Is An Engine Cover (VW Tsi) Beneficial?

[sohccammer427]

Just performed an OC on my 2021 Jetta Tsi 1.4 and noticed the plastic engine cover is missing? I don't remember taking it off in the past. Did not see it in my shop?

I did have the vehicle at the dealer a few months back for a ecm flash and can't imagine them needing to remove it?

Anyhow, do those plastic engine covers have any benefits? Should I try to get a replacement one of just roll with it like it is?

 

[JoelB]

Your pictures are of 2 different engines. Are you 100% sure it always had one?

 

[atikovi]

Contact the parts department with the VIN and ask if it came with an engine cover. Some lower end models don't get one to save on costs, but if you can add one on, I would. Looks much cleaner with the cover.

 

[sohccammer427]

Your pictures are of 2 different engines. Are you 100% sure it always had one?

Pics are just representative from the internet.

Good question. I only assume I did because there are the mounting points/grommets that are there. I guess it is possible I never had one on there?

Does a 2021 Jetta come with one?

 

[RooflessVW]

Your car never had one.

Is it beneficial? It must be, in some aspect, otherwise they wouldn't exist.

 

[HankHill]

They don't do anything other than dress up the engine bay. I've removed 5 so far, when performing mait. on the vehicles. IMHO its just another good spot for animals to nest and store acorns, etc.

 

[ragtoplvr]

Benefits

1. Less engine noise
2. Better engine appearance (subjective)
Cons
1. Will retain engine heat a little better.
2. Slight increase in weight.

So I personally would not lose a minutes sleep.
Except I hate it when a service does not replace MY covers and shields. So I will complain if I know that they did it. I made ford fetch the belly pan parts out of the trash after a complementary oil change. They were not amused which is fair, as I was not amused either.

Rod

 

[sohccammer427]

Just called the dealer and they said I was good to go. Parts guy was not even sure the 1.4's even ever had them. Just the 2.0's

Either way he said no harm in removing them. Purely for aesthetics.

 

[Bud_One]

Jump to 8:31 , there is no plastic cover.

 

[Wylie6G72]

They keep a lot of debris out of the valve cover valley, and they muffle D.I. injector noise. They also make the engine look nicer, since car makers stopped making 'pretty' engines and just cover them instead.

 

[MasterSolenoid]

When I bought my 2021 Ford Escape, I noticed two things.
1) Engine compartment gets very hot after shut-down
2) Engine Cover was missing

Went back to the Dealership and was told by the Mechanic, "don't come with one"
Another employee mentioned it may "hold in the heat".

Although I'd like a Cover to keep the engine cleaner, I like to dissipate the heat as soon as possible.

 

[sohccammer427]

Your car never had one.

Is it beneficial? It must be, in some aspect, otherwise they wouldn't exist.

Thanks. The mounting points threw me off. I had looked everywhere for it. lol

Even when I searched online all I saw was fitment for the 2.0l

 

[atikovi]

and they muffle D.I. injector noise.

Next post by OP. I've noticed my engine makes this ticking noise. Is that normal?

 

[RooflessVW]

They keep a lot of debris out of the valve cover valley, and they muffle D.I. injector noise. They also make the engine look nicer, since car makers stopped making 'pretty' engines and just cover them instead.

Dress-up parts have existed almost as long as engines have. Can't think of many "pretty" OEM engine bays. At least not on your typical car. Hoses, wiring, and crap has always been run everywhere.

 

[atikovi]

Can't think of many "pretty" OEM engine bays.

This is pretty nice.

 

[JHZR2]

Is there a thermal blanket on the underside of the hood? Id assume the cover would serve that function as an alternate to a hood pad.

 

[Passport1]

I bet with a bit of engineering you could get one of these babies to fit on top of your 1.4

 

[RooflessVW]

This is pretty nice.

View attachment 74908

... because of the covers.

 

[AZjeff]

IMHO its just another good spot for animals to nest and store acorns, etc.

After a mouse decided to chew on the coil pack wires under the cover of our RAV4 it came off and hung on the wall until we sold it. I'd rather look at engine parts than a piece of black plastic anyway. Less retained heat and a bit more noise don't bother me a bit.

 

[Shel_B]

They don't do anything other than dress up the engine bay.

I've read, from more than one source, that at least some are designed to hold heat in the engine and others to suppress noise.