engine shroud covers
05-17-11, 07:45 PM
#16
Pole Position
Thread Starter
I drove a couple of days without the side covers, no noticeable difference in wind noise. I decided to put them back on since the engine bay without the covers just looked ugly. I just have to make it a habit of checking the engine bay after any service before I leave. According to everyone's opinion, no harm with the heat retention and air flow. Thanks to everyone's replies.
05-30-11, 01:56 AM
#17
Rookie
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: AK
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Removing the covers should not have any impacts. As an example, the Lexus LX570 and Toyota Land Cruiser V8 have virtually the same engine bay. The LX has a cover, but the Land Cruiser does not.
06-10-11, 10:59 AM
#18
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just a heads up on the plastic clips that hold the engine cover on. I recent purchased a 2007 LS 460. While I was getting it smogged the tech and I started poking around under the hood. I grabbed one of the side plastic panels and it just about fell off in my hand. All of the plastic clips popped out and a couple fell into the engine compartment. So I started looking around and noticed I was missing a lot of the plastic clips and the ones that were on there were doing very little at holding the panels in place. The factory clips did not fit the holes as they should have, they were too small for the holes. I went to my local ACE Hardware and picked up a bunch of plastic automotive clips. They had all sorts of different kinds in different lengths and hole sizes. I found some great ones that hold all of my panels firmly in place. I picked about 10 extra ones to use as spares incase they brake or get lost. Let me know if you want me to post up a picture of the clips I purchased.
Last edited by Newps; 06-10-11 at 03:57 PM.
06-10-11, 02:22 PM
#19
Lexus Champion
Just a heads up on the plastic clips that hold the engine cover on. I recent purchased a 2007 LS 460. While I was getting it smogged the tech and I started poking around under the hood. I grabbed one of the side plastic panels and it just about fell off in my hand. All of the plastic clips popped out and a couple fell into the engine compartment. So I started looking around and noticed I was missing a lot of the plastic clips and the ones that were on there was doing very little at holding the panels in place. The factory clips did not fit the holes as they should have, they were too small for the holes. I went to my local ACE Hardware and picked up a bunch of plastic automotive clips. They had all sorts of different kinds in different lengths and hole sizes. I found some great ones that hold all of my panels firmly in place. I picked about 10 extra ones to use as spares incase they brake or get lost. Let me know if you want me to post up a picture of the clips I purchased.
06-10-11, 05:51 PM
#21
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Replacement Plastic Engine Shroud Clips
Attached are the ones I used. You can see how these have ribs that will lock down the plastic engine cover. I think they look better in the engine compartment too, they are just a bit cleaner then the stock ones.
06-12-11, 05:13 PM
#24
Lexus Champion
I don't think the clips are even designed or intended to last more than one or two times. The dealer should replace them when they service the car, since they charge an incidental material fee anyway. IMO.
06-13-11, 06:59 PM
#25
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Totally agree. If you check all the clips used on the engine covers, you'll probably find at least half of them are damaged.
06-13-11, 07:23 PM
#26
Lexus Champion
I just stopped by my dealership and ordered 10 of the clips at a cost of $0.99 each. Hard to believe they only had one in stock. They should have buckets full in the service area so they can be replaced when they service the vehicles.
Regardless, it's silly to have broken clips when you can fix the problem on this $70,000+ car for a buck or so. Just a shame that we have to do it ourselves.
Regardless, it's silly to have broken clips when you can fix the problem on this $70,000+ car for a buck or so. Just a shame that we have to do it ourselves.
06-14-11, 08:12 AM
#28
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just stopped by my dealership and ordered 10 of the clips at a cost of $0.99 each. Hard to believe they only had one in stock. They should have buckets full in the service area so they can be replaced when they service the vehicles.
Regardless, it's silly to have broken clips when you can fix the problem on this $70,000+ car for a buck or so. Just a shame that we have to do it ourselves.
Regardless, it's silly to have broken clips when you can fix the problem on this $70,000+ car for a buck or so. Just a shame that we have to do it ourselves.
06-14-11, 08:48 AM
#29
Lexus Champion
Report back on how well the (brand new) stock ones work. I can't see how these will be able to hold the plastic panels firmly in place. Maybe mine (the ones in the photos above) were not the factory ones. No way were these going to hold the panels in place, too small for the holes. With the ribbed ones I can pull up on the panels and they will not come off at all. I will have to use a flat head screw driver to pop them up enough until I can get them out with my fingers. Not that it's much money but the ribbed ones were .33 each.
But, the clip ends are easily broken off during removal. Consequently they can only be used until the ends break off.
06-17-11, 12:16 PM
#30
I've kept those covers off since day one
Interesting theory about pedestrian survival (I guess you're modeling a hit to Ironman if the person goes through the crumple zones, foam in the bumper, and metal hood to touch the top of the engine) but for me, personally, I've kept those side ones off for aesthetics and accesibility.
When its all covered up, it looks like an electric car, or a Mac, or something that only a branded technician can fix. To me all the plastic says "don't worry about the wizards and rodents in here, just enjoy."
I keep the side covers off to make it look a little more conventional.
And, with how much I replace the 9005 bulbs (until I find a formula that works) its just plain handy.
When its all covered up, it looks like an electric car, or a Mac, or something that only a branded technician can fix. To me all the plastic says "don't worry about the wizards and rodents in here, just enjoy."
I keep the side covers off to make it look a little more conventional.
And, with how much I replace the 9005 bulbs (until I find a formula that works) its just plain handy.
