Table of Contents
Why Do You Need Engine Covers?
If you open the bonnet of your vehicle and look into the engine compartment, you might see several engine components, various lines, and a network of wires. This is often unsightly and some cars today feature an engine cover that hides all these parts to offer a better underhood appearance. Unlike old vehicles that used to bear the manufacturer’s badge on the camshaft covers, newer vehicles today feature engine covers that not only serve aesthetic purposes but are functional as well. Let’s dive deeper into the article to understand what engine covers are and if they are necessary.
In this article:
1. What Is An Engine Cover and What Are They For?
2. Are Engine Covers Necessary?
3. What Are Engine Covers Made Of?
4. Can I Drive Without An Engine Cover?
5. What Is An Engine Splash Shield?
- How Important is a Splash Shield?
1 What Is An Engine Cover and What Are They For?
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The engine cover is a plastic component that covers the engine compartment under the hood of a vehicle. Engine covers serve a cosmetic purpose and offer a clean appearance by hiding the complex engine wiring and components situated in the engine bay. Some engine covers also protect the car owner from moving parts, such as rotating drive belts and pulleys, while performing vehicle maintenance. Apart from aesthetic functions, engine covers also help in improving the engine bay acoustics by dampening the noise generated by the engine. Some multifunctional engine covers are equipped with heat reflective shields and sound dampening materials, which help in cutting down the noise and prevent it from entering the passenger compartment. These linings on the inside of the engine cover help in acoustic and thermal management and are very useful in high compression engines, which create more noise.
2 Are Engine Covers Necessary?
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Engine covers serve a lot of functions. They help in improving the underhood aesthetics of your vehicle. These covers can be found on most cars today with the manufacturer’s badge or the technology used in the engines. Made from plastic, these engine covers are decent insulators of sound and make the car a little quieter. They also protect from other elements like dust, sand, and water and prevent them from entering every nook and cranny of the engine, like the fuel injectors or the air intake. In some vehicles, they are also designed to hold wires and other lines and prevent them from rattling.
3 What Are Engine Covers Made Of?
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The place beneath the hood of an automobile is very harsh and with constant high temperatures and constant vibrations, a lot of stress is generated in parts located in the engine bay. Exposed to elements like oil, grease, transmission fluid, brake fluid, water, road salt, and dust, these parts have to be wear-resistant to withstand tough conditions. Traditionally, using any other material than metal in the engine bay was unthinkable. However, with changing trends and developments, automobile manufacturers have started using plastics such as nylon, polyphenylene, and polypropylene for reduced weight, corrosion-resistant characteristics, and low production costs. As a result, it’s no longer unusual to see plastic air intakes, valve covers, fluid reservoirs, and engine covers as well.
4 Can I Drive Without An Engine Cover?
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You can drive your car without an engine cover, but over a long time, it may damage electronics or invite a rat infestation, causing driveability problems. With the advanced electronics and sensors used in modern cars today, it’s recommended to avoid risks by driving around without an engine cover. Other than accessing the engine or getting a better look at it, there’s no reason to remove these covers, as they do not add much weight and serve an important function.
5 What Is An Engine Splash Shield?
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A car’s engine splash shield is also known as the lower engine cover or the skid plate. It is a rigid panel secured right below the engine bay and is designed to protect parts like the oil pan and the transmission from road debris, water, rocks, and other elements. An engine splash shield is constantly exposed to harsher conditions compared to an engine cover. Therefore, they are usually made from tough fiberglass plastic, aluminum, or steel. Metal engine splash shields last long, are durable and protect your engine and vulnerable parts from impacts. Engine splash shields are a must for off-road enthusiasts because rough terrains can cause damage to the unprotected undersides of your vehicle.
With a combination of the engine cover and splash shield, the engine is better protected from the elements which reduces the need to clean and upkeep the engine as often. Engine covers and splash shields are essential parts of your vehicle. In the long run, you might end up spending more time, money and carrying out repairs if you drive around without these components. Replacing your engine, oil pan, or transmission is more expensive than replacing your engine covers. Therefore, it is prudent to replace or keep your car equipped with engine covers to future-proof your vehicle from unforeseen accidents.
How Important is a Splash Shield?
An engine splash shield, also known as a skid plate or engine splash guard, is a panel located below the engine that keeps the motor safe from dangers on the road. It is designed to protect your car’s engine from debris and water, and catch leaking fluids from your engine compartment. With the engine splash shield in place, rocks, dust, water, and debris have less of an effect on the engine. The shield also helps to maintain the proper functioning of the engine and its components by blocking elements such as water, mud, rocks, and other debris from being thrown up into the engine area while driving. In summary, an engine splash shield plays a very important role in protecting your car’s engine and its components from damage caused by road debris and water.