Rear Spoiler

dmicpa · Nov 3, 2001

I notice that the rear hatch gets dirty very quickly due to the exhaust fumes or road dust swirling around. Would a spoiler or something prevent this. I believe many years ago station wagons had a spoiler type device on the rear to change the air current and deflect the soot.

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2001 EX, White, Trailer Hitch, Back-up Sensor, Heartland Console, Mudflaps,comp/temp Mirror,Muth signal side mirrors

Man314 · Nov 3, 2001

I've notice the exact same thing. The "dirt" is very black. It is quite unusual as our dirt down here in Georgia is "orange" . . . almost looks like brake dust. My back hatch gets dirtier than anywhere else on my van.

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2002 MB EXL NAV
Cargo Tray, iVES, Zaino, Poron Reverse Sensors, Door Edge Guards, Fogs, & more ZAINO!!

abyez · Nov 4, 2001

Air turbulence at the back is a major issue. Thats why on any hatchbacks, there would be a rear-window wiper - this also apply to cars with short butt

like RSX, Celica...

My guess would be the tire & road dust that is swirled and wound-up on our ody's back. I think installing a splash guard would help a little - just a litle.

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hachiroku · Nov 4, 2001

That's true.The road dirt is due to the short overhang. My hatchback has the same dirt problem. Unfortunately there really isn't a good solution to this.

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-ROB-
'01 GG LX "Lagreat"(with stuff,just S-T-U-F-F)

http://community.webshots.com/album/18601743AkjQIJiKqK

Llarry · Nov 4, 2001

Whoa, pardner! "There really isn't a good solution"? Them's fighting words! Sic 'em, Chuck!

dmicpa · Nov 4, 2001

There must be an engineering talented person that can confirm that the air flow travels in a circular motion and that means the hatch receives all of the gunk. A device that overhangs or somehow changes the wind current would seem to be the solution.

As for the rear wiper, I don't often use it as, if the window is on the dry side, I thought it would scratch the glass.

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2001 EX, White, Trailer Hitch, Back-up Sensor, Heartland Console, Mudflaps,comp/temp Mirror,Muth signal side mirrors, Honda Cargo Tray

abyez · Nov 4, 2001

Originally posted by dmicpa:
There must be an engineering talented person that can confirm that the air flow travels in a circular motion and that means the hatch receives all of the gunk. A device that overhangs or somehow changes the wind current would seem to be the solution.

As for the rear wiper, I don't often use it as, if the window is on the dry side, I thought it would scratch the glass.

That "engineering talented person" would be ME!!!!

Thank you

Actually it doesnt take a PhD to "confirm that the air flow travels in a circular motion"........on rainy days, have you ever noticed that water on the road sprays up and swirls in circular motion behind all vehicles - this swirling is more severe on a car with short butt

Like our Ody, SUV and hatchback. Instead of water swirling in circle, on dry road, tiny particles of road dust become airborne and stick to our Ody's butt

....smart ehhh?

How to tackle this problem??? Did I mention..
1. splash guards
2. rear spoiler skirt (like the Isight has)
3. maybe...rear trailer HITCH
4. maybe...rear mudflaps...or...splash guards similar to those found on 18-wheelers

The rear wiper has the help of windshield fluid sprayer to help dissolve most dirt, in a way minimises on scrathces.

Any more engineering stuff??? I'm up to dah challenge !!!

I hope

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[This message has been edited by abyez (edited 11-04-2001).]

[This message has been edited by abyez (edited 11-04-2001).]

Jerry O1 · Nov 4, 2001

All that stuff is gonna be sucked in there, no matter what you do. When you run a "breadbox" down the road, there is a low pressure area created in the wake of the thing which naturally draws "stuff" from the surrounding airflow into it. Ever notice what such a vehicle which lives on a very dusty road looks like? No, I wouldn't turn that rear wiper on, unless the window is very wet and, if it is very dirty, not even then, or scratches will almost surely result.

Jerry O.

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2001 Odyssey GG LX

dmicpa · Nov 5, 2001

Abyez

Thanks for the technical input and visual aids. I looked at some of the items you mentioned and only the mud flaps similar to the 18 wheelers look like they have any potential for mounting on the Ody. I already have the stock Honda mudflaps and they are not effective.

Now, do they make any for the Ody?

