I have an 06 Prius. For a long time I've wondered why there is a black plastic cover in the front of the engine compartment, just above the radiator. It's held down loosely by six "screws", actually plastic fasteners with phillips head and sort of a molly screw type of thing in the "threaded" part. After a year of wondering, my curiosity got the best of me and today I removed the six fasteners and took off this plastic cover: I couldn't really see what difference it makes, and so remain mystified. Can anyone tell me what its purpose is? And do the 2007 and 2008 also have such a cover? By the way, in refastening the cover, I broke three of the six fasteners! Perhaps my technique was faulty, but I found it very difficult to get them through the hole without breaking the "molly" screw aspect of the fastener. I was able to fasten those three missing holes by cutting up and using an old earphone cord I didn't need. the cord holds it down ok and it is black so it even matches the cover. I looked for replacement fasteners in Advance Auto, but none looked like they would fit, so I guess I' ll stay with my makeshift fastener.
On all of my GM cars it was to help direct airflow from the grille through the radiator. I'm not sure about the Prius but It may play a part of it is for asthetics.
Instructions for the proper removal method are included in the Owners Manual under headlight replacement. You can get replacement fastners from any Toyota dealer. The manual just calls it a cover, no clue as to the real reason for its being there.
My 2007 has the cover as well. I think we can safely presume that the 2008 has it too. I had to remove the cover recently when I upgraded my OEM halogen headlight bulbs to Philips X-Treme Power halogens (which btw are 80% brighter than the OEMs ... fantastic). Those screws are odd ... they don't really tighten ... they kinda lie loosely in the hole with the "molly" or anchor part keeping the screw from popping out.
Took mine off 3 years ago to install my first grill blocker...never put it back on...think I have the fasteners floating around on my bedside table somewhere. Can't see that it's there for any but aesthetic reasons...so it looks 'purty' when you open the hood.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Nov 18 2007, 08:52 PM) [snapback]541367[/snapback]</div> is that in front of the cadaborator near the warp drive next to the muffler bearings?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lefat1 @ Nov 18 2007, 09:24 PM) [snapback]541383[/snapback]</div> Watch it, or this thread is going to turn out like this.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Doc Willie @ Nov 18 2007, 09:49 PM) [snapback]541392[/snapback]</div> ok you win, but, wait...what is the correct response to "rotate the pod please hal"?
The cover is there to force the air entering the front grills through the rad into the engine compartment. If you remove it some air will flow over the top of the rad assembly. The fans will then run more often.
I don't think it's an airflow thing specifically, but it's probably more useful for preventing dirt entry a little more. The rubber gasket across the front of the hood comes down on it, possibly making a better seal and keeping grit off the engine. I ran around without mine for a long time too, and once I put it back in I noticed that less sand tends to accumulate on top of the valve cover around the ignitors over time. . _H*
i think its designed to get in the way of replacing the HID bulbs so toyota just doesn't kill anyone through an industrial repair accident
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lefat1 @ Nov 18 2007, 08:33 PM) [snapback]541403[/snapback]</div> "I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that." Click to hear HAL 9000
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Beale @ Nov 18 2007, 11:40 PM) [snapback]541422[/snapback]</div> What fans runs more often?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Nov 18 2007, 06:16 PM) [snapback]541377[/snapback]</div> Now why on earth do you keep the fasteners there? - It is generally accepted that mechanical work on a car is done in the garage , not the bedroom
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(KTPhil @ Nov 19 2007, 10:47 PM) [snapback]541790[/snapback]</div> Wrong. The correct response is to rotate the pod (and download the lip-reading subroutine). This response is for "Open the pod bay doors, HAL."
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(The Annoying One @ Nov 21 2007, 12:55 PM) [snapback]542485[/snapback]</div> there are all kinds of car parts all over our house, even in the bedroom. stuff came home with DH and made it to the bedroom where he changed into regular clothes.
A place to lay tools and the manual. Stops you dropping tools and parts into the abys. Looks pretty. Directs cooling air.
