AHP

I have a 2004 ES330 that came with a plastic protective cover that surrounded the engine, when you opened the hood. I recently had this car serviced by my local Lexus service department, with an issue regarding the SRS system (both driver and front passenger airbags would deactivate whenever I start the car).

I got this issue fixed and was told it was a calibration error issue, it was explained to me they used measured weights on the front passenger seats to recalibrate the SRS system. A few weeks later, I needed to replace my car battery and when I opened the hood I noticed the engine cover was missing. When I called the service department about this, I was told that whatever work they did during my last service visit was done inside the cabin of the car, and not in the hood. I still suspect it was removed during my last service visit for some reason, and they forgot to reattach it.

Here are my questions:

1. Would it be necessary to remove the cover inside the hood to access and diagnose the SRS system and/or car computer?

2. If not, what other reason(s) would the Lexus service department need to remove the cover?

3. Is it standard procedure for the service department to check over all the main parts of the engine (such as steering and coolant fluid levels, which I believe is normally underneath the engine cover) even though I came in to service a specific issue?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me out.

JSM1284

1) No

2) no reason

3) Yes, no all fluid access is still available with the cover still on.

Lexucan

Isn't it possible/likely that they had to disconnect your car's battery terminal to service the SRS system? Is the battery located under the protective plastic engine cover as well?

If you didn't lift the hood from the time you had the car serviced at Lexus and the time you noticed the engine cover missing, the odds are that the dealership is responsible, unless you have an engine cover thief roaming your neighborhood or you removed it yourself while sleep-walking one night and you don't remember...

AHP

Thanks for your input JSM1284 & Lexucan.

I do remember that the battery and its terminal are exposed, even with the cover on. I don't think they disconnected the battery, because when I had my battery replaced, the car lost all of its presets for the radio and seat positions.

But, if Lexus checked out the engine of my car every time I come in, they could have very well have removed it, and put it in another car. If someone did it intentionally, they were probably betting I wouldn't notice.

A few more questions:

1. Do you know if these engine covers are standard equipment on this model, or is it an optional accessory?

2. Any idea how much a replacement cover costs?

3. Are there any pictures on the internet of the ES330 engine cover on the engine? I looked all over the internet and couldn't find one.

Thanks.

JSM1284

1) Standard

2) $124.85.

3) My 02 ES300:

gulffishin

^ is there anything this guy (JSM) doesn't know

tuan92129

Do i see a strut bar (is it oem????)

JSM1284

Yes, The 02-06 ES300 and ES330 came with a stock strut bar

paintrain

two things 1) i hate jsm for having such a clean engine bay, lol 2) i dont know if the plastic cover you are talking about is the same thing as in his pic. my buddy has a 07 is250 and the whole engine compartment is covered with a plastic shield. if thats the case with your car then u can buy the stock cover or, like the IS, there are aftermarket options (carbon fiber ftw). but i could be and most likely be completely wrong

AHP

Maybe I am using the wrong terminology when talking about the "engine cover". I was, as Paintrain said, talking about the plastic shield that covers the engine compartment surrounding the engine.

I saw a picture of one on an ES350, and that one covered everything around the engine, including the battery. Although I am not sure, I believe the plastic shield covered the fluid ports (washer, coolant, steering) in the car. I do know for sure that the battery is left uncovered with the shield on.

It seems perfectly reasonable to me that the service department removed the shield when checking out my car and then neglected to put it back on.

So if anyone has a price and a picture of the plastic shield on the ES330, I would appreciate it.

JSM1284

The ES330's do not have the engine bay covers. They only have the silver engine cover. They started the engine bay covers on the ES's in 07.

07 ES350 Engine bay:

AHP

Thanks for the picture JSM1284, and for the proper term for that part.

Somehow, my 2004 ES330 did come with an engine bay cover. Perhaps it was an optional accessory.

Any idea how much an engine bay cover sells for?

JSM1284

The 04 ES330's did not have the Black covers, Nor was it an option. They didnt start that on the ES's till 2007. However, You should have the Silver engine cover, This came on all ES's.