Is there a real purpose for the cover above the radiator?

priusunum · 11-18-2007, 08:05 PM

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.

F8L · 11-18-2007, 08:13 PM

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.

seasalsa · 11-18-2007, 08:29 PM

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.

qbee42 · 11-18-2007, 08:52 PM

It keeps the matter and anti-matter separated before mixing in the plasma reactor.

Tom

Boo · 11-18-2007, 09:00 PM

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.

**efusco** · 11-18-2007, 09:16 PM

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.

lefat1 · 11-18-2007, 09:24 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Nov 18 2007, 08:52 PM) [snapback]541367[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

It keeps the matter and anti-matter separated before mixing in the plasma reactor.

Tom
[/b]

is that in front of the cadaborator near the warp drive next to the muffler bearings?

Doc Willie · 11-18-2007, 09:49 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lefat1 @ Nov 18 2007, 09:24 PM) [snapback]541383[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

is that in front of the cadaborator near the warp drive next to the muffler bearings?
[/b]

Watch it, or this thread is going to turn out like this.

lefat1 · 11-18-2007, 10:33 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Doc Willie @ Nov 18 2007, 09:49 PM) [snapback]541392[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Watch it, or this thread is going to turn out like this.
[/b]

ok you win, but, wait...what is the correct response to "rotate the pod please hal"?

David Beale · 11-18-2007, 11:40 PM

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.

11-18-2007, 08:05 PM	#1
priusunum priusunum Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 29 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	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. __________________ priusunum[size=3]

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11-18-2007, 08:13 PM	#2
F8L Collecting Data on Nature Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento, CA. Posts: 5,508 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #4 Thanks: 22 Thanked 190 Times in 138 Posts Friends: 35	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.

11-18-2007, 08:29 PM	#3
seasalsa Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 1,202 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	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.

11-18-2007, 08:52 PM	#4
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 10,477 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 95 Thanked 390 Times in 290 Posts Friends: 10	It keeps the matter and anti-matter separated before mixing in the plasma reactor. Tom

11-18-2007, 09:00 PM	#5
Boo Boola Boola Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New York, NY Posts: 4,295 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 167 Thanked 302 Times in 155 Posts Friends: 22	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.

11-18-2007, 09:16 PM	#6
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 17,231 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 49 Thanked 249 Times in 148 Posts Friends: 37	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.

11-18-2007, 11:40 PM	#10
David Beale Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 2,116 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: B Thanks: 3 Thanked 77 Times in 58 Posts Friends: 0	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.