Have had my 2012 XF for a week and while wiping down the engine bay after a wash and wax session I got curious and removed the engine cover. After a few mintes of looking at plastic intake runners and valve covers I decided to replace the cover. While I eventually got it back on, it was a royal PITA due to tight space between the fire wall and the top of the engine. I bet I fumbled with it for 20 minutes before it got it back on. Anyone know the trick to getting the cover back on before your coffee gets cold ?

 

My engine cover just sits on top of the engine and is only fixed at the rear - it just flaps about. I can't see any sign of fixings etc. at the front...

 

Unless it's a 5 L V8 engine I can't be sure about how it's attached but I can explain how mine is attached which might help if they are the same. The cover has 2 formed "U" shapped cutouts on the back which fit into rubber lined posts on / near the firewall. The front mounts are rubber lined donuts that slide into receiving slots on the cover. They fit over 2 metal posts with ball shaped ends and hold the front of the cover in place. When the cover is removed the rubber gromets tend to stick to the posts and need to be pulled off and re-inserted into the cover before it's replaced. If your cover has been removed it's possible the donuts where never pulled off the posts and put back into the retaining slots on the cover. You can not re-attach the cover without putting them back into the retaining slots first.

 

I agree - replacing this was a real pain. The rear of the cover points downward and catches on several components at the rear of the engine before it can reach the two round rubber grommets that secure the rear of the cover. I used a yard stick to push the lip upward enough to clear the obstructions and finally got it work. I wonder if there is a better procedure or a special tool.