@@rickjohnson2859I worked as a service writer for GM products and they told me that lots of stuff are engineered to be complex and facilitate the need to bring it to a dealer
With the tiny bit of fuel economy increase we've had In recent years, oil companies figure out other ways to sell us oil to make up for it so they fill our cars w/plastic junk. Comifornia outlawed plastic straws so how did they make up for that, they started packaging the cardboard straws in excessive amounts of plastic packaging. I don't offer to keep moisture out of the cardboard straws or what but it's crazy. I believe it increased plastic waste.
Lol you think the engineers are behind this? At the end of they day it's the pressure from above/bean counters to make everything as cheap as possible in the least time required. Believe me, if we had the freedom to make things better, we would.
There are many mechanics and diy guys like this they just don't say it on camera. These manufactures do some unnecessary things that causes problems or just a hinderance when you're trying to work on a piece of machinery.
I always wondered why they used those stupid covers. My 5litre Jag has the huge aluminium supercharger top exposed. Extra cooling = denser air = more power.
This guy is something else i love his sarcasm and his saying it like it should be said to many mistakes made by manufacturers and the mechanics working on this stuff .
I dont think the engineers do it on purpose. The executives and accountants tell them what to do. And im not trying to defend GM. I hate GM lol. I think engineers would love to design the best engines possible but arent allowed to.
@@Andrew_460 Could be I think engineers should have to spend some time working on the products they design because clearly the dumb things they do don't make sense 😡
@@stevenorcutt3913 that is a fact lol. Sometimes i think some engineers change things that work fine just so they can keep their jobs haha. These car companies need to make money so their product cant last forever. Look at saab. They made arguably the best cars ever but went bankrupt because they lasted so long. Also because a lot if not most people only keep their vehicles for a couple years then trade them in for the new model. So why would car companies make cars that last a long time? Back in the day it wasnt uncommon for people to keep their cars for 20 plus years. Not anymore...
Quite possibly the dumbest theory I’ve read. I’ll give you “quick assembly time at the factory “, but to think that GM actually engineers premature failure into their products as a business model… you’re out of your mind.
i always believed they put on all of this plastic to deter the owners from working on there car... the plastic beauty covers and air filter boxes can look difficult to remove to someone that doesn't know its useless functions and you just have to pull in most cases ! love you channel Dave , your truly a inspiration and my idol
Nope, it's to keep squirrels from doing unauthorized mods while the hood's down. Believe me, a rodent has no problem chewing through a paper air filter and shelling a treeful of nuts inside the air plenum and filter box. Also need an air dam to direct fanned air from the radiator stack across the top of the motor and far far away from the intake, which needs cooler air. The fact that after 'some work on this engine' resulted in an improper reassembly and failed completion of repair reconnaissance evaluation sits squarely on the tech's shoulders who expertly "pulled it apart" and didn't first note that reassembly would be difficult if not impossible in the first place, then failed to solicit expert- assistance and\or obtain any prequisite tools all of which totally lays all guilt at the feet of guess who: not the OEM.
Like our local oil change shop said about my wife's fiat 500l, the engineers put the oil filter in first and then built around it. Meaning the simplest item to replace became one of the hardest/more difficult.
@roboticunclephil truly mind-boggling. If I were the owner, I'd just cut that excess plastic off. It wouldn't be pretty, most likely, but it would definitely have only benefits
I worked on oil rigs many years ago and had an interesting conversation with a recent graduate. They explained that a requirement for all new engineers (HP) was several months working on the rig, not just observing. The reason was to make sure they understood why things were set up they were. HP did not want to waste time or resources on new ideas that were not practical for today or tomorrow’s applications. HP rigs are some of the most well thought out rigs you’ll find. Perhaps automakers could learn something from this approach
Yes, this is absolutely it. Clearly a company that cares. Or even if they don’t care for the techs/operators, which hopefully they do, they are smart enough to know where to spend money properly to move forward, not wasteful spending. Everyone should be taking a page from this. Workers are expecting better equipment and environments, customers seems to be wanting better quality even if it means a bit more cost.
@@DavesAutoCenterCentervillehad recently a Mazda 2 capella, wich is a ford focus fusion in disguise. The engine cover for it's little 1.3 l engine was similar with what you shown in this video... And the air filter was inside the goddamn thing. Why? Now I have a VW Eos 2.0 diesel to wich I removed the plastic cover. Thanks for the work from uk
Dave, we love your videos - your detailed knowledge, your commonsense and your willingness to speak up help us all to understand and take action. U da man!
Toyota Tundra V-8 has plastic with foam insulation. When I took it to the dealer for my “ free oil change “ they acted like I destroyed the engine with it removed . Common sense is missing from city slicker engineers.
It was 10 years ago, my Honda Civic air filter box broke where one air duct connected to it. It is made of plastic, of course. The Honda parts store asked € 600 for that plastic thingy. I heat-welded a piece of plastic tubing, and solved the breakage effectively and cheaply. The heat degrades the plastic, which in turn becomes very prone to breakage...
I've been saying the same thing for 20 years. But the bean counters & marketing/styling departments trump anything & everything mechanics & sensible engineers come up with.
In my current job it took 6 years to get my boss in a workshop. Now we will need another decade to get upper management there. But we get really good comments from the mechanics which I actually learn from!
Engineers don't ever care about other's opinions or knowledge. I have dealt with them for 40 years. They are usually very arrogant and see everyone else as their lessers.
@@joefudd Not all of them. But once you get experience in the business you quickly learn that it is generally not accepted to have an opinion that deviates from that of management. The automotive industry is maybe one of the most conservative ones out there. In our company it is slowly turning around but it will take at least 2 decades.
I believe Mercedes Benz started these stupid engines covers and air cleaners over 30 years ago. Manufacturers no longer need to tidy up their engines, they simply cover the mess of wires and hoses. I’m old enough to remember when engines looked good uncovered!
Oh Mercedes. Never been the same since Lexus hit the scene in 1990. I remember as a kid in the 80s Mercedes was the pinnacle of quality and holding its value. How times have changed.
@@x-man4702 My wife drives a Lexus Lx 570. She had a fender bender back in Sept so I took it to a shop to have it estimated. The guy who owns the shop and has so since the 80s said man that 570 is the king of SUVs. I asked why he said that. He took me into a service bay and showed me a 3 year old Mercedes top of the line SUV that had been hit from the side at about 20 mph and he said it’s totaled because Mercedes got away from full on frame SUVs and that little hit bent the entire subframe of that piece of crap. Yeah, I’ll stick with my Lexus vehicles. Mercedes hasn’t mad a solid vehicle since the early 90s when they discontinued the 124 and 126 chassis. But again, those were real Mercedes drivers back then..most of them have moved on to Lexus by now.
I remember back in the day our stone cars had 4x4 stone branch hybrid wheels that could off road no problems. Also no limiting of the yaba Daba doo revs. Just all and all a better build quality back then!
Only seen a few of this guys videos but it seems he is unbiased towards the model or make of the vehicle and hs is just doing his job and offering helpful tips.
Engine blanket,incubaker,hat for no head......I've been irritated by those useless garnishments since the 1st one I saw,and it's a transmissable virus affecting engineers and managerial doofys
They thought the average American would find it more aesthetically pleasing than valve covers and throttle bodies and air ducts. Why hide the visual clues that save you big damage when the longer your products last the more likely we are to buy them again?
@@MrTheHillfolkI just take them off and box them up for when it's time to sell it. People think it's really well taken care of when I use degreaser on the engine at the car wash and wipe that brand new cover off. Little do they know, this was a shade tree mechanics car.
