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

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by priusunum, Nov 18, 2007.

  1. priusunum

    priusunum priusunum

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    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.
     
    #1 priusunum, Nov 18, 2007
  2. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    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.
     
    #2 F8L, Nov 18, 2007
  3. seasalsa

    seasalsa Active Member

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    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.
     
    #3 seasalsa, Nov 18, 2007
  4. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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

    Tom
     
    #4 qbee42, Nov 18, 2007
  5. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    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.
     
    #5 Boo, Nov 18, 2007
  6. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    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.
     
    #6 efusco, Nov 18, 2007
  7. lefat1

    lefat1 Fat Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Nov 18 2007, 08:52 PM) [snapback]541367[/snapback]</div>
    is that in front of the cadaborator near the warp drive next to the muffler bearings?
     
    #7 lefat1, Nov 18, 2007
  8. Doc Willie

    Doc Willie Shuttlecraft Commander

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lefat1 @ Nov 18 2007, 09:24 PM) [snapback]541383[/snapback]</div>
    Watch it, or this thread is going to turn out like this.
     
    #8 Doc Willie, Nov 18, 2007
  9. lefat1

    lefat1 Fat Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Doc Willie @ Nov 18 2007, 09:49 PM) [snapback]541392[/snapback]</div>
    ok you win, but, wait...what is the correct response to "rotate the pod please hal"?
     
    #9 lefat1, Nov 18, 2007
  10. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    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.
     
    #10 David Beale, Nov 18, 2007
  11. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

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    I don't think it's an airflow thing specifically, but it's probably
    more useful for preventing dirt entry a little more. The rubber
    gasket across the front of the hood comes down on it, possibly
    making a better seal and keeping grit off the engine. I ran around
    without mine for a long time too, and once I put it back in I noticed
    that less sand tends to accumulate on top of the valve cover around
    the ignitors over time.
    .
    _H*
     
    #11 hobbit, Nov 19, 2007
  12. rigormortis

    rigormortis Active Member

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    i think its designed to get in the way of replacing the HID bulbs so toyota just doesn't kill anyone through an industrial repair accident
     
    #12 rigormortis, Nov 19, 2007
  13. KTPhil

    KTPhil Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lefat1 @ Nov 18 2007, 08:33 PM) [snapback]541403[/snapback]</div>
    "I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that."
    Click to hear HAL 9000
     
    #13 KTPhil, Nov 19, 2007
  14. Bob64

    Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Beale @ Nov 18 2007, 11:40 PM) [snapback]541422[/snapback]</div>

    What fans runs more often?
     
    #14 Bob64, Nov 21, 2007
  15. TheAnnoyingOne

    TheAnnoyingOne New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Nov 18 2007, 06:16 PM) [snapback]541377[/snapback]</div>
    Now why on earth do you keep the fasteners there? - It is generally accepted that mechanical work on a car is done in the garage , not the bedroom :p
     
    #15 TheAnnoyingOne, Nov 21, 2007
  16. Bob64

    Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky

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    For some people, the garage IS the bedroom, because they love their prius so much.
     
    #16 Bob64, Nov 22, 2007
  17. Doc Willie

    Doc Willie Shuttlecraft Commander

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(KTPhil @ Nov 19 2007, 10:47 PM) [snapback]541790[/snapback]</div>
    Wrong. The correct response is to rotate the pod (and download the lip-reading subroutine).

    This response is for "Open the pod bay doors, HAL."
     
    #17 Doc Willie, Nov 22, 2007
  18. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(The Annoying One @ Nov 21 2007, 12:55 PM) [snapback]542485[/snapback]</div>
    there are all kinds of car parts all over our house, even in the bedroom. stuff came home with DH and made it to the bedroom where he changed into regular clothes.
     
    #18 galaxee, Nov 22, 2007
  19. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    A place to lay tools and the manual.
    Stops you dropping tools and parts into the abys.
    Looks pretty.
    Directs cooling air.
     
    #19 patsparks, Nov 22, 2007
  20. szabi

    szabi I also have a 2007 Prius

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    You couldn't be more right. They have these things in electron-positron storage rings as well.
     
    #20 szabi, Jul 24, 2009
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