Mesh grill in side vents to prevent ingress of leaves etc

[Whitey]

I seem to have collected loads of leaves which collect at the back of the car near the exhaust exits and are tricky to get out without taking the under trays off. I presume they are mainly coming in through the main side vents in the rear clam. I believe the latest cars have modified grills with mesh included and are about £45 each, so not too bad. Has anybody done diy mesh or upgraded to the newer vents which have the mesh bonded to the gloss black plastic. Do these vents just pull out easily? And does it stop leaves etc getting into the rear of the car?

 

[djprov431]

I seem to have collected loads of leaves which collect at the back of the car near the exhaust exits and are tricky to get out without taking the under trays off. I presume they are mainly coming in through the main side vents in the rear clam. I believe the latest cars have modified grills with mesh included and are about £45 each, so not too bad. Has anybody done diy mesh or upgraded to the newer vents which have the mesh bonded to the gloss black plastic. Do these vents just pull out easily? And does it stop leaves etc getting into the rear of the car?

I doubt the leaves are coming in through the side engine air and cooling air intakes -- more likely the underbelly air scoop and straight through the front (the leaves and such absolutely do find their way through, we all have the same issue)

 

[Biggles of Norwich]

I seem to have collected loads of leaves which collect at the back of the car near the exhaust exits and are tricky to get out without taking the under trays off. I presume they are mainly coming in through the main side vents in the rear clam. I believe the latest cars have modified grills with mesh included and are about £45 each, so not too bad. Has anybody done diy mesh or upgraded to the newer vents which have the mesh bonded to the gloss black plastic. Do these vents just pull out easily? And does it stop leaves etc getting into the rear of the car?

I was told by a Hethel employee that it's only the i4s that have this mesh, to stop leaves catching fire in the engine compartment.. Seems a bit daft to have mesh on the i4s and not on the V6s, so maybe they will become standard fitting on all cars?

 

[Thirdgen89gta]

I was told by a Hethel employee that it's only the i4s that have this mesh, to stop leaves catching fire in the engine compartment.. Seems a bit daft to have mesh on the i4s and not on the V6s, so maybe they will become standard fitting on all cars?

Does seem odd as the filter is exposed directly to outside air. Most other intakes are behind grills and protected from large debris like leaves.

 

[silent cilantro]

I was told by a Hethel employee that it's only the i4s that have this mesh, to stop leaves catching fire in the engine compartment.. Seems a bit daft to have mesh on the i4s and not on the V6s, so maybe they will become standard fitting on all cars?

It is standard on all cars now. Started when the base V6 was released earlier this year.

 

[tankski]

I wonder if they're something we can retrofit with a part from the factory?

 

[Whitey]

As per my post above, you can get the newer vents with mesh included for about £45 each side, but you can’t buy just the mesh. I think I’m going to buy the newer vents with the mesh as I have now found out what a PITA removing the diffuser is. I did this last week and removed all 22 bolts but next time I think I’ll try leaving the forward edge of the diffuser attached to the under tray and just remove the 6 bumper attachment bolts and the 2 outboard bolts which go into the chassis.

 

[wuster]

Yes, was confirmed that all models have mesh screen now

3.5 Air Filter - did you know?

I've had a new OEM air filter on backorder at Bell and Colvill for going on 2 months now, sounds like they have some parts supply issues.

www.emiraforum.com

As per my post above, you can get the newer vents with mesh included for about £45 each side, but you can’t buy just the mesh. I think I’m going to buy the newer vents with the mesh as I have now found out what a PITA removing the diffuser is. I did this last week and removed all 22 bolts but next time I think I’ll try leaving the forward edge of the diffuser attached to the under tray and just remove the 6 bumper attachment bolts and the 2 outboard bolts which go into the chassis.

very impressive! did u happen to do write up? Sounds like a lot of work... not worth the effort?

 

[silent cilantro]

to remove the side intake ducts? It is pretty easy, you can get to them by just removing rear wheels and the front side of fender liner. Then it's just 2 bolts. I think @Whitey is referring to something else.