Cover engine grill when washing?

I usually put a towel over the engine and under the grill when I'm washing the car. Does anyone else do this? Is it necessary, seems like an awful lot of water gets in there and it could cause problems.

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Dan S.
1974 911 Targa

Can't hurt, but the car is designed to work in the rain!

Porsches, also your older vehicle get tested under the most extreme conditions. A water proof test is amongst the test criteria. Furthermore the water that will get into the engine compartment through the decklid grille automaticaly runs out via a drainange circuit. When you keep your engine in good shape espacially the electrical parts, there is absolutely no need for covering the engine and/or grille.

I guess it just saves me extra drying effort since most of the motor and components stay dry and for that it's worth it to me.

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Dan S.
1974 911 Targa

i have a concourse quality '89 speedster and i definitely cover the engine with a towel prior to washing it. it saves quite a lot of time not having to wipe down the engine after getting soaked.

on my "normal" other 911, i don't cover the grill.

Always. Last time I didn't something got wet and I was running on 5 cylinders for about 15 miles until it heated up and dried out. At idle the damn thing shook like a Harley.

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blue
'81 SC Targa

Hmmm...After market distributor cap..and bad air seals on plug wires run on 5 cyl till dry. New plug wires (from Pelican) and Bosch cap ... no more problems gave up the towel but still wipe down compartment after wash.

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Howie
79SC

Started covering mine recently after polishing fan housing and strap. Without cover watermarks meant extra work on cleaning - didn't happen with cover. Also incidentally never happens in the rain - must be aerodynamics and / or heat.

Never felt the need to cover except for aesthetic reasons though.

Roy