As a mechanic/technician for 35 years at the time I became a operational supervisor for a municipal fleet that had multiple vehicles with covers that idled for long periods and had overheat issues. My first order of business was to get rid of them covers. Took care of a lot of concerns. Now part time in the private sector I recommend to customers to rid of it.
The only time I noticed that the plastic cover helped cool. The engine I used to own a 2002 saab 9-5 3l Turbo V6 engine. I removed the plastic cover and I noticed the engine was running more hot when I put the plastic cover back on. I realized there were air channels going into it allowing the air to circulate around the engine for better cooling. However that is the only car I have noticed any difference with the plastic cover.
I did automotive for a long time. I'm hard pressed to find someone that is even close to this gentleman's education on automotive intelligence. Above and beyond what most know. Hats off to ya bro.
I swear i worked at a GM dealership in west Tennessee when this came out. I thought it was crazy. Dave when you go nation wide i like to think i know my stuff but I'd never brag. I'd love to be part of your team... i love this channel!!!
What Savage Scotty doesnt tell you is that when you remove the beauty cover the hood heats to the point that the paint crazes, the clear coat bubbles and you're eventually left with a big bare spot on the hood where it rests above the engine.
I would say it's most likely not engineers that are the problem. It's the business people above them in management controlling things they don't understand. Giving half the time needed for research and development or making them reduce cost at risk of part duty cycle is very common. Every manufacturer does this in some way
Let’s expose the oil filter on these canyons WHILE WERE AT IT. Dig around like ray charles on the right hand side of the engine compartment and push some thick wires out of the way. Now hope you find the cap on the oil filter with your socket and extension, push wires away again and hope it’s not seized on there from the last person. Could be plastic housing, could be metal. Lift the cap up and hope you’re not spilling oil everywhere while you try to fit it between said stiff wires. Replace gasket and filter, reach down and spread the wires again. (Put some hair around it, you’ll find it easier 😉) shove the filter back in and hope you find the housing without breaking the stem that sticks up, carefully align it and twist. Step one complete. Thankyou GM for making a frequent service so frustrating.
As a mechanic of 50 years I approve this message! Don’t think I had a day at work where I didn’t question what engineers were thinking! An engineer asked me how I can make more money than engineers. I told him we have to figure out what you were thinking then we have to fix it right.
Someone once told me that the cover is to RETAIN the heat because the engine needs to be warmer to run. So we got a way to keep the heat (cover) and an entire system to remove the heat (radiator). It isn't engineers designing these engines anymore, its a room full of lawyers.
@@mpclepto182 - It’s for sound deadening. The engine is one of the nosiest things on a car and it makes sense to muffle that noise as close to the source as possible.
@@ClockworksOfGL Sound deadening on a 4 banger that you can't hear from inside the car when the hood is closed? Seems silly to me to do that. Seems more to me like manufacturers are doing everything they can to entice customers to go to the dealer than even bother looking under their own hood. Don't get me started on how cars are coming without a tranny fluid dip stick...
As a retired mechanic, cars are not designed with the average person in mind. I have 10's of thousands of dollars in special tools just to prove my case. It is just going to get worse as time goes on.
@@marklee6538 I see what you are saying but my comment was aimed at the EV craze. Those things don’t have direct emissions therefore the EPA will be out of it (or at least should be). I don’t believe EV’s are ready for mainstream consumption yet, but many will just call me an old fart and tell me to stop shaking my fist at the clouds.
Yeah I'd hate to be a mechanic these days everything looks so complicated and over engineered, I used to enjoy working on cars but not anymore. Must be such a stressful job nowadays
thank you i enjoy your sensible comments i do 90 percent of my own work and from watching folks like you is a big help understanding some of the finer points thanks from perth australia again
You gotta remove the cover center section, then install it and you can access the clamp! Yeah, it's a needless pain in the a$$ and most people get it wrong. I feel ya!
I find it amusing when people rant and rave and act like others are sooo stupid. When in reality, they are not fully informed. Thank you for pointing out what should be obvious.
Look at Hyundai, if they have a failure with any part of the motor, the dealer will put a brand-new crate motor in there under warranty. They're that disposable.
My Grandfather said 1 time " They Sure as Shiit can make a Cadillac that'll run for 70+ years........ but they bloody DONT want to"...😊 Smartest Man ive ever known 🙌 💯 RIP Capt.🫡
Dave, I'm with you on this one. One of mine was a Cadillac Deville Touring Sedan - Northstar. That Northstar star was a very good running engine, smooth, quiet, powerful enough to make that big car very quick, and still return 24mpg on the expressway. After that fine engineering they had a plastic garnish on the engine to 'pretty things up' that sat above but close to the ignition coils - as you might recall - the Northstar was rough on ignition coils. My observation about holding heat was the same as yours, so I threw away the plastic cover and never had a coil fail again. Another, my VW. A plastic belly pan - I'm sure to smooth airflow under the car, and another garnish to dress the top of the engine. Comes to be each fall, I find the beginnings of a mouse nest between the plastic belly pan, and the oil pan, which doesn't smell particularly good until it falls away. On to our favorite, the plastic engine cover - remove it and find more remnants of a mouse den, complete with dead baby mice and the wonderful stink of dead mice. Fortunately, they've stayed away from gnawing away at wire insulation, but my battery cover apparently was good for chewing. EFFing stupid engineers have no clue of the environments these products operate in. Best of luck, Dave.
Let my father in-law drive your VW for a lil bit. He is slowly removing every piece of plastic from underneath his Accord, most of it on the same curb leaving his retirement community.
I have no issue with belly pans. Keeps the engine bay much, much cleaner. I have an armored pan on a Jetta that you can jack up the car with. Protects the oil pan. If you have a mouse problem, solve that problem.
405 thousand miles observation of many different setups. I will confirm a belly pan is beneficial. Yes better aerodynamics. Better flow of the radiator. A slight shield from environments to the engine bay. But the main reason why I keep a shield is because it helps prevent too much cold air flowing around in the winter. My jetta, has the overengineered and understressed ALH engine, everyone who lives in the cold knows those engine struggle to warm anywhere beyond 140degrees even with a thermostat lol😅
I used to own a 1986 custom deluxe Chevrolet long bed truck with a 350 4 bolt main, two barrel Manchester carburetor with dynomax headers HEI distributor glass packs and straight pipes out the rearend. Sounded like a top fuel dragster! I had the Goodyear Eagle NASCAR tires on her! She looked and sounded mean! You could hear every cylinder hit.
I totally agree with you Dave I'm a technician to and I hate the fact that every newer vehicle has the whole engine cover with wasted plastic same with the bottom of the vehicle covered in plastic it takes a technician about a half hour just to remove the plastic covers before you can actually work on it.
@@edgewatersbestguitarist1524 Not really. I'd actually argue that Toyota has engineering design choices that are at least as bad as GM. My 2011 Tundra was absolutely awful when it comes to turning simple repairs into huge all day tasks. Quoted 8 hours to replace the starter at 70k miles because of where Toyota shoehorned it. And the location basically cooks the starter. The timing chain tensioners failed at 110k miles and the labor quote was insane. In a conversation I had with one of the dealer techs, guys hate having to do that job because of how much stuff has to be removed to get access to them. When one rolls in the shop needing tensioners, techs that know better call in sick so they don't get stuck with the job.
They won't take the time to Neverseze a bolt . They obviously don't even want their own people to be able to fix their junk . So glad to have retired . Now I listen to you guys talk about what I've been bitching about for 50 years . Blessings 💞
Oh boy, you definitely take on a whole different outlook for the big three’s engineer’s! We had a mechanic, when he hollers, FN engineers, you watched out for a flying wrench!
