Hood Vents

[The Database]

I know that the driver side hood vent obviously feeds into the air box, but the passenger side vent is plugged. Does anybody ever remover that plug for heat release or is it pointless? I just hate non functional vents

[pbonsalb]

It is there for symmetry.

[disapr]

I removed my passenger side "plug" for a potential increase in ventilation and haven't had any issues. Both of my hood vents are wide open to the engine bay.

[The Database]

Then this I shall do!

[heart_doctor]

Originally Posted by The Database

I know that the driver side hood vent obviously feeds into the air box, but the passenger side vent is plugged. Does anybody ever remover that plug for heat release or is it pointless? I just hate non functional vents

Careful in the rain ... Or washing the car ...

[SchnellM3]

Originally Posted by heart_doctor

Careful in the rain ... Or washing the car ...

My thoughts exactly, it will allow a lot more water into the engine compartment if you remove the rubber seal on the passenger side... It may just pull out but getting it back in can be tricky and tedious unless you remove the whole vent assembly honeycomb and all.

[pbonsalb]

And what will a little rainwater do to the engine? You can hose off the engine and nothing will happen.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by disapr

I removed my passenger side "plug" for a potential increase in ventilation and haven't had any issues. Both of my hood vents are wide open to the engine bay.

i did this as well. took mine out and cut the bottom out of it with a razor blade so its open. got flamed for it pretty good.

[Ateam]

I got flamed as well, rather got torched! I do not see why people freak out. I have powerwashed my engine bay in every car I have owned for 14 years with no single issue! If you look where the hole is, there is nothing under there anyway and it may splash a bit on a few random parts which nothing there is electrical or anything.

It is also EASY to put back. You pop out the honeycomb vent in 2 seconds and then put the rubber back in and then reapply the vent. A LOT of heat poured out of there when you put your hand over top of it with the rubber gone. Whether that translated to anything who knows. I also did not notice any increased in engine noise/sound. Ultimately I put it back as I found no difference. I think its absolutely fine though.In the summer months I may do this to atleast help in some small way to eliminate so much heat.

[Daft]

The ESS s/c kit requires the driver side vent to be open (bypass valve in the way) and I can literally see heat waves pouring out of it. I'll be removing the passanger side vent cover come spring time.

[disapr]

Originally Posted by Daft

The ESS s/c kit requires the driver side vent to be open (bypass valve in the way) and I can literally see heat waves pouring out of it. I'll be removing the passanger side vent cover come spring time.

Exactly

[Ateam]

wow I got butt raped for asking this question! Looks like they like the OP much better!

IMO I see it as a no cost benefit if you live somewhere that does not snow or rain every day. Occasional rain will do nothing and as I said you can powerwash your engine and it does nothing. There is no cost to this mod however the benefit for anyone who has not done it, is extreme heat pouring out of the whole which otherwise would be trapped under the hood. In winter maybe not so bad but track or summer I cannot see how it would not be helpful

[The Database]

I always wondered about rain and the elements, but there are cars with very large hood vents and everything in the M3 engine bay is sealed so I'm not worried about that.

[Mahmood07]

Doesn't power washing your engine bay add more probability of metal parts rusting, or does the water just evaporate when the engine warms up? I took the hood vent off once for ventilation, but noticed the engine bay was very dusty after a couple of days.

[Ateam]

The water evaporates in 2 seconds once engine is on and up to tempt. 150 degrees under the hood atleast and the water is completely gone. Only thing you don't want to do is powerwash it after running the engine really hard or long as you risk causing structural problems with hypercooling the metal around the engine with water. But normal engine running or cold engine and not a problem at all.

Any water that escapes in through a vent when driving will be evaporated within seconds anyway

[szymonr]

I have removed the seal under the vent, but now I want it back. Any DIY how to install it again? I need to remove the vent? How to do it without scratching the hood?

thx

[And1M3]

Originally Posted by szymonr

I have removed the seal under the vent, but now I want it back. Any DIY how to install it again? I need to remove the vent? How to do it without scratching the hood?

thx

Slowly poke the seal back in place with a plastic screw driver.

[JuzMe]

Apart from hood ventilation and possibly adding radiator additive to decrease temperature, any other suggestion to help cool engine bay? Engine bay gets really hot in summer heat and takes a while to cool after parking. Looks for ways to help reduce heat. Thanks

[meko]

I remove it in summer or track day. Heat pours out the vent. That is only a good thing in my book.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by JuzMe

Apart from hood ventilation and possibly adding radiator additive to decrease temperature, any other suggestion to help cool engine bay? Engine bay gets really hot in summer heat and takes a while to cool after parking. Looks for ways to help reduce heat. Thanks

open the hood if you are at home or track.

[Koldun]

I had mine off for a while (totally blanked on putting it back when swapping my hood vents because it was getting dark and I was in a hurry). The heat haze was very evident, so I'm sure there is cooling benefit, but I work in a real dusty area, so I kept having to wash the bay weekly.

[saadrvb]

You can hose off the engine and nothing will happen.