rocketcityw210

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!

kajtek1

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

illest

its just decoration

rocketcityw210

Thank you!

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.

nelbur

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."

Beverly Sharp

Precisely!

kajtek1

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"