Bottom plastic tray - cooling
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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2013 glk 350
Bottom plastic tray - cooling
It’s summer and hot, heat is not good for the motor and plastics . I removed the plastic cover on top the motor to not trap heat. What about the bottom tray? Why keep it on in summer, it just traps heat! In winter or wet weather I can understand the benefit but not now in July.
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From: New Hampsha
'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster
Sometimes those covers are designed to facilitate airflow through the engine compartment by creating high or low pressure areas. Turbulence under the front of the car makes it harder for air in the engine compartment to get out.
I had Volvo XC90 with an NACA duct formed into the bottom cover right by the alternator. Removing the cover had the opposite effect of what you might expect.
I had Volvo XC90 with an NACA duct formed into the bottom cover right by the alternator. Removing the cover had the opposite effect of what you might expect.
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Sometimes those covers are designed to facilitate airflow through the engine compartment by creating high or low pressure areas. Turbulence under the front of the car makes it harder for air in the engine compartment to get out.
I had Volvo XC90 with an NACA duct formed into the bottom cover right by the alternator. Removing the cover had the opposite effect of what you might expect.
I had Volvo XC90 with an NACA duct formed into the bottom cover right by the alternator. Removing the cover had the opposite effect of what you might expect.
MBWorld God!
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It’s summer and hot, heat is not good for the motor and plastics . I removed the plastic cover on top the motor to not trap heat. What about the bottom tray? Why keep it on in summer, it just traps heat! In winter or wet weather I can understand the benefit but not now in July.
That said, the insulation may or may help with trapping noise (and heat like the engine cover) but it is also there to protect the paint of the hood from the engine heat. Removing the insulation might then burn the paint.
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Joined: Feb 2020
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From: Lac Ste. Marie, Quebec
2006 Alfa Romeo Brera, 2010 GLK350, 2018 BMW 640i GT, 1997 Subaru SVX, 2012 Moto Guzzi Norge GT8V
The car was designed with the covers. It's water cooled, not air cooled. Removing the engine cover is a very strange idea for sure. To each his own.
How about a hood scoop for air flow?
How about a hood scoop for air flow?
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From: South Texas
2014 GLK350 base model (active) ; 2001 E320 base (retired); 2001 Wrangler soft-top
Funny on the hood scoop!!
My most recent Honda motorcycles, a Gold Wing, ST1300 (actually had 2), and NC700, are ALL water cooled. And guess what - they are ALL ENCASED with plastic all around them. There's a reason for doing so ... directed air flow to move the HEAT out and away.
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A nekkid motorcycle is NO fun - believe me, been riding for 50 years, so been thru it all !
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Those "trays" are there for a REASON ... the owners manual doesn't suggest removing them. Personally, I would never consider removing them. Heck, my wife's 2001 E320 has them !!
Last edited by calder-cay; Jul 6, 2024 at 12:33 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,919
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From: New Hampsha
'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster
Well, mine are off right now... Still have a couple of things to get sorted, then they'll go back on. I just hope I can remember what I did with all the screws...
