I would like to inspect and clean the engine under the engine plastic cover. What is the proper way to remove this cover.

 

Just grab and lift. The cover has 4 holes on the underside that snap onto 4 pins sticking out of the top of the engine.

 

Thanks, it was so simple

 

When reinstalling the cover, check to ensure the hoses are properly aligned in each of their respective cut-outs to avoid pinching.

 

Leave it off.. heat..
Lawrence

 

Point taken, though I don't see the cover contributing to heat soak in any meaningful power-robbing way.

 

The master mechanic at my dealer suggested I remove it and leave it off as it captures heat in a sensitive area... his observation came from the fact that apparently Jaguar left if off (and also removed the undertray below the engine) on one of the highest performance models, right from the factory... I think it was the XKR-s but I'm not sure and they advised him it was for heat soak issues..
I did notice the sound of the blower is a bit more noticeable with it off, but not much.
Lawrence

 

Makes sense to keep restrictions in most any form to a minimum, especially if one is tracking. Yet, there is a fairly rapid build-up of heat in that 10-acre plenum, enough such that I question whether the plastic cover would contribute sufficient heat build-up to quantify a decrease in performance. I'll have to leave this one to the thermodynamically-inclined members here.

There have been countless forum threads out there about the engine covers, i. e., "to cover or not to cover." Eye candy and sound dampening are popular reasons for the covers' existence. I leave my cover on to keep contaminants off the plenum (dirt contributes to heat soak too) while sacrificing a little blower music.

 

+1.

About every 3rd car wash, I open the hood and wipe down the engine cover, which is usually fairly dirty. I'd rather keep the dirt and moisture which accumulates on the cover off the engine, and there are lots of nooks and crannies under there.

If you're running at or near redline all the time, there's probably a benefit to removing it, but on a street car, I think it's more beneficial to leave it on.