TD5 Engine Cover : Pro’s and Cons

[BushWacker]

My 2002 Defender 130 has
a padded engine cover / shroud ,
fitted as standard over the engine block.

Various aspects relate:
cover on means
faster engine warm-up
less noise coming up through bonnet
better (designed) air circulation
etc etc

Some doubt the merits of the covers being used
in SA and remove them ...

Whats the thinking on this topic
and other considerations ?
... and whats the thinking on getting
the engine ‘ to temp’ faster after start-up
... is the designed cooling system - air/water/oil
working best with /without such cover In Africa ?
What do you guys do ?

[XJ Junkie]

It appears that VW don’t believe in them. They were apparently going to fit engine covers to the old Amarok, but decided against it.

So only the new V6 needs them

[Crips]

I have removed mine.
It makes it hard to spot a issue like a loose pipe or oil leak.
It is more noisy without and I have not really noticed a difference in temp.
I take mine to Landy Mega Centre and they also recommend removing it for temp and better access to spot a issue should something arise.

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[ThysleRoux]

Engine covers are fitted by manufacturers to hide the crappy layout in the engine bay.

[XJ Junkie]

Engine covers are fitted by manufacturers to hide the crappy layout in the engine bay.

Well not in the Amarok

[Chris Stoffel]

In the old days, before all these new electronic stuff, a engine was a thing of beauty. Now the engine is covered by pipes and wires. It looks like the undergrowth in a jungle. And the engine cover hides the mess.
Does it really help to make the engine warm up faster? I don't think so. I do think that engine cooling will be helped with the cover off.

[XJ Junkie]

I do think that engine cooling will be helped with the cover off.

Are you suggesting that there’s a potential heating issue with the Amarok?

[Crips]

I do think that engine cooling will be helped with the cover off.

Are you suggesting that there’s a potential heating issue with the Amarok?

He is referring to the TD5 engine, which the thread is about.

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[Chris Stoffel]

I do think that engine cooling will be helped with the cover off.

Are you suggesting that there’s a potential heating issue with the Amarok?

The fact that the Amarok do not have a engine cover on leads to the conclusion that there is indeed a potential heating problem.
It is not as if engine covers were unknown when the 2L Amarok came out.

[XJ Junkie]

Well said