Can I block the hood vents

KEES

MEMBER
2015 FORD MUSTANG
5.0L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
7,000 MILES

Hi there,

I am in Holland-Europe, and I just bought a USA export Mustang GT, new 2015 version. As it is also officially sold in Europe, my US import differs from those. One difference is that my one has two hood vents, the openings facing the front window. I noticed water can just get through: on one side the air filter box is under the hole, on the other side the wires leading to the fuse box. Nothing mentioned in the Owners manual, and no problems yet, but can I block these holes? Seen/read a lot on the subject, but so many opinions.
Regards,
Kees

6 Replies

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

I would not block these vents. They serve two purposes. First, they are a fresh air inlet for the engine and second they help evacuate the hot air from around the engine. If these are blocked the engine could actually overheat. Not to mention if you block the air inlet the engine will be down on power because the air flow will be decreased.

As for water getting into the openings, that is 100% okay. It is expected that some water will get in there and that is not an issue.

Please let me know if you have questions. Thanks

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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 4:47 PM

KEES

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Hello Kenny,

Thanks for that quick reply. Still, the EU version does not have these vents. I read that they are omitted out of safety reasons: pedestrians could be hurt. The way they could be hurt is not given, and it is a strange reason anyway, because nothing in. The only other thing worth mentioning in this is that the EU version has 435 HP/Pk and the US version had 450 HP/Pk. I doubt if that small difference means more heat though.

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Wednesday, April 8th, 2020 AT 1:27 AM

KEES

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(Because nothing.) Is sticking out or such.

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Wednesday, April 8th, 2020 AT 4:44 AM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

I can't speak to why the EU would think this is a safety issue other then it sounds like a strict governmental oversight. Clearly we have them here in the states and I have never heard of someone being hurt from them.

While they do have function, they are mostly for ascetics (looks) so if you don't like them, I assume you could change the hood out so they are not there. You may have to re-route some "pluming" but it can be done.

I did a search online for this safety issue in the EU and didn't find anything so that one has me stumped.

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Wednesday, April 8th, 2020 AT 5:48 PM

KEES

MEMBER
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Well, it is not that I don't like them. By blocking the holes from the inside you still see the complete vent on the outside anyway (see picture attached). Also, to be honest, opening the hood after rain, there is no visible water underneath, but that is probably because the heat of the engine makes it go away quick. Anyway, I just wondered, but I guess I will leave them open then. Thanks for your advise!

Image (Click to make bigger)