I worked in a engineering department. It amazed me when marketing would want changes that hurt the operation but made it look better, a purchasing would change specs because they "found something cheaper".
That's why I still own and operate 2 71 Datsun 521 trucks. Simple, reliable and highly modifiable along with super easy to work on. At 65, I'm done with ever buying anything else.......
I'm with you man, 29 years old and only driving pre-'75s. In 8 years I've saved a fortune in maintenance fees. Can't beat that old simplicity 👍👍 Daily is a '70 Ford Maverick 250 I6. Dead simple, highly reliable. If you can stand the rattles, you're gold haha
I'm glad when I was a young lad cars had user friendly engines like the Ford X flow or Pinto, I had a V6 Essex in a mk 1 Ford escort, it was originally a 1.1 base model.
Your sarcasm is absolutely hilarious, i enjoy these videos and i learn something too. I never have had a car with a stupid beauty cover. I don't care about beauty under the hood I would throw that giant preace o crap in the trash.
@@adriannewman1322basically a blanket over your engine when it's 100 degrees outside there put on there for looks and engine noise deflector mostly the injector pulsing
I’m pretty sure oems do this for two reasons 1) it’s the first barrier to discourage the average vehicle owner from tinkering. Making them go to dealer for all maintenance concerns. 2) it makes the compartment look “cleaner” because they can hide all the little components and how they laid them out and wired them up.
They usually put sound absorbing foam on the bottom of the cover, so it does make the engine a little bit quieter especially when the hood/bonnet is up.
I agree with the first fact about taking the vehicle to the stealership. In my case, I still work on my own truck with the garbage can lid in the video. It takes me less than 5 minutes to take off or resemble. Just depends on if you want to save money and do the work yourself.
And faster it’s at operating temperature better the emission, that’s what you guys are forgetting , it’s all about government and bragging. Rights for MPG
@RcPlayer-tt2vw I'd be surprised if the covers made the engine warm up significantly faster, most of the airflow over the engine is down lower where it comes through the radiator. Fast warm-up is a big deal, for emissions and also for durability. When the engine is cold fuel will condense on the cylinder walls and dilute the oil there, leading to faster cylinder and piston ring wear.
I remember back in the old days car owners loved working on there cars. The engine carpartment had so much room everything was so easy to get to. Now you can't even see the engine and everything is so complicated forcing you to got to a mechanic and spend money. I liked the old day's 🥺
I am NOT a mechanic, but I did grow up in the 80s and 90s doing work on my car. I'm mechanically inclined so I can figure out 90% of basic problems. I think all engineers should have to replace everything on a car after they're "done" and before it goes to market.
Not only do the plastic covers "dress up" the engine, more noticeably they help to reduce the noises heard from all the injectors and solenoids found on a modern engine. I wonder how many people would take their car back to the dealer because they're worried about how much ticking/tapping noise they hear.
In this specific example, I believe the portion of the plastic cover that says “V6 VVTI” actually pops out so you can see where the intake hose meets the throttle body. That’s probably how Dave’s guys got the cover off too, since the hose is integrated into the cover and there was a hose clamp…
I've just ab tore all the plastic crap off my 08 wrx at this point, still have half a wheel well cover to stop water from getting in my cut open air box 😂.
Higher operating temperature means less fuel consumption, at the cost of longevity/reliability. They don't want it to last more than 5 years though. It's been like that since the early 70's, but it's gotten way worse since the early 2000's. I have over 20 years experience and I am done working on these newer throw-away cars. Matter of fact, I am done working on anyone else's car besides my own, unless you hire me, lol.
Plastic engine covers, plastic intake manifolds, plastic timing covers and oil pans. Ridiculous smh Love your channel and I'm so happy Discovery is filming and hope to see you on tv eventually
I seen the engine cover on Honda in the early years they made V6 and inline 4 engine they have cover but not attached like this. Plus I removed the cover on my mom's van and she can breathe. I am seeing the early model after Honda made them. During the years.
Mr, Dave and company, they use all that plastic because their engines are an eye sore now, not like in the 60's &70's when engines were beautiful and just as nice to look at as the car they were in. Now there's nothing eye appealing about the engine's in vehicle's anymore. Can we all agree on that?
I totally agree with you. All automakers need to get it together and stop building cars out of plastic. But you and I know it. They are not going to stop making them out of plastic they are going to use more plastic. I've always said this all engineers and designers need to work on automobiles before they even design one. I've been a mechanic for over 35 years and I see this stuff about everyday.
This is why I prefer older cars because they were built better: today’s cars using this plastic trash just don’t recommend it. Unless you’re getting a certain car made by an engineering company.
It’s not just for cosmetic purposes; these days they use the covers for NVH purposes as well. DI engines are very “clicky” with their high pressure fuel systems and lots of people think there’s something wrong with their engine when they hear that noise.
Engineers are instructed by manufacturers to design everything to make it confusing for owners to even trouble shoot, let alone do simple maintenance. The more specialty tools needed, the merrier.
100% agreed Dave; Just as I commented on a previous video of yours, that piece of 'plasticrap' is a real PITA to many of us who like to work on simple & basic maintenance. Many thanks & Blessings for your dedicated work!!.. 😊🇺🇸🏆🙏🙏🙏🙏
Having worked for an OEM directly and now working alongside several others, I can tell you the engineers could not care less about maintenance, servicing or aftermarket. “My job is to make the car as easy and cheap as possible to build and produce. I couldn’t care less what it’s like to service or take apart.”
I got a ford galaxy here in the qeer old corrupt UK 🇬🇧 and always dump these stupid plastic engine covers..a stupid idea that needs to be more thought in the convenience to the end user..nice video..
Looking for a fun job! try a Chevy HHR air filter. Even the directions do not tell you about the 2 nuts in the back. I think there were 12 #7 torques holding it in the cover inside to remove the filter. After you remove the cover. My chevy dealer had charged me for an air filter, that was never replaced. Yeah, they changed the oil but that was it. Where I was living had a major fire, and ash was thick. so, a week after everything was not an ash pit. I wanted to check the filter. Thats when I discovered that the dealer had never touch it. I knew why. It took too much time. After the trans switch went out, the dealer fixed it. But I got rid of car as a trade - in for a mustang GT. 2011
That plastic bit is actually two pieces and the outer shell clips onto the middle section which IS where the intake connects. Lets you see the intake and get everything installed fine and then clip the final larger cover over. But what do I know, I’m not a mechanic
Yeah I’m confused. I thought that center section popped out to let you install it properly. The cover is there to mitigate noise from these overhead cam engines that people always ask about, and make the engine seem less complex while leaving it accessible to work on when the simple cover is removed. How’s that much different than the intentionally massive air cleaners of old, that covered the same amount of engine? It’s really not that tough to remove and install and I can’t imagine that the engine dissipates any real heat from the intake manifold and throttle body area, because that’s not an air cooled engine.
I remember the days as a kid always helping my dad work on our car. I could actually climb inside the wheel well to work on the engine. My favorite, replacing freeze plugs...yeah right. That's where I learned to expand the colorful vocabulary of the English language.
I actually had this conversation with someone the other day... That I could remember sitting on the inner fender of my dad's '77 Silverado learning how to do spark plugs.
My 2012 Sonic LS has a 1.8 OPEL engine, naturally aspirated. Plastic engine cover is the cam cover. At 103k it still has never seeped. New timing belt improved already stellar performance, for a little 1.8 four. Good for another 100k. Maintain it, change oil every 5k and watch your cooling system, the only weakness on these. O-rings (3) fail first. DexCool only!
