Yesterday we had some heavy rain here in NJ and the car was parked so since this is a brand new car I am still doing various checks to see any possible problems and I notice that rain water some how made it on the left side of the air filter cover in those small rectangular holes that are all around the cover. Anyone see this as a problem? I do. With water getting in anytime it rains the engine bay will be showing rust in no time. heavy rain or light I am pretty sure that water will be making its way into the engine bay.

 

I don't think it's a problem. There are the drain holes at the bottom of the windshield in the trench where the windshield wipers live; my guess is that water got from there onto your air cleaner.

Bear in mind that whenever you drive in the rain there's water being pushed into the engine compartment through all those big holes in the front of the car. It's designed to get some water on it from time to time without damage.

Water gets on the roof and doors and stuff whenever it rains, too, and they don't get rusty immediately from it. The engine bay is painted in exactly the same way. Your car will be fine.

 

Yep, nothing is water tight and not meant to be. The sunroof has a water drain channel, the doors allow water in and only a plastic sheath keeps water from soaking the inner door panel. The car is designed that way.

 

I know the Fit has that plastic panel underneath the engine, but most cars don't, and it's completely normal that water constantly gets splashed up into the engine bay.

 

I'm going to the dealer today to cancel my extended warranty and will look at other Fits in the lot to see if they have water in the same spots. We had heavy rain yesterday too so if anything dripped it should still be there today.