New 430 Owner

Nephron · 03-16-2011, 08:49 PM

Hello everyone, been trolling the site prior to getting my 05 F430. Thus far I love it! I did have a question that I havent been able to find the answer to through search. I drove it quite a bit this past Sunday, and it needs to be washed now.

I noticed that on either side of the glass bonnet, there is open ventilation for the motor, I'm assuming that one would not want to get water into these vents and into the engine compartment, how do you guys then wash this part of the car?! Any info would be appreciated.

Barry · 03-17-2011, 12:32 AM

Welcome to F Life Nephron,
On my 360 water always leaks in to the engine compartment when I wash the car (or when it rains) through those vents. Never caused any problems for me. From recollection it is channelled out through a drain.

chesterfield · 03-17-2011, 07:00 AM

Hi, and welcome to the forum

I too had the same concerns, however more from the point of view that I knew cleaning would be a real pain in the backside.

Dont worry about the odd bit of water making it through the vents. If you look either side of the engine bay, you will see channels that gather the water that may fall in and drain it out.

I always check just to make sure those drains are not blocked, which they invariably aren't (though I dont know how anything would get in there to block them anyway).

When washing the car, I just make sure not to spray water directly onto that area - the odd little bit going through should not cause a problem, just make sure you arent soaking the entire engine by getting generous with the hosepipe.

If you are doing a full detail and thorough wash and clean, with the use of snow foam etc. I would be tempted to mask off the areas with insulating tape, or some other material that will not turn to mush when it gets wet.

Again, not for fear of water going where it shouldnt, but more that I will be left with another long cleaning job in the engine bay if snowfoam makes its way through.

Similarly I take the same precautions with the large intake vents on the hips, as snowfoam inside there may also dry and leave an unsightly residue.

Hope that helps.

Boxer · 03-17-2011, 01:05 PM

I would not worry about it. Water gets into the engine compartment on the F40 every time it gets washed.

Congrats on the 430.

il Capolino · 03-17-2011, 02:42 PM

You'll need to wash the engine and engine bay every now and then anyway. It's just an engine not an aquarell, it can handle a wash.

Have fun with your 430!

03-16-2011, 08:49 PM	#1
Nephron Owner Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NC Ferrari Life Posts: 2	New 430 Owner Hello everyone, been trolling the site prior to getting my 05 F430. Thus far I love it! I did have a question that I havent been able to find the answer to through search. I drove it quite a bit this past Sunday, and it needs to be washed now. I noticed that on either side of the glass bonnet, there is open ventilation for the motor, I'm assuming that one would not want to get water into these vents and into the engine compartment, how do you guys then wash this part of the car?! Any info would be appreciated.

03-17-2011, 12:32 AM	#2
Barry Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Europe Ferrari Life Posts: 3,256	Welcome to F Life Nephron, On my 360 water always leaks in to the engine compartment when I wash the car (or when it rains) through those vents. Never caused any problems for me. From recollection it is channelled out through a drain. Barry Ferrari's: 360 Modena F1, 308 GT4 Other Italians: Ducati 916, Ducati 848 DD's: RR Sport, BMW 645ci, BMW 1200GS Adv.

03-17-2011, 01:05 PM	#4
Boxer Owner Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: UK Ferrari Life Posts: 12,781	I would not worry about it. Water gets into the engine compartment on the F40 every time it gets washed. Congrats on the 430. Boxer Current: F40, F50, 612, 430 Scuderia Past: 360 Modena, 360 Challenge, 550, 575, 365BB, 512BB, 456 GT, F355 GTS, 365 GTB/4 Daytona, 308 GTB

03-17-2011, 02:42 PM	#5
il Capolino Owner Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Switzerland Ferrari Life Posts: 1,023 Name: Capo	You'll need to wash the engine and engine bay every now and then anyway. It's just an engine not an aquarell, it can handle a wash. Have fun with your 430! Salve, Capo The bad news: Time flies The good news: I'm the pilot You cannot make life longer but you can make it wider and also much higher.

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03-17-2011, 07:00 AM	#3
chesterfield Owner Join Date: May 2010 Ferrari Life Posts: 65	Hi, and welcome to the forum I too had the same concerns, however more from the point of view that I knew cleaning would be a real pain in the backside. Dont worry about the odd bit of water making it through the vents. If you look either side of the engine bay, you will see channels that gather the water that may fall in and drain it out. I always check just to make sure those drains are not blocked, which they invariably aren't (though I dont know how anything would get in there to block them anyway). When washing the car, I just make sure not to spray water directly onto that area - the odd little bit going through should not cause a problem, just make sure you arent soaking the entire engine by getting generous with the hosepipe. If you are doing a full detail and thorough wash and clean, with the use of snow foam etc. I would be tempted to mask off the areas with insulating tape, or some other material that will not turn to mush when it gets wet. Again, not for fear of water going where it shouldnt, but more that I will be left with another long cleaning job in the engine bay if snowfoam makes its way through. Similarly I take the same precautions with the large intake vents on the hips, as snowfoam inside there may also dry and leave an unsightly residue. Hope that helps.