V70: Engine plastic engine cover can you do without?

[canis]

I've been driving our V40 without the cover (or as I call it, "the stupid plastic bit") for a few years now with no ill effects at all. At first I was worried about the coils being exposed, but no problems.

You'd think manufacturers would be proud of their engines and want to show them off. I wonder if anybody has ever looked at the cover and declared "My word! What a fabulous looking piece of plastic!" By contrast, did anyone ever open their bonnet and say "My word! What a messy engine. I wonder why they don't cover it in plastic."

It's just a way of increasing workshop duration, adding to servicing expenses.

[tommyweaves]

Originally Posted by Sasha94

Not quite! eBay has them going from £40 upwards

Ebay, Pah! trot down the breakers yard, find the random bit of plastic you want and them wave a fiver. Done.

[green van man]

Originally Posted by tommyweaves

Ebay, Pah! trot down the breakers yard, find the random bit of plastic you want and them wave a fiver. Done.

Damb, wish I lived where breakers accepted a fiver for anything, all my local ones seem to have £20 minimum charge.

Often find new factor parts are very little more than breaker parts.

Paul.

[Sasha94]

Indeed!! I want to live where you live if you get engine covers for a fiver, buy loads and re sell on eBay

[Sysyphus]

Yeah... breakers know that only rich people drive Volvos

[Morgasmotron]

the problem ive had so far being way out west wales is that the mk 3 s are still scarce on the ground at the scrappys plenty of older ones about (way older) but as of yet havnt come across a magic source done a fair bit of ringing round mind as you do
if at first you don't succeed, persevere and try try again i guess
I will get one i think

thanks everyone for the chip in comment wise ta I value it
when your'e not a professionally trained mechanic you learn the hard way
and its good to know no minor things going to turn into major engine nightmare as a result of not having that cover in place. Something like nominal engine temp not being maintained properly on outer casing or distribution of engine bay cooling airflow interrupted by lack of part in place
( i do know its mostly all about coolant system rads etc that keeps the car from overheating not a piece of plastic )

[apersson850]

The early design had integrated bushings for the attachment of the cover. The bushing broke quite frequently. As you had to replace the whole cover, that consumed a lot of the used ones.

Nowadays, you can replace the bushing inside the cover, so there's not the same demand for covers any longer.

That it adds to service time is rubbish. It takes three seconds to remove.