Removal Of Engine Cover
 

I got a little nuts doing some engine detailing today. I was just goin to check the oil, saw a few dirty spots, grabbed the Simple Green and then 3 hours later the engine looks pretty good. A few more hours next weekend should do it! (Need to get the tools out and remove some parts to really get her clean!)

While I was doing this I removed the engine cover. I was surprised to see sound deadening underneath the cover. I checked www.Realoem.com to see what the cover is called and sure enough it is the "Sound Protection Cap".

Does anyone out there run their X5 without this engine cover. It doesn't look bad at all without it!! I need to do a longer test drive but I think I heard a bit more engine noise. Which, to me, is a good thing! I suppose the engine would be a little bit cooler without that cap holding in engine heat.

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...22&hg=11&fg=55

Great to see someone else who cleans under the hood - been cleaning some metal pipes and clips today with wet and dry - P1200.

How about some pics of your hard work.

Haven't had the cover off - been toying about it for a couple of weeks to have a wipe around and check condition of pipes etc. You have made me more curious. I have also considered removing bits & even considered buying a small dremel or other electric tool to get into those awkward spaces like the silver metal bracket on the inside of the left turret and oposite the block.

Personally even if I got mine spotless under there I would always have the cover in situ as it looks tidy and for me a quiet ride is preferable but heh whatever makes you happy it's your car and I can see why you'd want to see the fruits of your efforts. :)

I agree the engine cover gives the engine a really claean look. With it off the engine looks a bit "raw". I kind of like that look.

I comes off in about 30 seconds. If you detail underhood I would definitely remove it! The allen bolts up top are just locks and not true bolts. A 90 degree turn will get them off.

I will post some pics after next weekend. I have a lot more cleaning to do before a photo shoot!!

Sounds like an interesting project - how about some before (or midway?) and after pics instead of waiting 'till you're all done?

I left the cover off after I replaced the melted crank case vent hoses.

I had cover off last night and gave it a good clean as well as surrounding area it sits on. Plenty to keep me busy detialing though. There is a large textured rubber cover that seems to house 2 other cables /leads/pipes. This runs from side to side 2/3 back from the front of the block and is near white. Was wondering what is best to clean white stained black rubber under the cover bearing in mind the heat factor.

No signs of melted hoses on my 60k mile 4.4is. I found two hoses at the rear which run across the top of the block area & seem 100% intact and assumed these were the infamous M62B44 engine crank vent hoses which I will keep an eye on together with gaskets- all seems nice and dry at moment. Maybe I'll try and find a pic somewhere to make sure I'm checking thre right ones.

Here is a picture of Pahse I of the engine detailing. I need another day or two under the hood to get it to look really good!

The second pic is what it looks like without the engine cover. I need to remove the bracket that held the cover on. Then I will clean everything really well. See if I can't bring the rubber bits back to life!

Looks like fun! You may want to try Aerospace 303 to bring the rubber back to life - best stuff out there in my opinion! http://www.ocdgarage.com/poorboys.html

cover
 

I run/test my X5 w/out that cover for Dinan S2 for 2 month no effect.

Wow, under all that plastic there is a motor :)