I've been running without my engine cover for a few months now. I've never actually did a before and after so out of boredom today I drove around without it for 10 minutes and let it sit for 5 minutes. Outside temperature was a consistent 90 degrees. Without the cover on:



Put the cover back on, drove around for 10 minutes and let it sit for 5 minutes.






This is far from being scientific or super accurate to a degree but this just shows that engine cover traps a lot of heat but thats a 23 degree difference. Shoot..the P7 and SVR don't have covers. Not to mention..it weighs a friggin ton.

 

I ditched mine a year ago.

And the rear privacy cover.

And that little cubby hole cover.

 

Very interesting, WhiteTardis. I've been wondering about the purpose of the engine cover.

Question for you techies out there: Is there NO mechanical reason for the cover? Is is purely esthetic? (This assumes that it's better looking than the exposed engine.) Is it there to keep the engine cleaner? Can it be removed with NO harm to the engine?

 

Aesthetics. The Project7 and SVR do not have the engine covers.

 

I take mine off when I track. Otherwise, these hood vents let too much dirt into the engine bay to keep them off.

 

Those three alone are like 25lbs.

 

We noticed the excessive heat captured by that cover when last tuned and I have seen almost a 20 deg F IAT differential on the the data logger with vs without. I have left the cover off since that last tune. If it's dirt you are worried about, just use a pressure washer on the top of the engine (heat-x, actually)...when the engine is cool.

 

Took mine off a month ago. I happened to take it off right after a spirited drive on a 100 degree day. Was almost too hot to touch when I grabbed it. Was retaining tons of heat. Glad it's off and the cover is gracing my garage wall.

 

Since then, have you noticed any accumulation of dirt on the engine?

 

I pulled my cover off a couple of years ago; drilled out the hood vents and recently took off the plastic piece that's under the engine.

Dirt is not an issue and if it was.. wash it off.
Lawrence

 

Lawrence, I suspect the primary purpose of the under-panel is to reduce aerodynamic drag. That you may want to leave in place.

 

And it will dispate heat faster if you paint that aluminum cover Black.

Black is the Coolest color for an Overheating Engine

The plastic cover is purely for looks and valve train noise reduction. I'd leave it off and paint it Black with the proper paint.

 

I suspect that the paint would actually inhibit convective heat transfer across the top of the inter-cooler to a far greater extent than any additional radiant heat transfer
to the clear night sky (particularly if you don't remove the bonnet).

 

I wondered about that as well, however the XKR-S and I believe the SVR both do not have this under panel ... my info. came from a mechanic at my dealer who is in to racing and services a couple of XKR-S cars. He says they come from the factory like this.

I don't race myself so I suppose the aerodynamic issue is not too important, other than highway fuel mileage and I decided to go with the fact that Jaguar has left it off its high performance variants. I still have the panel so I could put it back on if necessary.
Lawrence.

 

You all have about convinced me to just remove mine then. Only thing I was worried about is water getting into the engine bay and possibly causing some kind of issue.

 

Everything is weather-tight under he bonnet. I've been able to pressure wash my engine compartments ever since weather-tight connectors were introduced in the '80s. Just stay a couple feet back with the wand so that you don't cut anything with the high pressure stream. (same goes for the the exterior to prevent damage to the paint and proximity sensors)

 

I've run my XFR without the engine cover for over a year now, through dust, rain etc (no snow!), and very little dust, dirt or water gets through the vents, and what does is very easy to clean up.

 

I'm thinking of removing mine; can't see how it does anything useful.....however, my one concern is that PERHAPS the cover shields the paint on the hood from the engine heat a bit; I had another vehicle that crazed the clearcoat when the hood insulation was removed. That said, like it's been mentioned the SVR and P7 don't have the cover and I've not heard of any paint issues so perhaps that's proof enough...

Dave

 

I dont have the f type yet, hopefully soon.

Is there any insulation under the hood? Will the engine heat plus the solar heat gain damage the paint on the hood if the engine cover is removed? I remember way back on the older cars, I can see a difference in how the paint held up with cars that has insulation and those without.

 

No hood insulation.