View Poll Results: Do you keep your engine cover on?
On - because I don't mind taking it on/off for checking/putting oil
57
81.43%
Off - it looks better on my wall. Or: somebody stole it from one of those quickie oil change
9
12.86%
On and Off - for track days, for different seasons
4
5.71%
Voters: 70. You may not vote on this poll
Do you guys keep your engine cover on?
11-01-2006, 05:19 PM
#30
the WANKEL made me do it
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Pittsburgh
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I think it's only for cosmetic reasons. As for cooling reasons, I think it makes the engine hotter. My cooling fans would always run when I shut my car off on the hot summer days with the cover on. Took it off and have only heard those fans a few thimes since.
11-01-2006, 06:07 PM
#31
Former Owner
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Miami, Florida
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Ive kept mine off ever since I bought a vented hood... and with it off you can see heat waves rising out of the vents. No doubt my engine bay temps are much lower.
11-01-2006, 06:39 PM
#32
I don't "smell good".
Join Date: Dec 2001
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I keep mine on. Infact any underhood mods are done with the cover in mind. I installed my catchcan in a place making sure I could keep the cover on. It just looks cleaner when the hood is popped. Granted rarely does anyone see it, but I still prefer to have it on.
11-01-2006, 08:55 PM
#34
11-01-2006, 09:12 PM
#36
I don't "smell good".
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Originally Posted by User24
Doesn't the cover protect against dust, dirt, and rain? I thought it was a dust cover, which is why I keep it on. But if it is not, then I'll have to re-evaluate.
11-01-2006, 09:25 PM
#37
Club Marbles Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: DFW, TX
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Originally Posted by SoFL_RX8
Ive kept mine off ever since I bought a vented hood... and with it off you can see heat waves rising out of the vents.
11-01-2006, 09:26 PM
#38
Club Marbles Member
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Originally Posted by supergoat
Not really a dust cover. I took mine off today as I was doing some stuff and there was a lot of dirt and such on the engine.
11-01-2006, 09:31 PM
#39
The Professor
Originally Posted by Raptor2k
Speaking of dirty engines...what's a good way to clean up the engine bay? Is spraying water a good idea?
11-01-2006, 09:32 PM
#40
Fresh Meat
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: MCAS Miramar in CA
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Originally Posted by Raptor2k
Speaking of dirty engines...what's a good way to clean up the engine bay? Is spraying water a good idea?
but I must say, coving those pieces with plastic bags and using engine degreaser seems to work okay
11-02-2006, 12:06 AM
#41
1.21 Jiggawatts
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Lima, OH
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i think it looks fine, and overheating has been far from a problem here in Ohio. I personally think it looks pretty nice cosmetically...no reason to really take it off. If i showed my car off everyday or something it might be slightly different, but since i dont...
the only reason i could possibly see to take it off would be because of the frequent oil checking which are made easier by removing it. Otherwise, its never bothered me.
the only reason i could possibly see to take it off would be because of the frequent oil checking which are made easier by removing it. Otherwise, its never bothered me.
11-02-2006, 05:11 AM
#44
Klingon Grammarian
I keep mine on. I did a lot of reading on this board on this topic at one point, and my conclusion was that nobody really has a definitive answer as to which is better. In the end I found the leaving-it-on-is-better side slightly more persuasive.
11-04-2006, 10:31 PM
#47
Sure is a nice car
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When I was at the dealership looking at the 8, I mentioned that it was a shame that they kept the engine covered up when it's such a big reason to get the car, and the salesman claimed it was to keep the engine dry in the rain.
Of course, the same salesman said that the stormy blue '07 RX-8 we were looking at was the same shade of blue that they had on the previous years, so we can be pretty sure he's wrong.
Of course, the same salesman said that the stormy blue '07 RX-8 we were looking at was the same shade of blue that they had on the previous years, so we can be pretty sure he's wrong.
11-05-2006, 05:33 AM
#49
Registered
Originally Posted by ALP22
I'd be interested to see the state of the paint on RX8 hoods in 5-10 years' time, dependent on whether the cover was removed or not. If the cover serves the simple purpose of protecting the hood from excessive heat, that's good enough reason for me to leave it on.
11-05-2006, 08:02 AM
#50
Rotary Public
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Originally Posted by RX8Maine
That is exactly what I am worried about . . . the effect of the direct heat on the hood's finish. I'll leave mine on.
+1