Most likely just for appearance and sound insulation. Try it without and see if it's noticeably noisier. It does cover the alternator, if I recall, and that may keep it cleaner and healthier.

Oh, and it also gives rodents a nice covered spot to build nests. (My mother's Sorento was attacked by rodents while parked next to a creek over a weekend a few years back. They did most of their damage - chewing - on the wires under the engine cover. Total bill was $7,700, paid by State Farm.)

 

@RidingWV I'm going to say it's there mostly for appearance. I'm not sure about the later models, but it's pretty messy under the engine cover in my '07 FSXT... like they figured you won't see it, so why bother making it look neat & organized!

Bobby...

['07 FSXT Member Journal] ['03 X Member Journal]

 

OOOH! If you don't want it, put a stamp on it and send it to me in Aust please!..
I have the stud holes , but no cover.

 

Sound insulation but mostly visual aesthetic, That's it. If you can live with the view of the intake manifold do it.

 

I agree with the above. I believe during '14-'18 you only got one with the turbo engine, and the 2.5 NA engines were bare (and not so cool looking)

 

But they look so good when everything is cleaned up in the engine compartment.

 

My 07 FSXT with & without the engine cover...

Bobby...

['07 FSXT Member Journal] ['03 X Member Journal]

 

110% cosmetic. Will not harm nor keep the noise down.
I'm an odd duck that likes it. I put a glossy shine to it and I dig it. Even fixed a broken tab just to keep it around.

 

Our Sienna had similar cover, the mice chewed all the foam from the bottom of the thing and used it to build nests in the engine compartment. I asked the dealer, they said it's just sound insulation and appearance so I chucked it about 5 years ago. Haven't had any problems.

 

Here in Australia our foresters don't even come with one so go right ahead and remove it.

 

neither in Latin America ...

Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk

 

Cosmetic waste of plastic, Subaru shouldn't even bother, spend the money on making better quality cars!

Neither my 2010 or 2015 have one lol.

 

All Engine-Covers, all Makes & Models ... are not only a total waste ... they make wonderful and safe places for rodents to sleep ... especially in cold climates ... and ... if they get hunger pains, they can really mess up a cars wiring !!!!!!
Best to remove any engine cover you ever find ... on any vehicle ! I leaned my lesson when it took me over an hour to dig out all the chewed up paper & cardboard that a Field-Mouse stuffed in every nook & cranny ... including on top of my exhaust manifolds & pipes : that near disastrous episode ( FIRE-!) taught me !!! It was close ... as the nest was smoldering .... which was my first clue !!!!

 

The engine cover has no practical value. It just gets in the way when you want to do service or inspections. It also is very fragile. There was an EGR recall on the early 2019 Foresters. When I took it in to the dealer for the EGR replacement, the mechanic broke one of the tabs on the cover and did not admit his mistake. I made a subsequent return to the dealer for a no charge replacement.

 

The engine cover has no practical value. It just gets in the way when you want to do service or inspections.

Just like the silly little trap door that hides the engine oil drain plug.

 

My understanding is that manufacturers put covers on to keep people away from fiddling with parts they don't understand what they are for.

 

What is the basis for that understanding? If that were the case, why would Subaru use the cover on Foresters only?

 

I'm thinking Peter was trying to come up with a rational explanation for a part that is clearly optional by region and serves no legitimate purpose.
As to whether that intent was "to keep people away from fiddling with parts they don't understand" is correct or not...
I doubt it's possible to find out, but the cover does hide the components beneath it, which might deter some questions...

Myself, my 2 cents is that it's just for aesthetics to make the under hood look more simple/less busy to the uninformed public.

 

Esthetics : Pretty Designs to Hide-UGLY !
AKA, Lip-Stick-On-A-Pig !!!!!

 

After a dealer repair, my car died on the highway. I had to go under the hood to find the problem (air hose came off). The car was new to me (brand new) and I had never had a car with an engine cover before. I didn't even know how it came off (but it was easy to figure out).

The oval on my engine cover is supposed to have a blue and silver Subaru logo glued into it. The day my car died on the highway, the logo came off, and I threw it into the glove compartment and maybe later, into the toolbox in the garage (I forget where it is). So when I open the hood now I see the engine cover and the empty oval with nothing but glue residue in it, and I'm reminded of all the dealer screwups.

I'd have to go look at the car to be sure, but the cover may have a bit of a funnel to direct air through the TMIC. Or it may help hold the rubber flaps on the bottom of the hood that direct air through the TMIC. But the TMIC would be a feature you don't have on the 2020.

 

I'm leaning towards it does nothing but hide the clutter on top of the engine. My move when the weather gets warmer is to pick out a cool color of heat paint and add some bling under the hood. Who sees it besides my independent mechanic at State inspection time and myself when I check the oil every month. Never rely on idiot lights. Sidebar: And why can't we see the level of the washer fluid anymore?

 

You'll have to ditch the engine cover anyway if you install an aftermarket strut tower brace. If you insist on keeping the engine cover, you'll have to go with the STI brace which is more expensive and less effective. Many people on this forum have removed the engine cover because they've installed aftermarket strut tower braces. I have yet to hear of any ill effects.

 

The engine cover and my Nameless strut tower brace fit together fine.

 

It is almost completely for appearance and maybe a little sound insulation along with a tiny bit of cover over the belts. On my FXT I have a cobb alternator cover instead of the OEM plastic cover. I think it looks a little better!

 

Iknow this is an older post, but these models dont come with a cover in some countries, Australia for example. I am currently looking to purchase one on my new to me, 2020.

 

Definitely should remove it! Um..., could you then put some stamps on it and mail it to me please?

 

Engine covers serve a purpose on many cars besides appearance and noise level. The plastic and insulation provides a barrier to heat soak. Paint on the hood may last little longer.

 

Still kicking around buying a new one for my FB25. The threaded brass inserts are present on intake. Tried to find someone locally to fit theirs on my car to verify parts needed for attachment.
Cannot find a picture of what screws into the brass inserts. And how it attaches in the front.
The part number is SOA14025AA560. Appears to be just cover and no mounting hardware.

 

A question for Forester 2019+ owners. Does the front attach with two studs or a stud on driver side and a screw on passenger side of engine?
My alternator cover, like the Aussie Foresters, screws to alternator and has a stud at the other end.

 

There are two ball studs on the front that it snaps into. Two slide in fasteners in the rear that allow you to pull it forward after lifting the front.