I especially love when clips and other fastening devices are made to fail on frequently servces components. These engineering marvels are what keep India's customer sevice at the ready.
We have 60 colorados at my work that have that intake/engine cover and I learned very quickly that you must take your time and use a little bit of lube to put that intake on properly. With the least amount of fiddling time.
You would have a leak that throws codes. But it doesn’t hurt to take a look with a flashlight and run your fingers across it to make sure. But it would throw a Maf code and a lean code if it was leaking.
@@icepicjoey 88 Suzuki Super Carry pickup. Built to the hilt for the apocalypse. Every part has been replaced or rebuilt. I added grease fittings to it all the bushings like it's supposed to be done. New F8A engine. Lifted. Efficient and capable. I love my KEI truck. Ours will keep going. Others will get their car turned off when they criticize the regime.👍
I have a 97 7.3 powerstroke! I noticed the rubber boots on wire terminals under plastic cover on top of engine were cracking! I realized the cover was holding heat, so i removed cover to never be put back on! Wire damage subsided! She has 457,000 miles on her now!
I have to imagine these covers have more to do with the design (engine = ugly) and accounting (plastic = cheap) folks than the engineers. Unless these serve some minor role in reducing NVH or something?
NVH of a sort. Customers hear noises that they didn't pay attention to or hear before having service or repairs and insist you fix it! Big problem with fuel injectors and solenoid operation noise, customers insist it didn't do that before! Hint: it sure did
Its good that Dave is exposing the stupid stuff that auto manufacturers do.
anyone who works on cars or works at a shop knows their is a lot of stupid stuff car manufacturers do
When you keep the heat in the motor it runs more efficiently. One of the reasons they also seal off the bottom of the car engine.
Bean Counters! That is all you have to say.
@@rickjohnson2859I worked as a service writer for GM products and they told me that lots of stuff are engineered to be complex and facilitate the need to bring it to a dealer
@@Notfiveo0 wrong - once the engine has warmed up a cooler environment will make a engine run better.
I hate all the plastic junk under the hood of most cars!
Because they don't want to polish manifolds.
With the tiny bit of fuel economy increase we've had In recent years, oil companies figure out other ways to sell us oil to make up for it so they fill our cars w/plastic junk.
Comifornia outlawed plastic straws so how did they make up for that, they started packaging the cardboard straws in excessive amounts of plastic packaging.
I don't offer to keep moisture out of the cardboard straws or what but it's crazy. I believe it increased plastic waste.
Doesn’t hold up to start with
First thing I do after buying a car, is remove all that plastic " bling".
Believe it or not, these covers were designed with pedestrian collision safety and noise reduction, but the intake piping is ridiculous
Automotive Engineers should be required to work as a mechanic while they are going to school. The stuff they come up with is mind boggling.
Im an engineering student working as a mechanic
Tell me about it!!!
They never would've put the engines in sideways if they had to work on them.
Amen!!!
Lol you think the engineers are behind this? At the end of they day it's the pressure from above/bean counters to make everything as cheap as possible in the least time required. Believe me, if we had the freedom to make things better, we would.
Engineers vs Techs one of the most brutal, underrated, least talked about battles in the world
Techs and care salesmen? (Dealership thing)
YOU MEAN ENGINEERING VERSUS THE PROFIT MARGIN THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN BEAN COUNTERS AND BUREAUCRATS TAKE CONTROL OF. ENGINEERING
Engineers are making much much much more money....
@@stevewalther2293 and the techs make waaaaaay less but gotta deal with the engineers mess ups lol
@@catlady8324 also true. My shop was techs vs sales vs service writers and everyone vs engineers lol
This guy’s sarcasm and disgust is exactly what this country needs. I love it.
There are many mechanics and diy guys like this they just don't say it on camera. These manufactures do some unnecessary things that causes problems or just a hinderance when you're trying to work on a piece of machinery.
I always wondered why they used those stupid covers. My 5litre Jag has the huge aluminium supercharger top exposed. Extra cooling = denser air = more power.
This guy is something else i love his sarcasm and his saying it like it should be said to many mistakes made by manufacturers and the mechanics working on this stuff .
😢 Every mechanic goes through this every day. Welcome to our world😮
Fixing the country one shitbox at a time
I know a retired GM engineer who says GM has been intentionally designing poor engines because they make more in parts than car sales.
Go figure...
I dont think the engineers do it on purpose. The executives and accountants tell them what to do. And im not trying to defend GM. I hate GM lol. I think engineers would love to design the best engines possible but arent allowed to.
@@Andrew_460 Could be I think engineers should have to spend some time working on the products they design because clearly the dumb things they do don't make sense 😡
@@stevenorcutt3913 that is a fact lol. Sometimes i think some engineers change things that work fine just so they can keep their jobs haha. These car companies need to make money so their product cant last forever. Look at saab. They made arguably the best cars ever but went bankrupt because they lasted so long. Also because a lot if not most people only keep their vehicles for a couple years then trade them in for the new model. So why would car companies make cars that last a long time? Back in the day it wasnt uncommon for people to keep their cars for 20 plus years. Not anymore...
Quite possibly the dumbest theory I’ve read. I’ll give you “quick assembly time at the factory “, but to think that GM actually engineers premature failure into their products as a business model… you’re out of your mind.
i always believed they put on all of this plastic to deter the owners from working on there car... the plastic beauty covers and air filter boxes can look difficult to remove to someone that doesn't know its useless functions and you just have to pull in most cases !
love you channel Dave , your truly a inspiration and my idol
Nope, it's to keep squirrels from doing unauthorized mods while the hood's down. Believe me, a rodent has no problem chewing through a paper air filter and shelling a treeful of nuts inside the air plenum and filter box. Also need an air dam to direct fanned air from the radiator stack across the top of the motor and far far away from the intake, which needs cooler air. The fact that after 'some work on this engine' resulted in an improper reassembly and failed completion of repair reconnaissance evaluation sits squarely on the tech's shoulders who expertly "pulled it apart" and didn't first note that reassembly would be difficult if not impossible in the first place, then failed to solicit expert- assistance and\or obtain any prequisite tools all of which totally lays all guilt at the feet of guess who: not the OEM.
@@francislopez8090you should be a politician
Like our local oil change shop said about my wife's fiat 500l, the engineers put the oil filter in first and then built around it. Meaning the simplest item to replace became one of the hardest/more difficult.
I’ve removed and tossed most of the engine covers on my engines.
Helps me keep an eye on things.
Me too!!
having an intake tube attached to this is absolutely egregious on GM's end..
@roboticunclephil truly mind-boggling. If I were the owner, I'd just cut that excess plastic off. It wouldn't be pretty, most likely, but it would definitely have only benefits
@@bryan23361 i'd do the same thing but what a stupid task to have to do
Took out the big ass plastic cover for my mustang engine and replaced it with a supercharger on top
I worked on oil rigs many years ago and had an interesting conversation with a recent graduate. They explained that a requirement for all new engineers (HP) was several months working on the rig, not just observing. The reason was to make sure they understood why things were set up they were. HP did not want to waste time or resources on new ideas that were not practical for today or tomorrow’s applications. HP rigs are some of the most well thought out rigs you’ll find. Perhaps automakers could learn something from this approach
Great feedback, thank you
This is incredible info. Thanks man
We don't live in that economy anymore. Mfgs want to sell fixes and parts when it breaks down right after warranty.
Yes, this is absolutely it. Clearly a company that cares.
Or even if they don’t care for the techs/operators, which hopefully they do, they are smart enough to know where to spend money properly to move forward, not wasteful spending.
Everyone should be taking a page from this.
