TheSamba.com :: View topic - Rain Shields over Rear Vents -- Good Idea?

Sat Oct 19, 2013 2:25 pm

It rains a ton here in Germany and I want to make sure my engine bay is protected from too much rain. For the few Beetles that I've seen around here, a lot have rain shields. Is this a good idea? Is it needed?

Sat Oct 19, 2013 2:45 pm

How wet does the engine get?

You talking about something like this...

http://vwparts.aircooled.net/Beetle-Super-Beetle-Deck-Lid-Louver-Cover-ABS-p/6020-20.htm

My 70 has the rain drain...I like that Idea...

Sat Oct 19, 2013 4:06 pm

I don't sweat the rain.

Just make sure your distributor is sealed up nice with weatherproof seals at the top.

Tim

Sat Oct 19, 2013 5:28 pm

The rain won't hurt it. If VW had been concerned about it they would have continued the rain shield. You should have no problems with a well tuned and maintained engine.
I run a mostly stock 1600 in my buggy and it gets rained on a lot here in South Louisiana.

Sat Oct 19, 2013 5:58 pm

Thinking back now...I had a dune buggy and the motor was totally exposed in the rain and snow...It always ran...driving through creeks and mud.

Sun Oct 20, 2013 12:30 pm

I 'm not sure anything that restricts easy flow of air into the engine bay is good. The Cabriolet is a good example. Assuming everything is standard and with the hood up overheating is not a big issue with a well sealed engine bay. Put the hood down and it disturbs the free airflow over the rear lid and the engine temp rises. This shows how important clear louvres are, I would avoid anything which disrupts the air flow.
VW would have fitted a louvre cover as standard if required.
As a previous writer has said just make sure the Distributor and leads are well sealed and kept clean to prevent electrical tracking. I have noticed the rear tinware rusts more easily, so perhaps better painting is recommended in this area.

Sun Oct 20, 2013 12:57 pm

polakinnodak wrote: It rains a ton here in Germany and I want to make sure my engine bay is protected from too much rain. For the few Beetles that I've seen around here, a lot have rain shields. Is this a good idea? Is it needed?

yeah - it's a good idea. It'll help when the snow and ice hit.

Sun Oct 20, 2013 3:01 pm

Teafortwo wrote: I 'm not sure anything that restricts easy flow of air into the engine bay is good.

Those external louvers are very open on the underside and don't restrict airflow.
Its not a ram air system, the fan just draws in what it needs.

Its the metal ones that fit on the underside of the decklid that restrict airflow which is why VW stopped fitting them in 71 when doghouse cooling started.

As others have said if your engine is effected by rain you have a problem somewhere, either a non stock air filter letting water in or a dodgy dist cap doing the same.

Sun Oct 20, 2013 4:05 pm

The reason I bought my 70 is because it had the rain drain....now you tell me it helps to heat up the engine.. :roll:

Sun Oct 20, 2013 4:09 pm

It's only an issue on engines with the bigger fan, its works fine on single port engines with small fans that it was designed for.

Sun Oct 20, 2013 4:33 pm

Good idea = Yes.

Aesthetically pleasing = No so much.

Required = Debatable.

Mon Oct 21, 2013 6:10 am

While parked Yes.
While operating you can but you need to monitor your Engine Temps
very closely.
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Mon Oct 21, 2013 6:34 am

I have no complaints with my plastic rain-guard other than the price. It blocks rain and water well and you can stuff foam underneath in the winter to block snow infiltration if you want.

Keeping water off the generator, cooling tins, distributor and wiring is a good thing. The rain-guard is so 'open', I can't see how it would restrict cooling, as others have also stated. Where's the advantage of rain, soapy wash water, snow, sleet or ice in your engine compartment?

I think VW didn't protect the engine compartment better because they were too cheap to do so. And they had Rabbit on their mind. The Beetle was supposed to rapidly grow old, die and disappear. I guess we fooled them.

Mon Oct 21, 2013 6:14 pm

I see the generator has a hole in the top to do the brushes and I would guess water isn't supposed to be inside it...and water could possibly get sucked into an after market air filter....

Mon Oct 21, 2013 6:43 pm

1970VWGUY wrote: I see the generator has a hole in the top to do the brushes and I would guess water isn't supposed to be inside it...and water could possibly get sucked into an after market air filter....
There is a plactic cover that goes on the upper generator brush access hole. They are readily available and do work perfectly to keep rain out of the generator.
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=113903531

Mon Oct 21, 2013 7:42 pm

"There is a plactic cover that goes on the upper generator brush access hole."

I've seen them with new generators but worried they might restrict generator cooling.

Mon Oct 21, 2013 8:02 pm

goober wrote: "There is a plactic cover that goes on the upper generator brush access hole."

I've seen them with new generators but worried they might restrict generator cooling.

That is why you only run a cover on the top hole. The bottom hole should stay open.

Tue Oct 22, 2013 6:48 am

Q-Dog wrote: goober wrote: "There is a plactic cover that goes on the upper generator brush access hole."

I've seen them with new generators but worried they might restrict generator cooling.

That is why you only run a cover on the top hole. The bottom hole should stay open.

Thanks

Tue Oct 22, 2013 6:50 am

The plastic one that fits on top of the decklid says something (cant remember too well)

About you must remove it if the outside temps are above 75f

Tue Oct 22, 2013 12:16 pm

I fully accept that the vent cover is wide open and it should allow air to be easily sucked in. However I'm not sure what the impact of rapid air flow and turbulence passing over the vent cover will be on restricting the free flow of air into the engine bay.

The faster you go the more turbulence and possible vacuum, preventing the free flow of air. Fluid dynamics are a strange and wonderful thing!

Good luck.