Plastic engine cover function?
 

A New Years Day detailing under hood of my '11 XKR raised a question. Does the plastic manifold / engine cover serve any purpose other than decorative? It has some form of insulation or sound proofing material (as I am sure most of you know) on the underside. That said, logic would indicate that it would also serve to retain heat and that seems counter to what you would want - especially directly above the supercharger.

So would anyone have a POV on "leaving it in the cabinet vs. leaving on the engine" question I now find myself pondering?

I took mine off. The engine sounds great without it. I think it's mostly decorative. However, I think it might help direct water from the supercharged hood vents on XKR models.

I think it's a decorative way of putting a little soundproofing under the hood. The 2010 got a different supercharger which was quieter then the 4.2 SC but it appears they wanted a little more foam to keep it quiet. That's my thoughts.

Aesthetics.

Take the engine cover to a whole new level. Make it look "COOL!"

Here's what I did to my cover......other Forum owners have followed suit since.

The cover is Hydrographic printed....I know there are many Hydrographic Water Transfer Printers in California.

There is a vast amount of different patterns that you can use to create a design that no one else has.

+1 amcdonal86 ... "direct water from the supercharged hood vents on XKR models." and
+1 richzak ... "Take the engine cover to a whole new level." I followed richzak's lead and had my engine appearance cover hydrographic coated in carbon fiber and also had the "supercharged" letters painted red and added the leaper logo. Note that the MSRP for the OEM real carbon fiber engine appearance cover on the XKR-S is $2,050 See: 2012 Jaguar XKR-S Parts - Direct JPLV Porsche Parts.com Mine cost $185. For details, see: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-cover-129949/

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge it.

Stuart

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...29d8288018.jpg


does anyone know the part number for this screw clips circled in yellow. Several are missing on my used vehicle just purchased and I would like to order some replacements. . any help is much appreciated.

ClipsAndFasteners.com - Automotive Retainers,Clips and Fasteners

Ordered a box not to long ago for my 2009. They are exact match.

That looks great Rich!

I had some missing (like you) and in conjunction with the last oil change I had done at my Jaguar Dealer I asked if they would replace - which they did at no charge.

I've just ordered some of those clips from this guy:

Ford, Radiator Sight Shield Push-Type Retainer, Black Nylon. Head Diameter 24.5m Auto Body Clips

Could be useful if you're in CA and don't want to pay the sales tax you'll get hit with when ordering from ClipsAndFasteners

I'm awaiting delivery this coming week, of my newly decorated main engine cover, and each removable side covers. I had all three coated in the carbon fiber pattern using the hydrographic process. I'm thinking it should look pretty KOOL. Yeah, I purchase a box of those cover locks...just in case.
Happy Trails.....

Ken...be sure to post some pictures.

You are darn toot'n Rich!
Happy Trails....

To answer this threads' question, it's to muffle the cool sound of the supercharger and hide and awesome looking engine!

Here's what I did...
Attachment 155879
Covers up all the ugly hoses in the front and exposes all the cool stuff!

Hey Guys,
Received my covers. Have been thinking of adding one of those red leaper badges in the center of the main cover near the front. Not yet convinced, though.
I'll install them this weekend.
Happy Trails.....

Nice......looking forward to seeing these under the bonnett. Shoot us some pics.

You guys have done a great job with these covers. The hydrographics really dress the bay up.

As everyone else has mentioned, the cover just baffles noise from the engine and certainly doesn't help with heat dissipation.

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Looks first class.

Any need to put a clear coat on the hydrographic finish or in your estimation is the product up to the task of surviving under hood?

Have you said who did the hydrographics and how much?

Did you need to remove the foam underneath center engine cover prior to having this done?

Any other prep?

RedRider can advise as to your questions on his work that was completed, but here's a basic overview of the hydrographic process.

The item needs to be throughly cleaned to remove any silicons or oil based material that might be on the item to be hydrographically dipped. If it is not cleaned by the owner, the hydrographics shop will charge a small fee to clean it before dipping into the water vat.

The end product is "clear coated" by the processor of the hydro dip.

As for myself and one or two others I used CoolCoatz located in a suburb of Atlanta, GA.

http://www.coolcoatz.com/

You can google the name and photos of my cover is on their website. I shipped the cover UPS, and it was returned to me in less than 10 days, UPS.

There was no need to remove the foam underside of the cover. As for pricing, I paid $185.00 total shipped back to me.

This technology is rapidly growing and many auto buffs are now finding out about the process. I am sure that there is a hydrographic printer somewhere in your area. They are emerging all over the USA. In fact, yo can now buy a kit to complete your own hydrographic water transfer. This process just takes allot of practice and you to have good materials and equipment to work with, especially rinsing the water transfer and clear coating the item.

There are numerous applications for this process, including doing wheels and interior parts of the car.

Here's a few photos of my cover installed on my 2009 Jaguar XKR Portfolio Edition Convertible.