Driving w/o fender liners...
 

I'd like to drive my car home from the shop Saturday, but it looks like rain.

My question is - how bad would it be to drive in the rain w/o my passengers side front wheel well liner? (It was half ripped out during autox) I know the wiring harness passes through that side.. just wondering what you think the real risk would be.

The main risk would be kicking up all kinds of road crap into the engine bay. That's about it.

I thought the wiring harness passes through the driver side. Maybe it goes through both sides. I could be wrong. Mine ripped out while i was driving on the highway and i drove like that for a while. Just make sure you zip tie any wires up to something, so the tires dont rub and wear the wires down.

drive it back, park it, then clean any grime out, put the fender liner back on. life should be ok. :D

If it's raining, that wheel is going to be flinging water and road debris on your headlight assembly and actuator.

hmm.. i just wonder if your brakes will be fine..? in other words no overheating? the aerodynamic design of the wheel well directing air into the brakes does not get a little out of whack with those off??

That worry would be VERY far down the list. I don't think she'll be on the brakes hard for extended periods of time (e.g. top speed runs) in the rain.

good point..

i was skim reading and the main points i noticed was a FD driver, who does autox, and is a girl.. :D

Passenger side you also have 4 relays mounted on a bracket right there. Maybe just put a plastic bag over them...They are already encased in rubber but can still get wet.

the most important question is, how far and on what kind of roads? a short trip shouldnt yield any problems. if you are gonna drive a couple of hours then maybe start worrying about things like relays, etc.

I've been missing mine since I purchased the car nearly a year ago and driven in all types of weather. You'll probably splash a bit of water onto your filters unless you have the stock airbox. I just hear my car pause for a second when it happens, then it goes back to normal. All the wiring there is covered in road grime though. Thats what I dont like about it. I just got a new fender liner in to replace it, but havent had the chance to go out and throw it in.

I would think as long as you arne't driving cross country and not going to be driving through flooded areas you would probably be fine. I mean it isn't like optimum conditions for the vehicle, but it shoudln't hurt anything. But I'd suggest as soon as you can, get the liner put back in. Because if nothing else, it helps keep everything clean. But make sure nothing can be pushed into the wheels or anything, drive home, check everything when you get a chance.

ive been driving mine for 2 years daily without the fender liners. the only problem i have is my engine constantly needs cleaning.

Ok cool thanks guys :)

I'm driving about 2.5 hours to bring it home, but it will be all highway. (Rte. 78 in PA) I just wanted to make sure that the water that was thrown in wasn't going to be causing any major electrical problems, etc. I'd hate to get all this work done then kill it splashing in a puddle on the road or something. :-p

I believe it does on both sides. I drove around for a summer without the lining in my passenger side and I too had to zip tie the wires so they wouldn't rub on the tires. This was done because the fender trim is designed with an enclosure for the wires to pass through, without it the wires lack support. Eventually, road debris ate away at the plastic covering/electrical tape, and the wires had to be re-taped and re-covered. Needless to say, I finally got my ass in gear and ordered a few fender wall trim. After doing it for an extended period of time, I would strongly recommend against doing so for any long portions. Take the time to re-install them, or spend the money to purchase new ones. Its worth it, considering the hassle you're likely to eventually endure if you don't.

Only thing is, I can't for the life of me find the accurate size clips to secure the fender trim properly.

The "front" (engine bay) harness makes a loop from the driver's side to passenger's side and enters the interior of the car on each side, in front of the door on the firewall.

Think. Thought. Wonder. It is about time someone came up with a solid answer.:D

Make sure you tie up anything that will snag because wiring headaches are some of the worst you can run into. I rubbed through part of my harness last year and created serious electrical problems.

It never ceases to amaze me how cheap (& stupid) people are. They invest $K's in mods, but wont spend the $100 a pop for fender liners.