Road spray under hood

waumo1 · February 2, 2012

I went from a 1998 K1500 to a 2011 Sierra last September. As with any change there were a lot of things I like and few I don't. I've fixed most of the things I don't like but this last one was totally unexpected.

When driving in the rain and/or dirty wet highways with road spray in front of me from other vehicles I end up wiith road spray over the engine and all components clear back to the firewall, It is obviously coming in between the hood and filler panel.

I never had any of this on my 1998.

I installed a length of tailgate seal to the hood to help seal against the panel when closed but have not driven in rain since to see if it works.

Has anybody noticed this and found a fix?

SouthCo · February 2, 2012

It's sad but I've only driven my truck in the rain 2x, but didn't notice it. The two trips weren't very far. Let us know if it works and if I do notice I'll have the cure.

herm0016 · February 4, 2012

i built splash guards form corragated plastic to fit between the wheel wells and front bumpers. this seems to help with the spray in the engine compartment and also protects the window washer resivoir/pump and the fog light electrial connections.

2010LTZ4x4 · February 4, 2012

I made up front wheel well liners and for 2 winters now I have had no salt spray or rain get up in the engine bay.

waumo1 · February 4, 2012

I made up front wheel well liners and for 2 winters now I have had no salt spray or rain get up in the engine bay.

Yes I noticed road spray coming in from that omission also. I was a little shocked to see there were no supension flaps like in the older vehicles. Another thing to have to add to a $40K vehicle that should be there from the start.

Did you use plastic rivets to attach yours? The older vehicles used staples.

2010LTZ4x4 · February 4, 2012

I made up front wheel well liners and for 2 winters now I have had no salt spray or rain get up in the engine bay.

Yes I noticed road spray coming in from that omission also. I was a little shocked to see there were no supension flaps like in the older vehicles. Another thing to have to add to a $40K vehicle that should be there from the start.

Did you use plastic rivets to attach yours? The older vehicles used staples.

I used the push in barbs to hold them up and the rubber is 3/32" pond liner rubber which seems to be standing up well in the different temps.

herm0016 · February 5, 2012

great liners. i am gonig to have to do that to my truck also.

nht mike · February 8, 2012

Is there any easy way to seal between the hood and the grill like my "94 had? They use a lot of de-ice on the roads and it makes a real mess on the core support, over the engine and right back to the fire wall. I crack the hood and clean it up once a wek or so, but it seems like I'm just washing it into "no man's" land.

Mike

waumo1 · February 8, 2012

Is there any easy way to seal between the hood and the grill like my "94 had? They use a lot of de-ice on the roads and it makes a real mess on the core support, over the engine and right back to the fire wall. I crack the hood and clean it up once a wek or so, but it seems like I'm just washing it into "no man's" land.

Mike

Looking at gap between the edge of the hood and the grille, I couldn't see anyway to seal that easily. I did install a seal somewhat back on the hood and I think it is sealing (or close) towards the rear of the filler panel. I haven't been out in driving rain with it to judge the effect.

highspeedvehicle · February 9, 2012

Same problem here, did a road trip to New York during a snow storm and lets just say that halfway there when I stopped to fill up the washer fluid I discovered the bay covered with snow. Then again the other day cleaned the bay out and drove during a snow storm and dirty again. Sucks. 2010LTZ4X4 I really like your wheel well idea and might give it a try.