Water drains into the engine bay if hatch is opened when car is wet?

[Next Decade]

Not sure if this was covered here yet, but I was able to go see the car over at Lotus Haese near Frankfurt this week. It had been raining and the car was wet.

When I lifted the rear hatch, a good amount of water drained directly into the engine bay… this wasn’t an issue as the car wasn’t warm, but if the engine was hot it could be a problem.

Anyways, I was just wondering if anyone else has seen this happen? Either way the car was great and has rekindled my excitement. Seeing it in person definitely helps mitigate the frustration of knowing I’ll have waited over 25 months since placing a deposit (assuming no further delays).

 

[Tonyshepp]

You are one of the few outside Lotus who has had the chance to observe this, real life living with the car. Did you see water in the boot?

 

[Kammi]

This was also the case with my Elise MK 2 in heavy rain! This did not cause any problems. In these cases, simply take a towel with you and dry it off before opening

 

[digilotus]

I think it’s designed for this. Lotus have a monsoon testing environment they use at Hethel too.

On the Evora 410 with windowless carbon louvre hatch, water during rain or washing the car can enter straight into the engine bay.

 

[Next Decade]

You are one of the few outside Lotus who has had the chance to observe this, real life living with the car. Did you see water in the boot?

No water was in the trunk, maybe a little bit dropped in upon opening but most fell directly on the engine. This was just a phenomenon that occurred when the existing rain water on the hatch moved as it was opened. It was only about 2-3 ounces, but enough that I would not want falling onto a hot engine.

Yes, I’m very lucky. I actually went out of my way to go here during my trip to Europe. To my surprise there was not a single person besides me at the dealership.

 

[JohnHoward]

Not sure if this was covered here yet, but I was able to go see the car over at Lotus Haese near Frankfurt this week. It had been raining and the car was wet.

When I lifted the rear hatch, a good amount of water drained directly into the engine bay… this wasn’t an issue as the car wasn’t warm, but if the engine was hot it could be a problem.

Anyways, I was just wondering if anyone else has seen this happen? Either way the car was great and has rekindled my excitement. Seeing it in person definitely helps mitigate the frustration of knowing I’ll have waited over 25 months since placing a deposit (assuming no further delays).

My Evora 410 Sport had the carbon hatch with the louvres. The engine would get a good soaking in heavy rain, but it never caused any issues. The boot is protected by a rubber strip, so no problems there. You had to be a bit more careful opening the hatch when it had been raining otherwise it would run into the boot, opening it a little to let the water run off first.

 

[JimH]

It's been well tested with the Evora, which does the same, since 2009.......

 

[KJD]

I had a Exige 350 with the louvred tailgate.
Found this one winter’s morning when the wind was from the right direction…

The Emira’s engine will be just fine.

 

[TomE]

Happens on my Evora too. As others have said, just lift the hatch a fraction and the rain runs off, then open it fully. It rarely drops into the boot, mainly runs into the sides and rear of the engine bay. The boot itself has seals, so no water gets in when the hatch is shut. No issues in 11 years.

On the Evora Series 1, water can also collect in the scoop above the door handle then runs onto your feet when you open the door. Shouldn’t happen with Emira.

 

[Next Decade]

I’ve been a bit detached from these forums for awhile but will be headed to Hethel soon for a factory tour.

I’m not even sure if there’s any small items that have yet to be picked apart here, but if anyone has suggestions/requests I’d be happy to capture them (if possible).

 

[Johnson]

I’ve been a bit detached from these forums for awhile but will be headed to Hethel soon for a factory tour.

I’m not even sure if there’s any small items that have yet to be picked apart here, but if anyone has suggestions/requests I’d be happy to capture them (if possible).

I’d like to know where the water goes when it enters the bonnet cut outs. Potentially it can wash dirt/leaves into the space, which is difficult to open.

(There’s a section in the manual that details the removal of the three bolts, but that will get old quickly.)

 

[TomE]

I’d like to know where the water goes when it enters the bonnet cut outs. Potentially it can wash dirt/leaves into the space, which is difficult to open.

(There’s a section in the manual that details the removal of the three bolts, but that will get old quickly.)

Won't that be just like the non-accessible front space on Evora/Elise/Exige? There are grilles on most openings to catch larger items like leaves, but water and dirt will still get in, as well as from underneath.

Although this will make non-visible components wet/dirty, I'm not sure it will lead to long term problems. The chassis is aluminium and major components are weather-proofed.

I've only heard of a couple of possible weather-related issue on the Evora. One to do with window seals and some cases of water getting to window lifters. The other due to water dripping onto the yoke of the starter motor and in some cases leading to premature failure.

 

[emiraspain]

I had a Exige 350 with the louvred tailgate.
Found this one winter’s morning when the wind was from the right direction…

View attachment 8862

The Emira’s engine will be just fine.

Now that really was an ICE car......

 

[VL3X]

I’d like to know where the water goes when it enters the bonnet cut outs. Potentially it can wash dirt/leaves into the space, which is difficult to open.

(There’s a section in the manual that details the removal of the three bolts, but that will get old quickly.)

I'm heading to Italy in a couple weeks and plan to visit the Florence dealer to see an Emira or two myself!

