that!
My washing method is to rinse 1st with a water spray (I don't force it in Vents.) Then in my case I use a hose mounted soaper! Then a soap/water bucket with a wash mitt. Then rinse that with a soft stream of water. Then dry.
Funny even Henry used large air vent louvers on his '34 Ford to get heat out! I don't block those when I wash my Street Rod!
And that engine compartment with it's 8.2 Liter BB has to be spotless as it mostly goes to car shows!
I place a large moving blanket over the entire engine bay, then roll up beach towels, long way, and place them directly under the vents. The amount of water I get into the engine is near null.
My entire engine is ceramic coated so my goal of keeping it show car clean, without water spots, is important to me.
I Just washed it on memorial day. Didn't cover anything. Was just careful not to spray water directly onto the vents. Minimal water got in. One tip I have for you and which I used on my M5 periodically was to use scrubing bubbles (yes, the bathrooom cleaner). Spray it on , let it sit and rinse with low pressure spray (like rain) water. That stuff literally removes all the dirt and grime from an engine compartment.
I don't cover my vents. I wash my car almost weekly as it is my daily driver. When water gets into the engine bay, I use compressed air and blow it out then wipe down any left overs with a microfiber towel. No issues so far. I also make sure my engine bay is cooled down before I wash.
I got caught out yesterday in a monsoon while playing bridge. Then had to run to the car and drive home in pouring rain, flooded roads and wind. Put the car in the garage and went inside to get into dry clothes. Went to the car this morning and most of the water was gone and I dried the remainder with a towel. The car didn't melt or suffer water damage. Surprise surprise. I'll wipe it down with Gyeon ceramic detailer later today.
My driveway has a steep pitch. I back up when I park. As a result my rear hatch glass is nearly level.
When I wash the car I do nothing to stop the water. When I rinse, (with a hose) soap and water tends to rush under the back glass and into the vents. I do nothing to prevent this nor do I open the hatch cover to do anything about the water that has entered.
06-01-2023, 07:41 AM
How do you wash your C8?
What do you folks do when it rains or are they garage queens and never see rain.