Workers are expecting better equipment and environments, customers seems to be wanting better quality even if it means a bit more cost.
@@DavesAutoCenterCentervillehad recently a Mazda 2 capella, wich is a ford focus fusion in disguise. The engine cover for it's little 1.3 l engine was similar with what you shown in this video...
And the air filter was inside the goddamn thing. Why?
Now I have a VW Eos 2.0 diesel to wich I removed the plastic cover. Thanks for the work from uk
so glad i stumbled on this...i removed my plastic topper years ago because of the heat in Vegas ...
Dave, we love your videos - your detailed knowledge, your commonsense and your willingness to speak up help us all to understand and take action. U da man!
“GM! Come on! Help a guy out here!”
Favorite line
They don’t care….. I promise
Toyota Tundra V-8 has plastic with foam insulation. When I took it to the dealer for my “ free oil change “ they acted like I destroyed the engine with it removed . Common sense is missing from city slicker engineers.
He sounded like boe jiden
They’re helping him out by giving him work to do! Lol
Not to mention politics, but when he said that line…he sounded like Joe Biden, “c’mon man.”
Unfortunately, GM is Not the only one guilty of such atrocities.
They are just the ones who make the most problems not just limited to plastic covers
A race to the bottom.
Turn them into the Geneva Convention!
Even the mighty Toyota and Honda have started to pull this BS
For company that used to be the largest corporation in the world, they certainly do lead the race to the bottom.
I love this guy’s honesty. Wish he was in business in my town. I would have him work on my vehicle hands down!
Agree dream
It was 10 years ago, my Honda Civic air filter box broke where one air duct connected to it. It is made of plastic, of course. The Honda parts store asked € 600 for that plastic thingy. I heat-welded a piece of plastic tubing, and solved the breakage effectively and cheaply. The heat degrades the plastic, which in turn becomes very prone to breakage...
As a tech I have always hated this.... Glad you are calling this out. All engineers have to do is take 30 minutes and ask a mechanic what they think.
I've been saying the same thing for 20 years. But the bean counters & marketing/styling departments trump anything & everything mechanics & sensible engineers come up with.
In my current job it took 6 years to get my boss in a workshop. Now we will need another decade to get upper management there. But we get really good comments from the mechanics which I actually learn from!
Engineers don't ever care about other's opinions or knowledge. I have dealt with them for 40 years. They are usually very arrogant and see everyone else as their lessers.
@@joefudd Not all of them. But once you get experience in the business you quickly learn that it is generally not accepted to have an opinion that deviates from that of management. The automotive industry is maybe one of the most conservative ones out there. In our company it is slowly turning around but it will take at least 2 decades.
@@0783155 I have worked in the automotive industry for 24 years. I have dealt with dozens of engineers and I still do.
I believe Mercedes Benz started these stupid engines covers and air cleaners over 30 years ago. Manufacturers no longer need to tidy up their engines, they simply cover the mess of wires and hoses. I’m old enough to remember when engines looked good uncovered!
Oh Mercedes. Never been the same since Lexus hit the scene in 1990. I remember as a kid in the 80s Mercedes was the pinnacle of quality and holding its value. How times have changed.
@@hokie9910
Lexus are just glorified Toyotas.
@@x-man4702 My wife drives a Lexus Lx 570. She had a fender bender back in Sept so I took it to a shop to have it estimated. The guy who owns the shop and has so since the 80s said man that 570 is the king of SUVs. I asked why he said that. He took me into a service bay and showed me a 3 year old Mercedes top of the line SUV that had been hit from the side at about 20 mph and he said it’s totaled because Mercedes got away from full on frame SUVs and that little hit bent the entire subframe of that piece of crap. Yeah, I’ll stick with my Lexus vehicles. Mercedes hasn’t mad a solid vehicle since the early 90s when they discontinued the 124 and 126 chassis. But again, those were real Mercedes drivers back then..most of them have moved on to Lexus by now.
@@x-man4702 right, so actually reliable luxury cars.
I remember back in the day our stone cars had 4x4 stone branch hybrid wheels that could off road no problems. Also no limiting of the yaba Daba doo revs. Just all and all a better build quality back then!
Only seen a few of this guys videos but it seems he is unbiased towards the model or make of the vehicle and hs is just doing his job and offering helpful tips.
Dave you are a great Mechanic.
I call them "beauty covers" because they cover the beauty of the engine.
@lobolj53 : So true!!. 👍
Engine blanket,incubaker,hat for no head......I've been irritated by those useless garnishments since the 1st one I saw,and it's a transmissable virus affecting engineers and managerial doofys
They thought the average American would find it more aesthetically pleasing than valve covers and throttle bodies and air ducts. Why hide the visual clues that save you big damage when the longer your products last the more likely we are to buy them again?
Yeah i left it off after having a mouse nest in there ,screw those covers
@@MrTheHillfolkI just take them off and box them up for when it's time to sell it. People think it's really well taken care of when I use degreaser on the engine at the car wash and wipe that brand new cover off. Little do they know, this was a shade tree mechanics car.
As a mechanic/technician for 35 years at the time I became a operational supervisor for a municipal fleet that had multiple vehicles with covers that idled for long periods and had overheat issues. My first order of business was to get rid of them covers. Took care of a lot of concerns. Now part time in the private sector I recommend to customers to rid of it.
I take it a step further and remove ac radiators and ac condensers off my work trucks helps a lot and I run performance radiator too
Long idles... LE fleet?
@@Monster11B police vehicles
@@johnfrancis0063 I guess. I'm a cop.
@@KWAHU93when happens in summer ? 🤣🤷
The only time I noticed that the plastic cover helped cool. The engine I used to own a 2002 saab 9-5 3l Turbo V6 engine. I removed the plastic cover and I noticed the engine was running more hot when I put the plastic cover back on. I realized there were air channels going into it allowing the air to circulate around the engine for better cooling. However that is the only car I have noticed any difference with the plastic cover.
You always know it's going to be something good when a person starts out a rant with "I wanna show you something."
I did automotive for a long time. I'm hard pressed to find someone that is even close to this gentleman's education on automotive intelligence. Above and beyond what most know. Hats off to ya bro.
He is very intelligent more so than some people making videos. I'm glad he's calling these dumb asses out
mind like parachute only good when open😂
Most of what he’s saying we’ve been saying for years. It’s just refreshing to see videos being made that just aren’t stupid.
Yup, and I just wish they weren't 2000 miles from me! I wanna take my things there.
Wish I could learn from him, there's A LOT I still need to learn.
I swear i worked at a GM dealership in west Tennessee when this came out. I thought it was crazy. Dave when you go nation wide i like to think i know my stuff but I'd never brag. I'd love to be part of your team... i love this channel!!!
The toilets what do you want from them
@@scottmendoza8989what bro
National?? Discovery is world wide?
@@pear7777yah man - greetings from the UK. Good expertise transcends borders.
Did you get fired or layed off 😂
Love to see the people dealing with the manufacturing defects calling out the engineers who designed them. Thank you for helping make a change
Thank you Dave for pointing out these ridiculous plastic "engine covers." I wish the manufacturers would just stop with that nonsense.
Scotty Kilmer unceremoniously chucks away those beauty covers .
What Savage Scotty doesnt tell you is that when you remove the beauty cover the hood heats to the point that the paint crazes, the clear coat bubbles and you're eventually left with a big bare spot on the hood where it rests above the engine.
@11bravo18 so use heat proof paint lol
@@11bravo18not on my BMW E60 2.5i I removed it years ago and no damage to the paint on the bonnet
You can't just toss it if it's part of the intake lol
What car did that happen on?@@11bravo18
As a mechanic, I will say most mechanics aren't fans of engineers.
