I've got the '04 DI Rodeo. That engine has a plastic cover over the top. I've been running without it for about 4k miles.

Why is it there? Is it for looks? Is it for air flow (cooling) control?

I really don't want to put it back on (except, it's a great place to put tools), but I will if there's a reason.

looks. I've been running without mine for the past 4 years.

You sure it's not there for some sound deadening? I know on some vehicles they use that to "quieten" the engine down. Our 07 4Runner has a sound deadening mat under the plastic cover.

Richard <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Intereting idea. I hadn't thought about sound. It's just plastic, though. There's nothing under it.

Maybe dust or dirt??? I suppose it could keep larger chunks from collecting on the intake maniflod.

That's a streatch, though.

I've read where they put stuff like that on the engine to make it look less like an engine. I've read it's just for looks. I guess some people don't what (or care) to know where the power comes from.

You're thinking like an intelligent person.
Think like the average, car-buying obliviot.

They see all those wires, tubes, and lumpy things and get this tense feeling. Like they have no idea what it is, and they might be called upon to do so some day. This leaves them feeling a little uneasy.

They go to another vehicle, look under the hood, and it's simple, smooth plastic. No mysterious "engine thingy" to see. Just a simple, smooth plastic cover. "Look how simple it is! I understand this! Put gas in back here, don't worry about anything up here!"

Which vehicle do they buy?
Human factors engineering. It's a real degree.

I've had mine on or off. It's just a cover, not other purpose, as far as I can tell.

I assumed my engine cover was to keep excessive water from soaking the electronics that are located on top of the engine. Mine came loose because I lost a rubber insert that holds the plastic cover to the engine, but I reformed a new one using silicone gasket compound.

Pete

on less... utilitarian forums, people get picky about engine covers.. as in, if they have a 2001 model of some vehicle and the 2004 model has the same engine but comes with a cover... they fight over who's buying which cover for their engine, and paint them and show them off.
I genuinely don't understand that. the hood is the engine cover to me.

but then people buy tube bumpers that bolt over their existing factory bumper... a bumper bumper and a hood hood? great idea, now let me get some tires that go below my tires to keep my regular tires off the ground, and a windshield windshield to keep my regular windshield clean.

the possibilities for totally idiotic just-for-show redundancies are endless!!

How often are you driving with the hood open? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

If water did get kicked up from below, the cover would probably channel the water coming up so that it fell right on the electronics.

I'm not saying your wrong, just to me it doesn't make sense. Too bad Isuzu doesn't visit and could clear it up for us.

Too bad Isuzu isnt around period. Give me a deisel Dmax Pick up and watch me have fun......*cry* Darn it all to heck

Believe it or not, these exists and are quiet useful in a racing environment.

They are thin layers of removable film that are attached to the windshield.
When a car makes a run or comes in to pit, rather than water down the windshield and using a squeegee to remove the water, they simply pull in and pull a layer off to a nice
clean layer underneath.

We use them in drag racing and NASCAR uses them as well.