Water issues

I'm told my car was made by cmc. The engine trunk lid is letting water in and on top of the air cleaners (dual carbs) which is then getting into the carb/motor. In looking at some of the cars on this site it appears many of them do not have a rubber seal around the the lid to body as mine is. Maybe the water is coming in via the grill area. How can I seal up this area. Anyone have this problem?
Maybe drill weep holes in bottom of lid?
-Russ

alot of guys have taken the rubber molding off and use rubber "donuts" to let more air in. You can't seal the grill off as that's how the air gets in to cool the engine.
Is it possible the water is splashing in off the road?
ed

IM sells some plastic "rain hats" (inverted bowl-like thingies) that fit over the air cleaners for dual Weber IDF's or dual Dellorto DRLA's and keep water from directly entering the air filters while the car is at rest or being driven; some moisture will still be ingested when driving in the rain and turn to steam during combustion - that's just the way it is.

The rain hats may have to be trimmed for clearance depending on what air cleaner setup and carb linkage your engine has.

(Message Edited 2/26/2003 4:30:39 PM)

Ed are you talking about the trunk molding. I have never had either type on this car. George that little rain hat is a good idea. I was trying to brainstorm on something like that. They would have to be customized as the air cleaners are real close to the body edge.
I have to cover the carbs with plastic bags if left out in weather for any lenght of time. George does your car have a rubber gasket between body and hood? This surely would stop most of it. I did not study grill close I assumed it was mostly for looks not a function of getting air into compartment.

No gasket between body and rear deck lid on an IM. It was raining torrents and blowing hard the day my new IM was delivered (it had rain hats then), and once last fall I got caught with a 70 mile commute in light rain (without the rain hats). Neither time was a problem.

The rain hats on my 2,110 were trimmed to clear the CB hex-bar throttle linkage; I took them off because I don't think they are needed on an Intermeccanica - remember that in an IM with tubular frame the engine is about 2 3/4" farther forward, so there's less chance of rain blowing through the deck lid's air intake grill up into the carburetor and air cleaner area.

Yes, I've got a rubber seal around the opening which I'm going to replace with fat rubber donuts. That lets a little more air in (and probably water) but I haven't had the water problem yet and I try to stay out of the rain.
ed

I had to cut away the fiberglass rain shield, under the air vent, so my 911 shroud would clear the engine lid. Now, the rain drips directly onto the whirring fan...resulting in water being spun to every part of the engine compartment. And, I got caught, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, in one, hell of a heavy rainfall. Surprise, surprise...no problems (but in VERY heavy rains, the car leaked EVERYWHERE!)
Ron

I run a Baja Bug with a totally open engine. When it rains, the engine gets wet. I have never had any problems starting or running. I also run dual carbs with air cleaners. I am sure that a certain amount of water is sucked into the carbs via the air cleaner element, but the water has no noticable effect on perfomance.

I drove the Baja coast to coast (relocation) in all types of weather, including snow, rain, high wind and even a l;ittle sun with no problems.

Thanks gents for the info. The only time this was a problem was when the car sat through a few storms. I had it covered with a car cover and a tarp but tarp did not go over engine compartment. Unknown to me it took in so much water via carbs that it came out dip stick I did not know this when I was trying to turn it over one fine sunny day. A VW buddy said I could have done major engine damage. I had noticed a little steam out the pipe prior to this and figured just a little moisture had got through. The time it filled up the car would not start. I figured it out fairly quick and drained the system out. It seems to run great still so I assume I did not bend anything??? So Ed are you concerned there is not enough air getting into engine--hince going to donuts. Is their a pic of this on this site? I live in the Seattle area so I think I would like to do those caps George just as a precaution when caught out in rain and maybe parked at a ball game....

I'm not overly concerned, but I'm right at the limit on hot days here in the tropical mid-atlantic. I need to look after the engine bay sealing, and renew the rubber around the tin. Also think I have an exaust leak as we have started backfiring of late. Iam getting behind on maintenance because of other pressures.
ed