Engine Cover Removal?

robotennis61 wrote:

DarkVader wrote:

Would taking off the cover damage/hurt anything?

i wouldnt do it man! it could cause the injectors to loosten and dislodge into the throttle body.which would lead to engine failure

You're kidding, right???

You shouldn't be fucking with newbies like that !!
Hell, the Alternator will last longer without the shroud...

Eldo wrote:

robotennis61 wrote:

DarkVader wrote:

Would taking off the cover damage/hurt anything?

i wouldnt do it man! it could cause the injectors to loosten and dislodge into the throttle body.which would lead to engine failure

You're kidding, right???

You shouldn't be fucking with newbies like that !!
Hell, the Alternator will last longer without the shroud...

yeah..maybe your right.but if you take the shroud off the cylinders might overheat and go Red Hot and get stuck to the bore,s.and then darkvader is S.O.L!

Gee, and to think that I used to tell people that you really were sane...

It is more than looks. It is also an acoustic damper for those that want less noise. I painted mine the same color as the body.

BillBoost37 wrote:

One possible benefit of taking it off, would be to remove the rear bracket it hooks into. By removing that you may find it much easier to access the rear plugs.

Yes, this happens to be the main reason that I removed the cover on mine.

Ash wrote:

BillBoost37 wrote:

One possible benefit of taking it off, would be to remove the rear bracket it hooks into. By removing that you may find it much easier to access the rear plugs.

Yes, this happens to be the main reason that I removed the cover on mine.

Mine didn't come with one and I could care less. Rather see the blower than a piece of plastic. However, Bill makes a good point. Definitely get rid of that bracket or else you will be scraping your wrists and arms on it while toiling with rear plugs.

Yeah. my engine cover is removed... It runs better, cause I know I've heard knocking, and thats all gone and I really don't care what my engine looks like, so it appeals to me greatly!

So, I thought this would be an easy first "mod"... right? Well you guys say it can only help but here is what I found. I took my cover off before going for a drive yesterday and this is what I noticed.
#1 my temperature was about 2 degrees over 200. Usually it rights on 200 but today it was just over the 200 mark.
#2 my, I dont know what you call it, black mat on top(or under) my hood. It says 'Riviera' on it, was SPOTLESS. After cruising I noticed singe marks! Call me crazy but they were NOT there before I took the engine/supercharger cover off!

charlieRobinson wrote:

So, I thought this would be an easy first "mod"... right? Well you guys say it can only help but here is what I found. I took my cover off before going for a drive yesterday and this is what I noticed.
#1 my temperature was about 2 degrees over 200. Usually it rights on 200 but today it was just over the 200 mark.
#2 my, I dont know what you call it, black mat on top(or under) my hood. It says 'Riviera' on it, was SPOTLESS. After cruising I noticed singe marks! Call me crazy but they were NOT there before I took the engine/supercharger cover off!

I can't say about the 2* "issue" because I run a 160* T-stat, but I can say that if your hood pad is contacting the engine, something is wrong. Is the hood pad hanging down? It shouldn't touch the engine at all....

Abaddon wrote:

charlieRobinson wrote:

So, I thought this would be an easy first "mod"... right? Well you guys say it can only help but here is what I found. I took my cover off before going for a drive yesterday and this is what I noticed.
#1 my temperature was about 2 degrees over 200. Usually it rights on 200 but today it was just over the 200 mark.
#2 my, I dont know what you call it, black mat on top(or under) my hood. It says 'Riviera' on it, was SPOTLESS. After cruising I noticed singe marks! Call me crazy but they were NOT there before I took the engine/supercharger cover off!

I can't say about the 2* "issue" because I run a 160* T-stat, but I can say that if your hood pad is contacting the engine, something is wrong. Is the hood pad hanging down? It shouldn't touch the engine at all....

I don't think they touch.. The hood pad looked pristine, no sagging that I saw. I put the cover back on the super charger just to be safe. Down the road I will remove it and polish/paint the beast. But for now it's not hurting anything being on there.

Charlie: I run with my cover ON and I think it looks quite nice if it's spruced up a little. However, I do not mod my engine for performance. If I was modding for performance I probably would not use it.

You can click on this link and scroll down for pics: https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t8342p45-dave-s-paint-project-update

Man, you have one of my favorite Rivieras on here! Love everything about it! You already know how much I like those wheels!

I like what you did with the cover too.

Thanks Charlie, you made my day.

Charlie, our normal coolant temp should be between 195 and 210ºF when warmed up, depending on ambient temperature conditions, and also on driving technique. For example, a steady cruise at 55 mph will lower temp slightly, while sitting idle for even 2 mins will raise the temp several degrees.

I doubt removing the cover was responsible for the increased temps. Could it be you measured coolant temp with the car stopped and idling? The singe marks on the cover may be impressions, or dirt, but I don't think the engine is hot enough to melt or burn any thing. Where are the marks? Can you take photos?

To remedy your concern, try installing a 180º t-stat ($10). You'll see temps as low as 180ºF, but still increasing when stopped idle. In fact you'll notice the change more easily because of the extended range (between 180-210 is possible).

I am a fan of the theory that the cover insulates the intake from the hot engine bay air, helping to keep the intake as cool as possible. But I do run without, and with a 180 tstat.

AA wrote:

I doubt removing the cover was responsible for the increased temps. Could it be you measured coolant temp with the car stopped and idling? The singe marks on the cover may be impressions, or dirt, but I don't think the engine is hot enough to melt or burn any thing. Where are the marks? Can you take photos?

It is highly likely that I am just crazy, but I swear these marks were not there before I took the cover off! Sorry for the quality of photos. I feel like I am trying to prove big foot to you guys. You know when you burn the hair on your arm and it curls up and looks singed? That's the same thing I saw here!

deekster_caddy wrote:

I am a fan of the theory that the cover insulates the intake from the hot engine bay air, helping to keep the intake as cool as possible. But I do run without, and with a 180 tstat.

Interesting... 180 tstat is on my list of things to do.

O.K., I know its an amateur question. but really I don't know how to take the engien cover off and I don't want to break any thing. I have a miss and do not yet have the cable to pull the codes. I figure it cant hurt to do new plugs and wires... but how the hell does that cover come off? Shes a 1995 non s/c

Never mind, A local Buick owner showed me how to remove it.

Couldn't find the answer doing a search. How does the engine cover come off a 98 Riv? The oil fill tube is holding it on. How do i remove that?

1. grab it.
2. twist off.

Thanks. But I really need specifics before I start ripping pieces of the engine apart. Is it a press fit neck that I need to just work free? Is it threaded? I've made too many mistakes with cars over the years by not knowing details befoe I begin and can't afford any more.

Thanks.

Undo oil cap, then treat the long fill neck the same way. It threads into the valve cover the same as a cap. Then lift cover off. Should have tabs in the rear so just easy does it.

That's better. Thank you.

And make sure no dirt or anything gets on it