Engine Cover Question...

[E34 530]

Hey guys, I just have a quick question. It took me a year, but I'm finally starting to "open up" to the Bimmer. It's 100 times more complex than the antique cars I used to work on where I can actually sit in the engine bay and do things. I was cleaning my car up for a meet when it struck me that I never took the plastic cover off the engine block. Since I've started fixing some things here and there myself, I took the cover off to investigate how it looked underneath. I also figured out that the piece to hold the cover on was broken off from the bracket. Anyway, is it alright if this one side goes unscrewed even though the others will be screwed down?? Is it extremely necessary that I fix this piece, or is it alright for it to slide for awhile?? Thanks for your comments, Andrew

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/ripcurl530/2006_0225Image0002.jpg

This is where the piece broke off of...
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/ripcurl530/smelly2.jpg

Just thought this pic. looked kinda cool...
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/ripcurl530/2006_0225Image0009.jpg

[dternst]

As long as you still have a couple of them to worry. Although, if memory serves me correctly, those brakets didn't cost very much. The next time you drive by your local BMW dealership, stop by the Parts Department and pick up the set. Quck and easy fix.

[Kalevera]

You don't even need the cover -- it only serves as acoustic insulation.

But they do break all the time. I like the M62 design, which uses "push buttons" much better.

best, whit

[E34 530]

Thanks for your replies guys, I appreciate it.

[Traian]

I've only got one bracket there out of the four. It doesn't rattle and saves time if I have to replace an intake gasket, etc... :D