Author Topic: Safe to throw away engine cover?  (Read 1369 times)

daverobev

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Safe to throw away engine cover?
« on: July 31, 2019, 02:56:46 AM »
I have an older car, and the engine cover - plastic with foam - which sits on top of the engine is pretty cracked.

Obviously it was put there for a reason, presumably to keep heat from going into the bonnet/hood? Thing is, it doesn't sit quite right, doesn't clip in, and rubs on a couple of cables (which I have put electrical tape around to stop).

Can I chuck it away, or is my car going to catch fire if I do?

Something like


chemistk

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Re: Safe to throw away engine cover?
« Reply #1 on: July 31, 2019, 06:25:48 AM »
Absolutely - These covers do very little for insulation, you probably won't notice a difference. They aren't even meant to protect your engine from water or dust/dirt. In reality they serve two purposes: 1) a very minor amount of sound deadening (so you may hear a slight increase in engine noise) and 2) as a marketing tool to make the engine bay look cleaner to most consumers. Most people have no desire to work on their car and many would rather see a big piece of plastic with fancy labels/graphics than to see the relatively boring and somewhat ugly modern engine.

BussoV6

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Re: Safe to throw away engine cover?
« Reply #2 on: July 31, 2019, 06:45:56 AM »
Yeah, modern plastic overs are to keep the owners from pulling/fiddling with the bits underneath, and to hide the ugly-ass modern engines. It does look neater with it, so perhaps find a cheap second-hand cover when you want to sell.

HPstache

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Re: Safe to throw away engine cover?
« Reply #3 on: July 31, 2019, 08:19:58 AM »
Yeah, those things serve no real purpose.  Toss it if you want.

zolotiyeruki

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Re: Safe to throw away engine cover?
« Reply #4 on: July 31, 2019, 08:29:51 AM »
All above posters are correct.

I took the cover off our engine a long time ago, just because it only serves to get in the way.  When the day comes to sell it (if it isn't totally toast), I'll slap it back on.

daverobev

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Re: Safe to throw away engine cover?
« Reply #5 on: July 31, 2019, 09:50:06 AM »
Thanks all, will toss it.