Re: [DML] Engine cover screens - necessary or not?

["Tom" <dmctom@xxxxxxxxx>]

Thank you all! I appreciate all the answers and ideas.

Rod - I don't like driving the DeLorean in the rain either but you can't 
always predict the weather. Even when riding a motorcycle I got wet a few 
times... while trying to avoid the rain. It would be easier in dry areas 
like Nevada or Utah but not here in Europe. So, I want to do something about 
it. You are right, heat is an enemy for all things electrical but so is 
water. Plus, water doesn't do any good for the A/C clutch.

I'm really glad you still appreciate the wide angle mirrors. Thank you. I 
still have a few sets left so if anyone ever needs a set they are still 
available.

Welmoed - Even though you say that you are not an engineer you do sound like 
one ;) What you say makes perfect sense! I'm just wondering if the heat 
buildup in the engine bay will be so significant. When I lived in Florida my 
DeLorean had a hard time staying cool. The fans would start every time I 
would stop at a red light and would stay running for a long time. But here 
in Poland it rarely gets so hot and I could probably get away without the 
fans... most of the time at least. It makes me wonder if the screens were 
added to keep the engine cool in hot summer days in southern states like 
Florida. It might be just fine in colder climates.
BTW, I do keep the car in a garage. Nice and cool in the summer and warm in 
the winter but I want to drive it as much as I can and not worry about the 
rain.

Nick - I will do an experiment. I will install an engine bay thermometer and 
see what difference the screens make. Just wanted to see what others think 
about it. Thanks!

David - The alternator is low to the ground and I don't believe it will be 
affected, but there is a risk of raising the temperature. Now, about the 
forced cooling... I don't like the idea of adding another fan to the car. 
It's an additional load for the weak electrical system and another thing 
that might fail. I did think about adding some kind of flaps to the cover 
that would be controlled by a thermostat. They would open when the engine is 
hot and close when it cools down. I though about using one of those bi-metal 
or gel filled thermostats that control air intake flap - pure mechanical 
part, no electricity, they virtually never fail.

Pete - This is a little misconception. The engine doesn't get hotter because 
it can't. The so called heat soak is not a heating up of the engine as a 
whole but transfer of heat. When the engine is running some parts are hotter 
(exhaust manifold) and some are cooler (oil pan). When you stop the engine 
the temperature starts to equalize. As a result the cooler parts do actually 
get warmer. The engine heads will warm up from the hot exhaust for instance. 
There is no more coolant circulating to keep some parts cooler. The same 
goes for other systems and a good example is the fuel system. With the 
engine running the circulating gasoline keeps the fuel components cooler. As 
you stop the engine those parts heat up from the engine block and so, the 
fuel distributor gets so hot that fuel will vaporize in the lines and 
prevent the engine from restarting. That is why Bosch installed a fuel 
accumulator to keep the gas under pressure and prevent boiling.

OK, again, thank you everyone for posting your ideas. I will do some 
experiments to see what difference the screens make. I will post my 
findings. Don't expect anything anytime soon. It's way to cold (it's still 
snowing) to do any overheating experiments. Besides, my engine is still not 
in the car....


Greetings from Poland!
Tom Niemczewski
Vin 6149 plus 2418, 3633, 5030, 16473, 17086
Google earth: 52°25'17.66"N, 21° 1'58.40"E 



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