Has anyone cut access ports in the front engine bay cover to get to the radiator and reservoir filler caps, eliminating the PITA of removing the cover every time?

 

I have seen that done.... I can't remember if here @ CL or elsewhere else

 

How often do you plan on messing with the cooling system?

 

I think they cover them to try and prevent someone from opening the cap while the engine is hot even though there are warnings.

 

Not that often, but it still would be nice to have access.

 

I see a 2" hole saw and 15 minutes booked in my near future Great idea - and not a bad idea to check more often on some of the high-mileage GX's like mine that have already had radiator replacement and valley plate re-seals (CPO, didn't pay a dime).

 

should be able to check from the side with a flashlight. if you do need to be adding more than say 2x a year then maybe look into fixing the issue. if not wanting to fix the issue then yeah hole saw time.

 

I'd like to see a solution to this also, horrible design. Coolant overflow and radiator cap should have easy access. It seems like I break a few of those push pins every time. I'd like a solution though that looked factory, not something all hacked up.

 

Remove the beauty panel toss it in the trash problem solved.

 

I'm thinking the images I saw were on a GX FB group and frankly search on FB is about as good a late 90's Yahoo or Alta Vista.

It was just appropriately size hole cuts above the recovery bottle and radiator cap.

 

dont do this. its not for looks, same as the engine cover and most other covers. these have purposes.

 

Engine bays without them somehow manage to have reliable engines. 100% cosmetic.

 

absolutely 100% incorrect.
certain covers are not to increase reliability of the item they cover, rather they protect downstream components.

 

haha okay.

 

The front cover acts as an air-flow director/damn - forcing all incoming air through the radiator (instead of up and around). I would not consider removing it even if it only made a few degrees of difference on hot days or whatever. Same with the plastic lower cover in front of the skid plate (with the 10mm bolts). It's your property - you are free to remove it - I won't

The main engine cover, however, I can't see doing anything but a little noise damping (and a very small amount at that) - and just being primarily a cosmetic thing. But I like the look of it - so it also stays