Engine Covers?

[Verbout]

Do we need all this plastic under the bonnet? Has anyone removed it all? Apart from the aesthetic look when you pop the bonnet and keeping the engine clean, why?

I do a lot of my own work on my cars, taking off and replacing these engine covers is going to test my patience.

[johnatg]

It looks modern and nice! And it's fashionable! And it does make the car marginally quieter. But really the centre cover is dead easy - just pull. I agree that the others are a bit of a pain. The front one is possibly important for aerodynamics (of engine intake and cooling air)

[Verbout]

I've had the centre cover off, no problem, its held on with common rubber fasteners I have seen on several cars I have owned.

But I wonder if at some time the plastic push fasteners will break with use and at that point do you bother putting all the shielding on. Don't know?. Time will tell.

I agree, it does look nice.

It was a bit of a laugh when the neighbour came over to look at the car, when I told him it was a V6 he asked for a look, we both laughed as we looked under the bonnet, underwhelming or what?

[Gramera flash]

I have removed all of my covers, I like to have a good look around under the bonnet every now and again for anything that may be amiss such as leaks, having removed the covers lets you spot anything early and sort it out, something that's not possible if you have covers in place.

[Verbout]

I think

I have removed all of my covers, I like to have a good look around under the bonnet every now and again for anything that may be amiss such as leaks, having removed the covers lets you spot anything early and sort it out, something that's not possible if you have covers in place.

I think in time I may do the same, just leaving the centre cover on.

[IS200D]

If you do plan on leaving the centre cover on, just make sure you don't take it to a Halfords autocentre with it on, as its the one they seem to have most trouble with - if mine was flung across the engine like a frisbee it could have been positioned better.

[Verbout]

If you do plan on leaving the centre cover on, just make sure you don't take it to a halfords autocentre with it on, as its the one they seem to have most trouble with - if mine was flung across the engine like a frisbee it could have been positioned better.

Halfords, I would not trust Halfords to empty my ash tray, oh, I don't smoke. I had four wheel alignment done by them on my alfa some years ago and I had to wrestled to keep it out of the gutter. And the excuse when I took it back, pfft.

If I do need to take mine to a well trusted independant I think I would remove the covers myself.

[stevet]

So that's what a Lexus looks like under the bonnet.

[Verbout]

So that's what a Lexus looks like under the bonnet.

[Mouser]

As well as sound insulation, it's also thermal insulation. If you go out shopping it keeps the engine and oil warm for longer, so when you come to drive home the engine isn't cold.

[Gramera flash]

Having removed all mine the sound is the same, with or without the covers, as for the thermal insulation, the sides and front panels are just plastic and would have little or no thermal quality, the centre piece would maybe have a small amount.

As for the covers in general, I think that all major motor manufacturers now use these covers and my opinion is that it's done to make under the bonnet seem mystical in some way,, you lift the bonnet and see all these covers and think to yourself,,I'd better take this back to the dealer to sort out.

And I reiterate my original point, if the covers are removed you have a chance of spotting something amiss with the car.

you pay your money and you take your choice.

[Verbout]

Having removed all mine the sound is the same, with or without the covers, as for the thermal insulation, the sides and front panels are just plastic and would have little or no thermal quality, the centre piece would maybe have a small amount.

As for the covers in general, I think that all major motor manufacturers now use these covers and my opinion is that it's done to make under the bonnet seem mystical in some way,, you lift the bonnet and see all these covers and think to yourself,,I'd better take this back to the dealer to sort out.

And I reiterate my original point, if the covers are removed you have a chance of spotting something amiss with the car.

you pay your money and you take your choice.

Agree.