I hate having to remove engine covers to do work, and dealing with those clips. Is it okay to leave them off?

 

Your call. But i have noticed i felt way more heat from the hood without. And it also keeps any water from getting on top of the engine. If the drainage pans over flow from rain or a good car wash. The run off won't get all over the electronics on top. I just think it helps protect the whole engine.

 

I think you’ll be fine without them, I think they’re more for appearance and to keep the direct injectors “quiet”. That’s about it.

 

Like you, I prefer to leave the covers off for ease of inspecting and working in the engine bay area. For over 6 months now I've been running the car with all of the covers removed, except for the large silver one in the middle (mainly because it snaps on easily and I prefer the look than without it). Plenty of rain here in S. Florida, and I haven't had any issues with water. I believe the main purpose of the covers is for aesthetics, and that they are more of a hindrance for those of us that like to work on our own vehicles.

 

The center one is easy to remove, maybe I should keep it on there due to heat and the hood/paint longevity? I'm not hearing any different in sound with them all off. I'm on the fence then about the heat. On the one hand, it would be good to protect the hood from the engine heat, on the other hand, it would be good for the engine and the electronics for the heat to dissipate faster, but then again, they produced it like this so it can't be that bad to have the heat say in there......Geez, I can't decide.

 

I don't think its going to cause any issues.

 

It won't hurt anything as everything is weather sealed as far as the electrical connectors are concerned and the entire induction system is very well sealed and airtight past the MAF so water is really a non-issue unless you drive into a body deep enough to reach the intakes. It will likely allow more dust to accumulate and slightly lower sound absorption as negatives if any.

They are a pain to remove when you need to inspect or work since it does nothing but add time to a job.

 

I recall a case on some forum where a guy had been running his car without the plastic engine cover, and this had a detrimental effect on his bonnet liner. Apparently the engine cover, at least on that car, provides a bit of heat shielding.

 

I would expect that he hood is going to get hotter when engine is running. I wounder if the paint will start fading faster.

I believe, those covers together work as air flow deflector in addition to heat shield functionality. If driven on muddy or slushy roads, the mist will make its way deeper in the engine compartment covering everything in its way. I am not sure if it is a concern here though.

 

It takes less than 60 seconds to remove the covers so I can get to the air filters or whatnot. I don't understand what the OP gripe is about.

 

are the covers simply pull-able like the one on other cars?

 

Look at this video clip.

 

More than cosmetic - integral part of air flow management.

 

I found a mouse nest under mine recently - I had been away for week and the car was parked outside in a woody area & I couldn't tell if it happened there or at home.

This thread is a good reminder to pull mine and check again.

 

Got a nest in one of the engine air filter boxes. It seems that the wiring and insulation are intact.