Driving without the upper engine cover

May 30, 2016 | 04:26 PM

rocketcityw210

Thread Starter

Newbie

Joined: Mar 2016

Posts: 11

Likes: 0

2001 MB E320, 1995 BMW 525 IT

Driving without the upper engine cover

Hi! I just took off the upper engine cover to repaint the Mercedes-Benz letters.
Is it okay to drive it without that cover on? It is a 2001 e320.
Thank you so much in advance for your reply!

May 30, 2016 | 05:26 PM

kajtek1

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 9,225

Likes: 1,798

From: V E G A S

1922 Ford Model T / no OBD

Have been driving with no engine covers of 30 years before I got one

May 31, 2016 | 10:28 AM

illest

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 1,224

Likes: 96

From: MD

w210 AMG or S213

its just decoration

Jun 1, 2016 | 11:11 AM

rocketcityw210

Thread Starter

Newbie

Joined: Mar 2016

Posts: 11

Likes: 0

2001 MB E320, 1995 BMW 525 IT

Thank you!

Jun 1, 2016 | 11:40 AM

kajtek1

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 9,225

Likes: 1,798

From: V E G A S

1922 Ford Model T / no OBD

It is more than just decoration.
It lowers the noise, adjust air flow in engine bay and actually on our 2004 car, the 320 engine has air filters build into the cover.

Jun 1, 2016 | 01:36 PM

nelbur

Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 301

Likes: 23

1997 E300D

Quote:

Originally Posted by kajtek1

It is more than just decoration.
It lowers the noise, adjust air flow in engine bay and actually on our 2004 car, the 320 engine has air filters build into the cover.

You forgot it's most important function. It's an "intimidation cover", designed to have a person look at the engine and say, "I don't recognize anything here, so I guess I had better take it to the dealer for service."

Jun 1, 2016 | 02:34 PM

Beverly Sharp

Member

Joined: Oct 2013

Posts: 114

Likes: 2

E430

cover

Precisely!

Trending Topics

Jun 1, 2016 | 03:43 PM

kajtek1

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 9,225

Likes: 1,798

From: V E G A S

1922 Ford Model T / no OBD

Quote:

Originally Posted by nelbur

For how many car owners looking at the engine without cover makes it easier to recognize parts?
I have degree in mechanics and even I don't work as one, I keep in touch with technology keeping family and business fleet in driving condition.
Still when I approach engine that I am not familiar with, it takes me some time to figure out what I am looking at.
The covers are also having negative side.
On 320 cdi engine, beside big cover, you can find smaller one that covers injectors with sound-dampening foam.
So when injector seal leaks, it melts the foam - creating "black death"