As a plumber I totally agree with you, they should have to install it in the field first before they produce the damn part
Machinist here. Same.
i re engineer😂 the engineers
I would say it's most likely not engineers that are the problem. It's the business people above them in management controlling things they don't understand. Giving half the time needed for research and development or making them reduce cost at risk of part duty cycle is very common. Every manufacturer does this in some way
Got that right. I worked private, corporate and government sectors and we do not like "engineers."
Let’s expose the oil filter on these canyons WHILE WERE AT IT. Dig around like ray charles on the right hand side of the engine compartment and push some thick wires out of the way. Now hope you find the cap on the oil filter with your socket and extension, push wires away again and hope it’s not seized on there from the last person. Could be plastic housing, could be metal. Lift the cap up and hope you’re not spilling oil everywhere while you try to fit it between said stiff wires. Replace gasket and filter, reach down and spread the wires again. (Put some hair around it, you’ll find it easier 😉) shove the filter back in and hope you find the housing without breaking the stem that sticks up, carefully align it and twist. Step one complete. Thankyou GM for making a frequent service so frustrating.
Meaning of GM: Garbage Manufacturer.
Thanks for giving us the scoop on how the dealerships keep us in a loop
As a mechanic of 50 years I approve this message! Don’t think I had a day at work where I didn’t question what engineers were thinking! An engineer asked me how I can make more money than engineers. I told him we have to figure out what you were thinking then we have to fix it right.
An engineer will step over a 1000 virgins to screw a mechanic.
Someone once told me that the cover is to RETAIN the heat because the engine needs to be warmer to run. So we got a way to keep the heat (cover) and an entire system to remove the heat (radiator). It isn't engineers designing these engines anymore, its a room full of lawyers.
@@mpclepto182 - It’s for sound deadening. The engine is one of the nosiest things on a car and it makes sense to muffle that noise as close to the source as possible.
@@ClockworksOfGL Sound deadening on a 4 banger that you can't hear from inside the car when the hood is closed? Seems silly to me to do that.
Seems more to me like manufacturers are doing everything they can to entice customers to go to the dealer than even bother looking under their own hood. Don't get me started on how cars are coming without a tranny fluid dip stick...
@@ClockworksOfGL why? The noise is one of the reasons a car is bought
As a retired mechanic, cars are not designed with the average person in mind. I have 10's of thousands of dollars in special tools just to prove my case. It is just going to get worse as time goes on.
Its not what it used to be 😢
Nah, 10 years from now all you will need is a laptop and a multi-meter.
@ryanlukens9280 and a multi thousand dollar access code to read a ECM. EPA wants that shit locked down.
@@marklee6538 I see what you are saying but my comment was aimed at the EV craze. Those things don’t have direct emissions therefore the EPA will be out of it (or at least should be). I don’t believe EV’s are ready for mainstream consumption yet, but many will just call me an old fart and tell me to stop shaking my fist at the clouds.
Yeah I'd hate to be a mechanic these days everything looks so complicated and over engineered, I used to enjoy working on cars but not anymore. Must be such a stressful job nowadays
thank you i enjoy your sensible comments i do 90 percent of my own work and from watching folks like you is a big help understanding some of the finer points thanks
from perth australia again
Quickly becoming my favorite RUclipsr
You gotta remove the cover center section, then install it and you can access the clamp! Yeah, it's a needless pain in the a$$ and most people get it wrong. I feel ya!
I find it amusing when people rant and rave and act like others are sooo stupid.
When in reality, they are not fully informed.
Thank you for pointing out what should be obvious.
Yeah some engineer was likely told to combine the engine cover, intake tube, and resonance chamber in one assembly.
They don't want you working on it, yet they apparently don't care about their dealers either...smh
Look at Hyundai, if they have a failure with any part of the motor, the dealer will put a brand-new crate motor in there under warranty. They're that disposable.
Its made to go together quickly on an assembly line.
@@scallie6462and then they spend more time in the shop
Exactly! Then they advertise their commitment to "saving the environment" It's laughable. @@jesses1589
My Grandfather said 1 time " They Sure as Shiit can make a Cadillac that'll run for 70+ years........ but they bloody DONT want to"...😊
Smartest Man ive ever known 🙌 💯
RIP Capt.🫡
Dave I am glad someone like You guide costumers with honest reviews.
I always tell my audience take the cover off. Put it aside so if you sell the vehicle put it back on. Thanks Dave you’re right.
Thanks for the feedback! And for watching our channel
What if you live where it gets subzero F in the winter?
you cant when its part of the intake.
Dave, I'm with you on this one.
One of mine was a Cadillac Deville Touring Sedan - Northstar.
That Northstar star was a very good running engine, smooth, quiet, powerful enough to make that big car very quick, and still return 24mpg on the expressway.
After that fine engineering they had a plastic garnish on the engine to 'pretty things up' that sat above but close to the ignition coils - as you might recall - the Northstar was rough on ignition coils. My observation about holding heat was the same as yours, so I threw away the plastic cover and never had a coil fail again.
Another, my VW. A plastic belly pan - I'm sure to smooth airflow under the car, and another garnish to dress the top of the engine.
Comes to be each fall, I find the beginnings of a mouse nest between the plastic belly pan, and the oil pan, which doesn't smell particularly good until it falls away.
On to our favorite, the plastic engine cover - remove it and find more remnants of a mouse den, complete with dead baby mice and the wonderful stink of dead mice. Fortunately, they've stayed away from gnawing away at wire insulation, but my battery cover apparently was good for chewing.
EFFing stupid engineers have no clue of the environments these products operate in.
Best of luck, Dave.
Let my father in-law drive your VW for a lil bit. He is slowly removing every piece of plastic from underneath his Accord, most of it on the same curb leaving his retirement community.
I have no issue with belly pans. Keeps the engine bay much, much cleaner. I have an armored pan on a Jetta that you can jack up the car with. Protects the oil pan. If you have a mouse problem, solve that problem.
It's well proven that most belly pans are better for airflow through the radiator. Drag and turbulence are not good for engine cooling.
405 thousand miles observation of many different setups. I will confirm a belly pan is beneficial. Yes better aerodynamics. Better flow of the radiator. A slight shield from environments to the engine bay. But the main reason why I keep a shield is because it helps prevent too much cold air flowing around in the winter. My jetta, has the overengineered and understressed ALH engine, everyone who lives in the cold knows those engine struggle to warm anywhere beyond 140degrees even with a thermostat lol😅
I know exactly how you feel. I got an 08 DTS that I love but man that cover is meh. Should’ve just put the logo on the engine itself
I used to own a 1986 custom deluxe Chevrolet long bed truck with a 350 4 bolt main, two barrel Manchester carburetor with dynomax headers HEI distributor glass packs and straight pipes out the rearend. Sounded like a top fuel dragster! I had the Goodyear Eagle NASCAR tires on her! She looked and sounded mean! You could hear every cylinder hit.
I totally agree with you Dave I'm a technician to and I hate the fact that every newer vehicle has the whole engine cover with wasted plastic same with the bottom of the vehicle covered in plastic it takes a technician about a half hour just to remove the plastic covers before you can actually work on it.
Not only GM, but point well made.
RODENTS LOVE THEIR NEW HOME......
His eye roll was classic. And yes it's called the mouse house for a reason.
