# Remove and leave off 2023 RX350h engine cover? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [September 27, 2023, 2:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/remove-and-leave-off-2023-rx350h-engine-cover/193084 "2023-09-27T02:50:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Robert-Gift](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/robert-gift/32/356_2.png) [@Robert-Gift](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Robert-Gift)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2023, 2:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/remove-and-leave-off-2023-rx350h-engine-cover/193084/1 "2023-09-27T02:50:36Z")
Now doing the third 7,500-mile OCD overnight oil change. I remove the plastic **over** thengine. (plastic cover over the engine). Such enables getting the dirt and bugs funneledown and around the oil filler cap, out. Does the coveretaiheat (cover retain heat), or just make the top of engine look nice? The cover does have a few places of insulation. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![sestivers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@sestivers](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sestivers)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2023, 3:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/remove-and-leave-off-2023-rx350h-engine-cover/193084/2 "2023-09-27T03:51:43Z")
It’s mostly to look nice and to reduce noise from the engine, probably mostly from the valve train. Leaving it off won’t hurt anything, the engine controls will automatically adjust to any change in temperature if there even is any. But it belongs there if you want to keep saying the car is meticulously maintained. ---
**Author:** ![2fas](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/2fas/32/36037_2.png) [@2fas](https://community.cartalk.com/u/2fas)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2023, 4:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/remove-and-leave-off-2023-rx350h-engine-cover/193084/3 "2023-09-27T04:35:28Z")
Youre replacing the oil every 7500 miles? If so, you should replace it every 5000 miles instead. Its better for the engine and your OCD. The covers are to reduce noise and be aesthetically pleasing. I would put them back on as they are easy to lose. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2023, 4:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/remove-and-leave-off-2023-rx350h-engine-cover/193084/4 "2023-09-27T04:55:57Z")
Install the engine cover during winter months, it helps to retain engine heat while parked. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2023, 12:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/remove-and-leave-off-2023-rx350h-engine-cover/193084/5 "2023-09-27T12:10:17Z")
It reduces engine noise. One went missing in one of our Cobalts and the difference in engine noise was obvious. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2023, 3:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/remove-and-leave-off-2023-rx350h-engine-cover/193084/6 "2023-09-27T15:11:39Z")
Oh I am going to enjoy reading the responses between a couple of members on the forum about this one… Should make for some very interesting post… ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2023, 5:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/remove-and-leave-off-2023-rx350h-engine-cover/193084/7 "2023-09-27T17:28:47Z")
I’d leave it on, it keeps most of the dirt out, quiets the engine noise, and there are engine components under there that can use the protection. (edited based on @Nevada_545 's pic) ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2023, 5:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/remove-and-leave-off-2023-rx350h-engine-cover/193084/8 "2023-09-27T17:36:51Z")
The engine cover goes over the valve cover, coils, injectors, fuel pump etc. The orange cable on the driver’s side goes to the inverter. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/9/6/9619d106becd9b9df7d0220cfc7da2a3a2eff18b.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2023, 5:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/remove-and-leave-off-2023-rx350h-engine-cover/193084/9 "2023-09-27T17:49:49Z")
Unlike a number of cars Lexus isn’t going for a cosmetic cover of most of the lines/wires/hoses. This is a Lincoln Nautilus: ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/8/f/8f0c5ec70c11941129efe7ff50fef8741fe00001.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2023, 8:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/remove-and-leave-off-2023-rx350h-engine-cover/193084/10 "2023-09-27T20:12:34Z")
I’ll come out and say it . . . If I were looking to purchase the Lexus from you, @Robert-Gift and I saw the engine cover was missing, I would low-ball you BIG TIME because I would immediately assume you’ve neglected to take proper care of the vehicle ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2023, 8:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/remove-and-leave-off-2023-rx350h-engine-cover/193084/11 "2023-09-27T20:37:05Z")
> [@db4690](#): > > If I were looking to purchase the Lexus from you, @Robert-Gift and I saw the engine cover was missing, I would low-ball you BIG TIME because I would immediately assume you’ve neglected to take proper care of the vehicle … and once you saw him using that electric fry pan underneath the engine–in lieu of a proper engine block heater–you would likely walk away, shaking your head about his “unique” choices regarding how he cares for his vehicles. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2023, 9:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/remove-and-leave-off-2023-rx350h-engine-cover/193084/12 "2023-09-27T21:55:33Z")
Suggest that it is best to keep the car configured as close to the way it was manufactured as practical. There are various constraints the engineers who designed the car paid attention to, many of which we car owners may not know about. Safety being an important one. Sensor accuracy, thermal management are likely other ones. I’ve always thought those engine covers were mostly to discourage the car owners from fiddling with the engines when the car isn’t running correctly, partly b/c owner-fiddling could cause the emissions to increase. ---
**Author:** ![galant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/77aa72/32.png) [@galant](https://community.cartalk.com/u/galant)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2023, 12:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/remove-and-leave-off-2023-rx350h-engine-cover/193084/13 "2023-09-28T00:25:07Z")
Might also protect your hood paint from the engine heat. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2023, 5:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/remove-and-leave-off-2023-rx350h-engine-cover/193084/14 "2023-09-28T05:56:42Z")
The RX350 turbo engine has a smaller beauty cover, one end fuel rail can be seen next to the oil cap. Ventilation might be of greater interest over concealing the noise. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/9/2/92bbcea1fd9a79a0fb9f98ffd9df43b843864856.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Robert-Gift](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/robert-gift/32/356_2.png) [@Robert-Gift](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Robert-Gift)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2023, 11:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/remove-and-leave-off-2023-rx350h-engine-cover/193084/15 "2023-09-28T11:12:50Z")
Thank you, all. Replaced it. Concerned that I may wear outhe sockets pulling it off and putting it on every oil change. Was considering 5k oil changes. But most of the miles are highway and Interstate. Did a 264-milemergentransport to a hospital in western Colorado trying to be as gentle on thengine as possible. Lexus calls for 0W-16 which I used for the firs **two** il changes. Could not find it at Walmart. This time used Mobil1 0W-20 full synthetic made for hybrid vehicles. ---
**Author:** ![2fas](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/2fas/32/36037_2.png) [@2fas](https://community.cartalk.com/u/2fas)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2023, 11:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/remove-and-leave-off-2023-rx350h-engine-cover/193084/16 "2023-09-28T11:27:08Z")
I would change it at 5k intervals even if its highway miles. Not only is it better for the engine, its also good for the maintenance record. If you ever decide to sell your vehicle, that 5k oil change interval will be the main selling point. ---
**Author:** ![Robert-Gift](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/robert-gift/32/356_2.png) [@Robert-Gift](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Robert-Gift)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2023, 11:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/remove-and-leave-off-2023-rx350h-engine-cover/193084/17 "2023-09-28T11:27:11Z")
> [@VDCdriver](#): > > > [@db4690](#): > > > > _If I were looking to purchase the Lexus from you, @Robert-Gift and I saw the engine cover was missing, I would low-ball you BIG TIME because I would immediately assume you’ve neglected to take proper care of the vehicle_ > > _… and once you saw him using that electric fry pan underneath the engine–in lieu of a proper engine block heater–you would likely walk away, shaking your head about his “unique” choices regarding how he cares for his vehicles._ When selling, everything is intact. Last purchaser commented how clean everything was and the oilooked new. Brokehearted thathelectric skillet will not be very effective because there is a c **over** the bottom of thengine. (Must remove a panel in the cover to geto the oil filter.) (Also the metal oil filter spins ohorizontally, so I cannot fill it with oil before screwing it on.)