As mentioned in my bonnet thread, I've recently had my bonnet scoop torn off by an errant seagull on the motorway. Obviously this leaves the intercooler exposed and air vent over the turbo also open to the elements.

Till I can sort the bonnet and scoop, I'm covering the hole once the engine has cooled to stop water entering when it rains (I have no garage). Obviously when you're driving it's ok, because any water will evaporate instantly. But when parked, I'm wary of water going straight into top of the engine and over the turbo. And it's summer, so it's gonna rain.

What would you do? Not worry about it or keep covering it up?

 

Just get a new / 2nd hand scoop. What model is it?

 

Will do, but probably going to need a new bonnet as well, so bit stuck at the moment. Bugeye WRX Wagon.

 

Ouch.. depending on where your based ask the Breakers on here.. They should have one lying around. Got a spare scoop for a Classic but thats no good to you!

 

you may be lucky bonnet wise, there is only 2 bolts holding the scoop on the rest are clips, so it may just have broke them.

 

It's bent the metal where the bolts attach... It was a big seagull.

 

Be careful driving it because the air won't be directed through the intercooler like it should be and if driven hard it could cause long term engine damage.

Must have been a bl00dy big seagull!!!

 

+1

 

Here's the damage. The two mounting points at the back I think have been totally bent out of shape. If anyone knows better, let me know.

 

If it hasn't cracked the paint you might have got away with that and you can bend it back with a piece of wood or something similar.

 

There were hairline cracks in it and when trying exactly what you said a small amount of paint did come off (it's in a place you wouldn't see once the scoop is on and it's aluminium so might be ok). But despite my efforts it's still not right. I think it might be FUBAR.

 

Yep, knackered, here's what it should look like:

 

warm the paint up with a hair dryer, that will bend back no problem.

 

Like you say it's not seen. So any bare alloy, touch up with some etch primer with a brush then slap abit of blue or any thing over that, replacement scoop, job done!

 

P.s I want to see the picture of the seagull in the scoop hahahaha

 

Ha! Seagull and scoop went over the roof and are now on the central reservation somewhere on the M5... There was a lot of gull gunk on the windscreen which made things even more interesting just after it hit! If you want a feather I'm still pulling them out of all sorts of places (so to speak).

Repair sound possible then, I'll investigate!

 

Like already mentioned, warm it up to try and save the paint and it should bend back no problem. You will easily pick a blue WRX scoop up as lots of people like myself fit the STI scoop to go with a STI intercooler. You could use it as an opportunity to upgrade to a STI scoop. If you do damage the bonnet you would still be better sourcing a scoop and then getting a bonnet when you find one local at a later date. Running without a scoop you will have to take it easy as you won't be getting proper cooling.