Well GM is the worst so it's the best example lol
@@edgewatersbestguitarist1524 Not really. I'd actually argue that Toyota has engineering design choices that are at least as bad as GM. My 2011 Tundra was absolutely awful when it comes to turning simple repairs into huge all day tasks. Quoted 8 hours to replace the starter at 70k miles because of where Toyota shoehorned it. And the location basically cooks the starter. The timing chain tensioners failed at 110k miles and the labor quote was insane. In a conversation I had with one of the dealer techs, guys hate having to do that job because of how much stuff has to be removed to get access to them. When one rolls in the shop needing tensioners, techs that know better call in sick so they don't get stuck with the job.
They won't take the time to Neverseze a bolt . They obviously don't even want their own people to be able to fix their junk . So glad to have retired . Now I listen to you guys talk about what I've been bitching about for 50 years .
Blessings 💞
Lmao!
u r so righ😂t
Oh boy, you definitely take on a whole different outlook for the big three’s engineer’s! We had a mechanic, when he hollers, FN engineers, you watched out for a flying wrench!
@@rollinontwojohnny3586 Thanks for that . Throwing tools is not good .
Must have been a junk Craftsman wrench 🔧 .
I worked in a engineering department. It amazed me when marketing would want changes that hurt the operation but made it look better, a purchasing would change specs because they "found something cheaper".
My daughter has an all original 55 2 dr hardtop chevy it is so refreshing to be able to only see the motor when you pop the hood WOW
That's why I still own and operate 2 71 Datsun 521 trucks. Simple, reliable and highly modifiable along with super easy to work on. At 65, I'm done with ever buying anything else.......
I will probably never sell my 2002 Volvo S40 for this reason. The engine is a great example of an extremely solid, logical, easy to work on design.
@@MrD3000got an 02 Ford, and I feel the same
@@johnphilly2479 nice. Regular oil changes and adhering to the maintenance schedule are the open secret to keeping good old cars going.
@@MrD3000 no lie, people would be amazed how long things last when you take care of them.
I'm with you man, 29 years old and only driving pre-'75s. In 8 years I've saved a fortune in maintenance fees. Can't beat that old simplicity 👍👍
Daily is a '70 Ford Maverick 250 I6. Dead simple, highly reliable. If you can stand the rattles, you're gold haha
This is why I remove the plastic engine cover, Everytime I get a new sled.
I remove them so they won't get all scraped and broken by careless idiots like this guy.
I'm glad when I was a young lad cars had user friendly engines like the Ford X flow or Pinto, I had a V6 Essex in a mk 1 Ford escort, it was originally a 1.1 base model.
Your sarcasm is absolutely hilarious, i enjoy these videos and i learn something too. I never have had a car with a stupid beauty cover. I don't care about beauty under the hood I would throw that giant preace o crap in the trash.
I always throw them covers off my engine
Mine cracked on me from removing it and I left it off on purpose so it wouldn't be so hot in the summer.
I took mine off too
@@adriannewman1322basically a blanket over your engine when it's 100 degrees outside there put on there for looks and engine noise deflector mostly the injector pulsing
Only any good in snow conditions, otherwise might as well remove
@@Brometheus420what makes it so good "in snow"?
I’m pretty sure oems do this for two reasons
1) it’s the first barrier to discourage the average vehicle owner from tinkering. Making them go to dealer for all maintenance concerns.
2) it makes the compartment look “cleaner” because they can hide all the little components and how they laid them out and wired them up.
They usually put sound absorbing foam on the bottom of the cover, so it does make the engine a little bit quieter especially when the hood/bonnet is up.
I agree with the first fact about taking the vehicle to the stealership. In my case, I still work on my own truck with the garbage can lid in the video. It takes me less than 5 minutes to take off or resemble. Just depends on if you want to save money and do the work yourself.
And faster it’s at operating temperature better the emission, that’s what you guys are forgetting , it’s all about government and bragging. Rights for MPG
@RcPlayer-tt2vw I'd be surprised if the covers made the engine warm up significantly faster, most of the airflow over the engine is down lower where it comes through the radiator.
Fast warm-up is a big deal, for emissions and also for durability. When the engine is cold fuel will condense on the cylinder walls and dilute the oil there, leading to faster cylinder and piston ring wear.
@@nerd1000ify That's usually a heat blanket and not sound insulating foam. Designed to get the car to operating temperature quickly.
I remember back in the old days car owners loved working on there cars. The engine carpartment had so much room everything was so easy to get to. Now you can't even see the engine and everything is so complicated forcing you to got to a mechanic and spend money. I liked the old day's 🥺
I hate the plastic cover but I had to upgrade it to a AFE aftermarket system and luckily the air box is enclosed and not out exposed. 😊
I keep my wife a nice ride but I'll never stop driving my 97 Silverado been driving it since 03
Must be nice i bought my wife a panamera and she still wants to keep stealing my old ass toyota
I've got a 92 with a 454, and I love it. My wife has a new car.
New cars aren't all bad, just all GM products are.
Best trucks ever, late 90s Chev n GMC with 5.7 Vortec. They go forever
You right, I got my 91 since 2011, great truck. Lots of people with new trucks tell me , better keep it.
"GM, come on, help a guy out here!". Ha! I said this back in 1956! 😂😂😂
I am NOT a mechanic, but I did grow up in the 80s and 90s doing work on my car. I'm mechanically inclined so I can figure out 90% of basic problems. I think all engineers should have to replace everything on a car after they're "done" and before it goes to market.
Big man Dave is probably one of the reasons I’m trying to become a mechanic😅 just started tho so I got a lot to learn
My father taught me the same things. I like this guy, A mechanic with a brain.
It is like replacing the oil pan ‘gasket’ on a Northstar engine. (You ‘might as well’ put in a new engine. The cost is about the same.).
You had me at GM. That's when I knew I'd never have this problem because I'll never own one.
Not only do the plastic covers "dress up" the engine, more noticeably they help to reduce the noises heard from all the injectors and solenoids found on a modern engine. I wonder how many people would take their car back to the dealer because they're worried about how much ticking/tapping noise they hear.
In this specific example, I believe the portion of the plastic cover that says “V6 VVTI” actually pops out so you can see where the intake hose meets the throttle body. That’s probably how Dave’s guys got the cover off too, since the hose is integrated into the cover and there was a hose clamp…
So in reality, a complete BS short...
Dave: Help a guy out here, GM
GM: No
GM: laughs like Ray Liotta in Goodfellas
I've just ab tore all the plastic crap off my 08 wrx at this point, still have half a wheel well cover to stop water from getting in my cut open air box 😂.
Higher operating temperature means less fuel consumption, at the cost of longevity/reliability. They don't want it to last more than 5 years though. It's been like that since the early 70's, but it's gotten way worse since the early 2000's. I have over 20 years experience and I am done working on these newer throw-away cars. Matter of fact, I am done working on anyone else's car besides my own, unless you hire me, lol.
Yep! Same as the 3800 series two . The injector wires and vacuum lines will thank you … Those covers bake everything underneath … got to love it
But the 3800 series 2 engine was one of the 10 best engines ever made.
The engine itself, yes. Doesn't include the external crap they saddle it with.
Great spot for a mouse house.
Plastic engine covers, plastic intake manifolds, plastic timing covers and oil pans. Ridiculous smh
Love your channel and I'm so happy Discovery is filming and hope to see you on tv eventually
Thank you!
I seen the engine cover on Honda in the early years they made V6 and inline 4 engine they have cover but not attached like this. Plus I removed the cover on my mom's van and she can breathe. I am seeing the early model after Honda made them. During the years.
Mr, Dave and company, they use all that plastic because their engines are an eye sore now, not like in the 60's &70's when engines were beautiful and just as nice to look at as the car they were in. Now there's nothing eye appealing about the engine's in vehicle's anymore. Can we all agree on that?