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2001 EX, White, Trailer Hitch, Back-up Sensor, Heartland Console, Mudflaps,comp/temp Mirror,Muth signal side mirrors, Honda Cargo Tray

hachiroku · Nov 5, 2001

Originally posted by Llarry:
Whoa, pardner! "There really isn't a good solution"? Them's fighting words! Sic 'em, Chuck!

Hey Llama boy, judging by the replies, I still don't see any real solution.

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-ROB-
'01 GG LX "Lagreat"(with stuff,just S-T-U-F-F)

http://community.webshots.com/album/18601743AkjQIJiKqK

ckonarske · Nov 5, 2001

Uh, I just wash the van when the windows get dirty. Does that count as a solution?

Seriously, I don't notice any black substance on the hatch, just the same kind of dirt/dust that's everywhere else.

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Chuck
Click here for Ody pics, mods and fixes on FotoTime.

dlh2 · Nov 5, 2001

Remember these air deflectors on some of the old station wagons? Bet the created a lot of drag!
http://www.fototime.com/{CAB279D6-D48F-48FC-A778-E9F73E7FE626}/picture.JPG

http://www.fototime.com/{D86A2C84-EAED-4F14-B7D9-9B19509ACE7A}/picture.JPG

Found these at stationwagon.com. Fell out of the chair laughing at some of the old Detroit iron!

[This message has been edited by dlh2 (edited 11-05-2001).]

dmicpa · Nov 5, 2001

Gee Whiz, we can get a man to the moon but we cannot solve this very perplexing, worldwide, vexing situation.

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2001 EX, White, Trailer Hitch, Back-up Sensor, Heartland Console, Mudflaps,comp/temp Mirror,Muth signal side mirrors, Honda Cargo Tray

abyez · Nov 6, 2001

Originally posted by dmicpa:
Gee Whiz, we can get a man to the moon but we cannot solve this very perplexing, worldwide, vexing situation.

Drive a sedan with a relatively longer butt

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Maugham · Nov 6, 2001

Originally posted by abyez:
Drive a sedan with a relatively longer butt

Mine is just getting wider.

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Maugham

"I plan to live forever. So far, so good"
'02 RP EXL
'85 Prelude
'01 Ninja folding aluminum scooter
'00 New Balance Model 658 Shoes w/ Green Grass stains and '01 White Laces w/ Frayed Tips

abyez · Nov 7, 2001

Originally posted by Maugham:
Mine is just getting wider.

LoL

Mine is getting FLATTER

-
did I just mis-spelled ... oohh well, who cares

Ya'll get the Idea of what I was conveying. There goes another PhD. who cant spell

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[This message has been edited by abyez (edited 11-07-2001).]

pearsonrj · Nov 7, 2001

Well, I feel qualified to backup some of the comments made on this particular thread, as I have a degree in Aeronautical Engineering...

Bottom-line - the shape of the rear of the Ody will always cause turbulent (as opposed to laminar) airflow around the rear, which will end up with the rear of your Ody being dirty. Those air deflectors used on station wagons become less useful as speed increases, and only work in the vertical plane (they don't help turbulence forming around the sides of the hatch). Short of placing an aerodynamic tail of some sort on the rear, there's not much you can do, I don't think - the rate of curvature is more than the air can handle without becoming turbulent. The 18-wheeler/RV style mudflaps would certainly help prevent some of the dirt kicked up from the tires from getting into the turbulent airflow behind the rear.

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Richard
2002 Granite Green EX-L
Splash Guards, Cargo Tray, Weathertech Mats

10/6Odyssey · Nov 7, 2001

Nice response pearsonrj! Definitive, concise and qualified.

Thank you!

dmicpa · Nov 7, 2001

Very good response. The semi-truck mudflaps would seem to do the trick. At least there is a posible solution.

Now, where could one obtain reasonable looking mudflaps?

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2001 EX, White, Trailer Hitch, Back-up Sensor, Heartland Console, Mudflaps,comp/temp Mirror,Muth signal side mirrors, Honda Cargo Tray

hachiroku · Nov 8, 2001

Originally posted by dmicpa:

Now, where could one obtain reasonable looking mudflaps?

If you're serious about it, I'd suggest trying shops that specialize in rally cars i.e. Rod Millen Motorsports, Sube Sports,Libra Racing,etc. Or you could try the Japanese off-road brand,JAOS. They have a U.S. website: www.JAOSUSA.com
Good luck.

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-ROB-
'01 GG LX "Lagreat"(with stuff,just S-T-U-F-F)

http://community.webshots.com/album/18601743AkjQIJiKqK

Rear Spoiler

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