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Lexus ES Basic Maintenance Questions

17 messages,  Last post on Dec 17, 2011 at 11:21 AM

You are in the Lexus ES Forum.

What is this discussion about? Lexus ES 300, Lexus ES 350, Auto Repair, Sedan

Messages Page 3 of 3

#13 of 17 ES350 Engine Compartment Covers by ghg

Jun 07, 2011 (2:01 pm)

I have a 2011 ES 350. Upon opening the hood I was surprised to see the extent of the various covers that conceal most of the under-hood equipment. Is there any functionality to those covers or are they merely cosmetic? What is the downside, if any, to removing them permanently?
Thanks,
GHG

#14 of 17 Re: ES350 Engine Compartment Covers [ghg] by assetcorp

Jun 07, 2011 (2:14 pm)

Replying to: ghg (Jun 07, 2011 2:01 pm)
I have found the covers to be purely cosmetic, and actually quite a nuisance, for simple repairs such as replacing an air filter. In my 2007 ES 350 the plastic covers are secured by plastic knobs that just break off, when attempting to remove them, creating another nuisance. I can't imagine the covers serve any functional purpose, as most vehicles lack them.
DH

#15 of 17 Re: ES350 Engine Compartment Covers [ghg] by therealjab

Jul 01, 2011 (11:57 am)

Replying to: ghg (Jun 07, 2011 2:01 pm)
ghg,
 
The cylinder head covers on the ES350 serve two purposes: 1) The cover actually reduces certain engine vibrations from entering the cabin 2) cosmetically cleans up the engine bay
 
You may remove the cover and not experience an increase in cabin vibrations. All you have to do in order to remove the cover is to remove the one bolt that holds the cover onto the cylinder head (see ref #90480 in the engine cover diagram) and the cover should pop off.

#16 of 17 Re: ES350 Engine Compartment Covers [ghg] by rcummelin

Dec 16, 2011 (6:43 am)

Replying to: ghg (Jun 07, 2011 2:01 pm)
Given that the ES350 drive train is Toyota Camry, and the V6 Camry has none of these covers in the engine compartment, I can only assume they are cosmetic--just a differentiator for Lexus. I can't see any downside to removing them, but be sure to save them so you can reinstall them before you sell/trade the car.
 
Yes, those little clips that hold them in place are annoying--if you drop one, it's lost forever in the lower engine compartment. You can buy them at Lexus or Toyota dealers for about $1.25 each. One of these days I'm going to remove that lower engine compartment shield/panel just to see how much junk has accumulated there.

#17 of 17 Re: Lexus es300/2000 fluids [frank944] by wwest

Dec 17, 2011 (11:21 am)

Replying to: frank944 (Oct 26, 2008 3:41 pm)
All very typical (st,d)ealer RIP-OFF items.

Messages Page 3 of 3

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