GM needs you to buy a new vehicle every 5 years. This is a great way to wear out the engine and ensure that you need to make that purchase
GM mark of excellence 😅😅😅
@@jbphilly1234Sadly, many are more driven by tradition and peer pressure than the alternative.
GM loves us very much ❤
If they really caused the engine to run hot wouldn't the temp gauge show that?
@@colinm990 temp gauge just shows a range from cold to hot. GM gets to decide what “normal” is.
I totally agree with you. All automakers need to get it together and stop building cars out of plastic. But you and I know it. They are not going to stop making them out of plastic they are going to use more plastic. I've always said this all engineers and designers need to work on automobiles before they even design one. I've been a mechanic for over 35 years and I see this stuff about everyday.
Perfectly designed... to cause failure outside of warranty, and sell spares to repair.
Ford are even better at it !
If you got rid of plastic... BMW is out of biz
Half the problem is government regulations to make them more fuel efficient. So they have to use plastic crap to make them lighter.
@@mae2759yes and cause more plastic pollution..
"Roger & Me"we'll talk amongst ourselves about it Dave. We promise! LOL generous motors.
This is why I prefer older cars because they were built better: today’s cars using this plastic trash just don’t recommend it. Unless you’re getting a certain car made by an engineering company.
lol that "GM!! Come on!!!" left a lot unsaid 😂😂😂
It’s not just for cosmetic purposes; these days they use the covers for NVH purposes as well. DI engines are very “clicky” with their high pressure fuel systems and lots of people think there’s something wrong with their engine when they hear that noise.
Exactly, I'm surprised how many aren't aware of this.
Man, I freaked out when I noticed the sound of my evap valve clicking for the first time, let alone the injectors!
Oh man, the high-pressure fuel pump lifter on Kia 1.6 GDI motors... mine sounds like a key in a blender 😂
My BMW E92 sounds like a tractor even with the cover on 😂
Nope but good try
These big auto makers need to watch these videos and listen to this guy
Engineers are instructed by manufacturers to design everything to make it confusing for owners to even trouble shoot, let alone do simple maintenance. The more specialty tools needed, the merrier.
100% agreed Dave; Just as I commented on a previous video of yours, that piece of 'plasticrap' is a real PITA to many of us who like to work on simple & basic maintenance. Many thanks & Blessings for your dedicated work!!..
😊🇺🇸🏆🙏🙏🙏🙏
Well said!
It's an engineered failure point. They just need it to make it beyond the warranty before it fails and dusts the engine.
His “🙄” was phenomenal 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
As always your reading my mind everytime 🔥. We need more shops like this
Having worked for an OEM directly and now working alongside several others, I can tell you the engineers could not care less about maintenance, servicing or aftermarket. “My job is to make the car as easy and cheap as possible to build and produce. I couldn’t care less what it’s like to service or take apart.”
Amen!!! GM ain’t what it used to be. 👍👏
Sad, but true.
What in america is like it used to be this country is gone
I like the way you work on engine. Keep updated us
I got a ford galaxy here in the qeer old corrupt UK 🇬🇧 and always dump these stupid plastic engine covers..a stupid idea that needs to be more thought in the convenience to the end user..nice video..
Being a mechanic myself, I find out the many sins of engineering along the way, and I'm glad I'm not alone in my endeavors.
Even a "shade tree mechanic" can feel Dave's pain!
Yeah! C'mon GM!
Looking for a fun job! try a Chevy HHR air filter. Even the directions do not tell you about the 2 nuts in the back. I think there were 12 #7 torques holding it in the cover inside to remove the filter. After you remove the cover. My chevy dealer had charged me for an air filter, that was never replaced. Yeah, they changed the oil but that was it. Where I was living had a major fire, and ash was thick. so, a week after everything was not an ash pit. I wanted to check the filter. Thats when I discovered that the dealer had never touch it. I knew why. It took too much time. After the trans switch went out, the dealer fixed it. But I got rid of car as a trade - in for a mustang GT. 2011
GM engineer: you suppose to remove the engine to put that piece one.
If this gentleman’s shop was a few states closer, I’d still have my ‘16 LML, and wouldn’t wonder every day if my ‘24 tundra will get me home🤦🏻♂️
That plastic bit is actually two pieces and the outer shell clips onto the middle section which IS where the intake connects. Lets you see the intake and get everything installed fine and then clip the final larger cover over. But what do I know, I’m not a mechanic
Yeah I’m confused. I thought that center section popped out to let you install it properly. The cover is there to mitigate noise from these overhead cam engines that people always ask about, and make the engine seem less complex while leaving it accessible to work on when the simple cover is removed. How’s that much different than the intentionally massive air cleaners of old, that covered the same amount of engine? It’s really not that tough to remove and install and I can’t imagine that the engine dissipates any real heat from the intake manifold and throttle body area, because that’s not an air cooled engine.
I remember the days as a kid always helping my dad work on our car. I could actually climb inside the wheel well to work on the engine. My favorite, replacing freeze plugs...yeah right. That's where I learned to expand the colorful vocabulary of the English language.
I actually had this conversation with someone the other day... That I could remember sitting on the inner fender of my dad's '77 Silverado learning how to do spark plugs.
My 2012 Sonic LS has a 1.8 OPEL engine, naturally aspirated. Plastic engine cover is the cam cover. At 103k it still has never seeped. New timing belt improved already stellar performance, for a little 1.8 four. Good for another 100k. Maintain it, change oil every 5k and watch your cooling system, the only weakness on these. O-rings (3) fail first. DexCool only!
I especially love when clips and other fastening devices are made to fail on frequently servces components. These engineering marvels are what keep India's customer sevice at the ready.
We have 60 colorados at my work that have that intake/engine cover and I learned very quickly that you must take your time and use a little bit of lube to put that intake on properly. With the least amount of fiddling time.
My son has a 2018 v6 Colorado. Should he check this?
You would have a leak that throws codes. But it doesn’t hurt to take a look with a flashlight and run your fingers across it to make sure. But it would throw a Maf code and a lean code if it was leaking.
I love how little plastic is on my 35 year old truck. Very little anywhere.😎
I drive a 83 ramcharger as my daily driver. No new cars for me.
@@icepicjoey 88 Suzuki Super Carry pickup. Built to the hilt for the apocalypse. Every part has been replaced or rebuilt. I added grease fittings to it all the bushings like it's supposed to be done. New F8A engine. Lifted. Efficient and capable. I love my KEI truck. Ours will keep going. Others will get their car turned off when they criticize the regime.👍
70 pickup truck everything is metal even the dash only plastic is the steering wheel and yep that's the ugly bit
That put that shit on their to quiet engine noise, a little patience and it goes on fine. The heat issue though, you have an excellent point.
I have a 97 7.3 powerstroke! I noticed the rubber boots on wire terminals under plastic cover on top of engine were cracking! I realized the cover was holding heat, so i removed cover to never be put back on! Wire damage subsided! She has 457,000 miles on her now!
Gotta love great engineers.
I have to imagine these covers have more to do with the design (engine = ugly) and accounting (plastic = cheap) folks than the engineers. Unless these serve some minor role in reducing NVH or something?
90% or engineers understand, its corporate and marketing that have the ultimate say.
@@Yarf.McBarfthey could at least make the air pipe a separate piece like every other vehicle. I believe the do have some nvh benefits
NVH of a sort. Customers hear noises that they didn't pay attention to or hear before having service or repairs and insist you fix it!
Big problem with fuel injectors and solenoid operation noise, customers insist it didn't do that before!
Hint: it sure did
gotta love idiots who think this is because of engineers