First post here folks.

I was watching a Youtube segment on replacing a current generation TSX grille and I noticed that the first thing the technician had to do was to remove three black plastic? pieces that hide various components surrounding the engine. Do these pieces serve a purpose other than to hide the less attractive components adjacent to the engine itself? I have noticed these shrouds in other engine compartment shots from competing models in this price range. What is the story here?

It is time to retire our 94 Volvo. I will be visiting an Acura dealer for the first time next month. I'd rather not ask this kind of question then.

Based on what I saw in the grill video removing and reinstalling the stock TSX grill in order to paint it black or body color does not appear to be very difficult.

 

bump... no comments yet! I see from a few other engine photos here that the plastic engine compartment shrouds have been removed. Are they strictly cosmetic?

 

Yes, I believe they are strictly cosmetic. The V6 version has ever more plastic covering most of the engine compartment whereas the I4 version doesn't.

 

Could you link the video please

 

I dont think they are functional haha..mine might not even be on right now ..cant remember if I put it back on after working on my car last month haha

 

I went back to Youtube to find this video. I see that I was wrong about it being a TSX model. Odds are that the grill removal process would be similar for a TSX. About 5 minutes or less if the shrouds were not present.

Hope this link works.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urzWQlK5VZY