Anyone know if there is an important, functional purpose for the engine cover? As much as I can tell its just there to keep the engine clean and muffle noise. I personally like the diesel noise, and the engine cover just seems to hamper access to the engine and serve as a "dirt and crud funnel" into the oil filler tube.

I know when it's raining/sleeting/snowing I get a lot of road spray up on top of the cover that comes in through the gap between the hood and the grill. Maybe some shielding for any wiring under it???

Alljeep is correct. The plastic cover serves three functions. A) Noise dampener from the diesel, B) Protection of wiring under cowling, C) Proper circulation of airflow to dissipate heat from engine

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2005 Black CRD Limited w/105,000 miles
Mann Provent 200, Airbox Mod, ORM Mod
New 545RFE, TC & Redesigned pump @ 25,020 miles
New EGR Flow Control Valve @ 25,020 miles
New Transfer Case input/output seals @ 32,787 miles
SEGR Kit @ 52,000 miles
SunCoast TC and Transgo Shift Kit @ 52,000 miles

However you can take it off in normal temp weather and it will have no effect except to make the Jeep CRD sound more like a diesel.

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91 MB 300D 2.5L Turbo. Her's

05 MB E320 CDI. Mine

I purchased an IR temperature gun to try to assess the calibration of my temperature gauge (I think/hope I have the original calibration, which would then explain the apparent overheating when towing uphill in 80 degree weather). I need to remove the engine cover in order to point it at the thermostat (which is how I'm doing the measurements, per viewtopic.php?f=5&t=60274).

I was thinking of leaving the engine cover off when I take my trailer out this weekend, so I can more easily/quickly stop and do some temperature readings. However, given DZL_LOU's purpose (C) "Proper circulation of airflow to dissipate heat from engine", I'm hesitating.

Any suggestions as to whether I should leave the engine cover on or off while trying to assess possible overheating?

Thanks!!
julie

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2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited - with Fumoto oil drain valve! AND Rock Lizard Rack, Weeks Kit, ARP studs, Model 001 thermostat, Hayden fan clutch, and brand new TB, water pump, plugs, and rockers (thanks Georgi!)
2003 VW Jetta TDI
2000 Ford Excursion XLT (diesel)
2007 Wells Cargo TW101-V (custom camping trailer)

Many years ago I noticed that the edge of the cover was grinding through one of the smaller coolant hoses at the front LH corner. I removed the cover and have been running without ever since with no ill effects. I think it's purpose is purely for noise deadening, aesthetics and to give marketing a surface in the engine bay for some branding. Any other perceived benefits are purely coincidental.

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Share your ideas freely at https://www.facebook.com/groups/libertydiesels/

I've been running without my cover for years.
I'm always looking for ways to remove heat from the engine bay, not keep it in.

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U.S. Army Retired

Thanks for the confirmation! I'm not sure if I'll leave it off permanently, but definitely will take it off for the next towing trip so I can do the temperature analysis.

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2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited - with Fumoto oil drain valve! AND Rock Lizard Rack, Weeks Kit, ARP studs, Model 001 thermostat, Hayden fan clutch, and brand new TB, water pump, plugs, and rockers (thanks Georgi!)
2003 VW Jetta TDI
2000 Ford Excursion XLT (diesel)
2007 Wells Cargo TW101-V (custom camping trailer)

Please report back with your findings I'm curious of the "better airflow" concept. I've also had mine off since I bought it.

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05 CRD: H.D.S2 stat,WW Ironrock trilink&LCA's, OX rear,ARB front, 4.10's, ARB bumper, Suncoast,OME 3.5, JBA UCA,rock rails, Moabs&265/75 Duratracs, GDE tunes ,FFD fan,ARP's, 2 micron fuel, new valves,sasquatch battery tray & grid heater, tensioner relocated
Mech fan, VH & AC delete

It's definitely a noise dampener although by how much I do not know. I suspect not much from inside the cabin.

It's "prettier" than the comparatively ugly top of the engine and is a place for a nice logo or 2.

Cannot imagine it provides much protection to the wiring as most all of that is in wire looms or the plastic housing across the back of the engine.

As to airflow circulation I simply don't see that. Engine cooling is provided by the radiator which is in front of the cover so there is no benefit there. Oil cooling might help engine cooling but the oil cooler is buried down just in front of the turbo and covered by so much stuff that you can barely see it from up top so I don't see a cover adding much. Same for the EGR cooler which doesn't provide any engine cooling at all. As to an argument that a partial cover somehow holds air down on the engine and forces air flow past the engine I'd argue the hood does the same thing. Color me skeptical.

That said there is a wonderful rant out there in WEB land from a CRD owner whose DCJ dealer claimed the engine cover was a critical integral part of the engine and refused to work on/release his vehicle until the engine cover was reinstalled.

Mine's still on but I see no harm in taking the silly thing off.

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Sold to LOST member my 05 Ltd, GDE Stg II turbo + TCM tune, SunCoast TC w. Transgo kit, Steiger window regulators, Samcos, Fumoto valve, 2nd gen filter head with Lub. Spec. bleeder, Hayden clutch & 11 blade fan, inverted spare, P-1 battery, BF Goodrich Long Trail TAs, Etecno1 glow plugs, timing belt at 50K miles/8 yrs