Plastic Engine Covers

[ex vtskid]

What purpose do they serve apart from adding weight and making the engine bay look ugly? I am genuinely interested as to why they are there. Stop people poking around and get them into the dealers?

[E30M3SE]

What you have pictures there on the 6 is not a plastic engine cover but the air intakes for the engine.............

but I know what you mean.

However, if you look underneath a 'ugly plastic' engine cover the sight that will behold you will be even more fugly.

[amir_j]

aesthetic reasons. Otherwise would save the money and not do it

Edited by amir_j on Saturday 10th April 12:48

[EDLT]

Some can reduce engine noise too.

[The Black Flash]

I hate them. I've already got an engine cover, it's called "the bonnet". Let's see the gubbins.

[mackie1]

Probably for sound deadening and making the engine bar look tidier. Most engines aren't nice to look at. Mine sounds a bit thrashier with it off but also you get better cooling, maybe. The bits on the M6 engine at actually the plenum chambers which house the intake trumpets.

[stylo]

Maybe an extra bit of cushioning for a pedestrians head before he/she hits the engine block?

[CrashTD]

A cover with a torx screw usually puts tinkering beyond most people including those with a basic tool kit. Off to the stealers you go.

[Colonial]

Looks "better" apparently.

I've taken mine off.

[Leicesterdave]

Nomination for the worse engine bay covered with plastic??

RX8

[TheEnd]

There are quite a few like that, the idea is to hide as much of the scary stuff, and just have the oil filler cap and dipstick showing.
Mostly meant for women.

[bn9af]

manufacturers don't want average joe who buys the car to do anything with it other than check oil/fluid levels, so just steers temptation away.

[m30dus]

In the case of the M6 pictured.. they are no plastic covers but the air intake plenums, but I get the point.

Edited by m30dus on Saturday 10th April 16:09

[Twincam16]

Leicesterdave said:

Nomination for the worse engine bay covered with plastic??

RX8

Volkswagens, surely.

You know when you open the bonnet of a Matchbox car there'll be a flat, moulded-plastic vague representation of an engine in black plastic?

They stick a giant one of those over the whole engine.

[gib6933]

I also hate them! Its the fake intake bumps and lumps that hack me off!

Edited by gib6933 on Saturday 10th April 16:44

[Fruitcake]

CrashTD said:

A cover with a torx screw usually puts tinkering beyond most people including those with a basic tool kit. Off to the stealers you go.

This.

It won't be long until the car senses you having taken the cover off and pops up with an engine management warning light.

[Athlon]

Hmm, the M3 is a painted cam cover and intake

The M6 is intake ducting as said!

But to the point, modern engines are all wires and pipes and sensors and other junk and look pants, older engines looked a bit cleaner so I guess the cover is a cheap way of hiding all the junk!

[Zad]

Fruitcake said:

It won't be long until the car senses you having taken the cover off and pops up with an engine management warning light.

I fear you are right. Plastic trim/shrouds/whatever are often there to reduce noise and add pedestrian "cushioning" in case of a head/bonnet impact in order to meet legislation requirements. I can see the EU forcing the manufacturers to fit an interlock to stop the engine starting if it doesn't meet those regulations. They are already responsible for bonnets so high you can't see over them and A pillars so thick that they hide oncoming traffic.

[Rocksteadyeddie]

stylo said:

Maybe an extra bit of cushioning for a pedestrians head before he/she hits the engine block?

[ex vtskid]

Athlon said:

Hmm, the M3 is a painted cam cover and intake

The M6 is intake ducting as said!

Ha, yes the M3 engine was there as an example of a nice looking engine whilst the M6 engine is just a lump of black plastic to me!