Did you happen to take any other Emira pics at Lotus Haese? I'd love to see them since I specced Seneca blue. Kinda cool to see it in the rain.

 

[emiraspain]

Not sure if this was covered here yet, but I was able to go see the car over at Lotus Haese near Frankfurt this week. It had been raining and the car was wet.

When I lifted the rear hatch, a good amount of water drained directly into the engine bay… this wasn’t an issue as the car wasn’t warm, but if the engine was hot it could be a problem.

Anyways, I was just wondering if anyone else has seen this happen? Either way the car was great and has rekindled my excitement. Seeing it in person definitely helps mitigate the frustration of knowing I’ll have waited over 25 months since placing a deposit (assuming no further delays).

Come on next decade, you have to be fair to lotus....... You need to understand the car is designed by people in a country where it simply doesn't rain! How on earth do you expect them to take such things into account and make design allowances for such unlikely occurrences.
Can I suggest you move somewhere like the UK that is constantly dry, or if not, buy a car like a Seat designed by people who live in other climates far worst than the UKs....

 

[Next Decade]

I'm heading to Italy in a couple weeks and plan to visit the Florence dealer to see an Emira or two myself!

Did you happen to take any other Emira pics at Lotus Haese? I'd love to see them since I specced Seneca blue. Kinda cool to see it in the rain.

Honestly, I didn’t take as many as I would have liked. It was a bit surreal seeing it in person and my objective mind was slightly scrambled.

I more or less took many mental snapshots. Either way, I’ll be in Hethel next week, though I’m uncertain of the rules that will be in place during that time. Maybe someone can chime in on this…whether or not the rules on photos will still be in place due to the first customer deliveries being made now.

 

[VL3X]

Thank you for posting these! I'm so happy I stuck with Seneca. It may be silly, but I even like the red exhaust hanger bushings they used. Adds that sporty touch showing through the rear diffuser.

 

[TomE]

Honestly, I didn’t take as many as I would have liked. It was a bit surreal seeing it in person and my objective mind was slightly scrambled.

I more or less took many mental snapshots. Either way, I’ll be in Hethel next week, though I’m uncertain of the rules that will be in place during that time. Maybe someone can chime in on this…whether or not the rules on photos will still be in place due to the first customer deliveries being made now.

Great pics, thanks for posting.

The restrictions on taking photos at Hethel are unlikely to be lifted - it's more about the possibility of confidential projects for other companies being snapped on site than about shots of the Emira.

If you're on the factory tour you can take pictures of the display cars inside the visitor centre but not in the manufacturing hall. If you're there for the driving academy then you can take pictures of the academy cars. You'll have a great time - look forward to hearing your feedback.

 

[Next Decade]

Great pics, thanks for posting.

The restrictions on taking photos at Hethel are unlikely to be lifted - it's more about the possibility of confidential projects for other companies being snapped on site than about shots of the Emira.

If you're on the factory tour you can take pictures of the display cars inside the visitor centre but not in the manufacturing hall. If you're there for the driving academy then you can take pictures of the academy cars. You'll have a great time - look forward to hearing your feedback.

I didn’t realize driving academy was a thing. This was more of a last minute decision while essentially winging a 2 week trip throughout Europe.

I am in Berlin for the next couple of days before a trip to London and will be heading to Hethel thereafter.

I have not planned any details of this trip in advance and it’s been amazing so far. I even got a random lap on the Nurburgring! And when I say random, I mean it lol. Met someone who used to drive there semi professionally and still goes for fun regularly. One drunken conversation less than 24hrs prior and next thing I know we’re in Nuremberg. The plan was to rent an M4 but they were all booked; not a single option for rent was available and no track taxis.

So, In the spirit of this trip…we did what any rational person would. We hopped in the car we drove there in; an Audi Q5 .

This guy was good too. The track was wet and we’re going balls to the wall in a luxurious soccer mom mobile on all weather tires. Packed with 4 grown ass men and full of luggage. We were only passed twice the entire time and we’re passing up full on race cars with roll cages. It was great. I think I had more fun than if we had been in an actual track car just because of the sheer ridiculousness of it all. Needless to say it’s something I’ll never forget.

 

[Mistral]

I didn’t realize driving academy was a thing. This was more of a last minute decision while essentially winging a 2 week trip throughout Europe.

I am in Berlin for the next couple of days before a trip to London and will be heading to Hethel thereafter.

I have not planned any details of this trip in advance and it’s been amazing so far. I even got a random lap on the Nurburgring! And when I say random, I mean it lol. Met someone who used to drive there semi professionally and still goes for fun regularly. One drunken conversation less than 24hrs prior and next thing I know we’re in Nuremberg. The plan was to rent an M4 but they were all booked; not a single option for rent was available and no track taxis.

So, In the spirit of this trip…we did what any rational person would. We hopped in the car we drove there in; an Audi Q5 .

This guy was good too. The track was wet and we’re going balls to the wall in a luxurious soccer mom mobile on all weather tires. Packed with 4 grown ass men and full of luggage. We were only passed twice the entire time and we’re passing up full on race cars with roll cages. It was great. I think I had more fun than if we had been in an actual track car just because of the sheer ridiculousness of it all. Needless to say it’s something I’ll never forget.

That is utterly brilliant! Enjoy your time at Hethel.