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Plastic engine cover...is it really needed?

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rcy

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I was wondering about the plastic engine cover. Aside from letting everyone know that it's a Honda and a 3.5 vtec, what purpose does it serve?

Just wondering because I noticed those guys in that video of the modded Odysseys (the One Lap vidoe I think) had them off.

Do you think much heat builds up under them?
 
#2 ·
I've removed mine a few times to look around and see how things "look". My guess is that it is not necessary for any sort of function other than protection. However, it does keep dirt from getting directly on the upper engine parts. I'd think you could remove yours with out any deletorious effects. I like the way it looks my self though.
 
#3 ·
I took out the middle section of the cover on my 2002, figuring that the top plenum could at least radiate more heat if it was removed.

I can see that maybe the cover acts as an air duct, directing cooling intake air to flow up, around and over the front and rear exhaust manifolds and thereby aids in cooling. Any thoughts?

It does protect the tubes, cables, electronics and sensors around the throttle body.
 
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#4 ·
NJODYNFL said:
From what I understand, it helps direct air flow for assisting in engine cooling, some engine noise attenuation and engine styling..I would not leave it off.
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Respectfully, is there any documentation on this?
 
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#5 ·
I asked this question directly to a Honda LPM (a head engineer who's a Lead Project Manager). The response was it's only cosmetic. In minus -40 degree weather it minimizes “frosting” during the egr cycle in the intake other than that it's just for looks.

I removed mine on both my Ody & Ridgeline as I like to see everything in case some rubber tubing is cracking, electrical connection popped off and so forth.
 
#7 ·
I wonder if it also aids in noise reduction...kind of like insulation?
 
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#8 ·
If you hold that cover in your hands it's fairly obvious it doesn't help with noise too much...at least not enough to notice.
 
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#9 · (Edited)
BenjiBoy168 said:
If you hold that cover in your hands it's fairly obvious it doesn't help with noise too much...at least not enough to notice.
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First of all, I have no idea if the cover was designed to help reduce sound levels or not.

That being said, one cannot tell the accoustical properties of an object by holding or looking at it .

My father is an acoustical engineer and through him I have learned that there are many different ways of reducing sound levels. Some of the "fixes" used to reduce sound levels in areas such as manufacturing plants and off-shore drilling rigs simply don't look like they could possibly work....but they do.

My father-in-law's book on accoustics is used a a textbook in many engineering schools, and his firm, Pelton/Marsh/Kinsella (PMK consultants) has done work on everything from churches to MGM studio rides and attractions. Seeing some of this "behind the scenes" work being done is really interesting.
 
#10 ·
Pezman1 said:
My father is an acoustical engineer and through him I have learned that there are many different ways of reducing sound levels. Some of the "fixes" used to reduce sound levels in areas such as manufacturing plants and off-shore drilling rigs simply don't look like they could possibly work....but they do.

My father-in-law's book on accoustics is used a a textbook in many engineering schools, and his firm, Pelton/Marsh/Kinsella (PMK consultants) has done work on everything from churches to MGM studio rides and attractions. Seeing some of this "behind the scenes" work being done is really interesting.
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Actually, I found this fascinating. Very cool.
 
#13 ·
Pezman1 said:
First of all, I have no idea if the cover was designed to help reduce sound levels or not.

That being said, one cannot tell the accoustical properties of an object by holding or looking at it .

My father is an acoustical engineer and through him I have learned that there are many different ways of reducing sound levels. Some of the "fixes" used to reduce sound levels in areas such as manufacturing plants and off-shore drilling rigs simply don't look like they could possibly work....but they do.

My father-in-law's book on accoustics is used a a textbook in many engineering schools, and his firm, Pelton/Marsh/Kinsella (PMK consultants) has done work on everything from churches to MGM studio rides and attractions. Seeing some of this "behind the scenes" work being done is really interesting.
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You should have your father, or father-in-law, post then.

Otherwise, I will continue to regard the hunk of plastic as strictly cosmetic.
 
#14 ·
quinch said:
You should have your father, or father-in-law, post then.

Otherwise, I will continue to regard the hunk of plastic as strictly cosmetic.
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Like, my post said: I have no idea if the plastic cover is designed to reduce sound levels at all. It was the very first sentence. My point was that you can't tell an object's accoustic properties by looking at it. I actually learned some stuff from my father-in-law.

I have no idea what your point was, other than to be rude.
 
#15 ·
quinch said:
You should have your father, or father-in-law, post then.

Otherwise, I will continue to regard the hunk of plastic as strictly cosmetic.
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You continue to prove that you are one of the biggest horse's rears this side of...anywhere!

:dammit:
 
#16 ·
Pezman1 said:
I have no idea what your point was, other than to be rude.
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You've nailed it exactly. His point was to be rude.
He's got quite a rep here. Every forum has got a jerk like that, evidently.
 
#18 ·
masterqi said:
You've nailed it exactly. His point was to be rude.
He's got quite a rep here. Every forum has got a jerk like that, evidently.
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This is got to be the funniest post on this forum. Especially when it comes from you............ :eek: LOL.......... If you got nothing better to post, don't post at all. I can hardly find any value added posts by you............. :rolleyes:
 
#19 ·
I pulled my covers off of my '03, and I did notice a slight difference in noise level. Whether it was in my head or not, I dunno. I just thought the engine noise was more pronounced with the cover off.
 
#20 ·
I believe they are there for noise reduction also.

It makes no sense that Honda would spend extra money to put something cosmetically especially when we look there every 5-7k miles anyway, right?
 
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