What’s the first thing you check out when you open a car’s hood for the first time?

Efthreeoh · 12-08-2019, 05:58 AM

It could be a new car or just a car that you've never been under the hood of so the engine is new to you.

For me it's the layout and neatness of the electrical system.

Rmtt · 12-08-2019, 06:27 AM

If it has a dipstick....the fluids. Then like you just the general layout.

I've seen people try to sell cars with so much Armor All on plastic engine pieces, but it's like they only cleaned the very top as if the rest isn't visable.

VisualEcho · 12-08-2019, 08:23 AM

The intake manifold is always a big deal to me, and those cars where I can't see it, I just don't even bother opening the hood. I'm an 80's kid really, and miss the cool intakes of that era.

Feddersen · 12-08-2019, 08:25 AM

How much of the engine I can actually see.

chassis · 12-08-2019, 08:28 AM

Is the question in the context of buying the car, or looking out of curiosity?

If buying, I look at overall cleanliness, for fluid leaks, fluid level and general disrepair.

If out of curiosity, I look at the induction and fuel system, then go from there.

Efthreeoh · 12-08-2019, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chassis

Is the question in the context of buying the car, or looking out of curiosity?

If buying, I look at overall cleanliness, for fluid leaks, fluid level and general disrepair.

If out of curiosity, I look at the induction and fuel system, then go from there.

As a car enthusiast w/curiosity.

Efthreeoh · 12-08-2019, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VisualEcho

The intake manifold is always a big deal to me, and those cars where I can't see it, I just don't even bother opening the hood. I'm an 80's kid really, and miss the cool intakes of that era.

The intake tract was my first response I wrote as an answer, but then changed it; but it's sort of tied with the electrical layout/layout of the engine compartment. When I looked at the then new Cadillac ATS, the engine compartment layout is quite nice and tidy. Modern turbo BMWs are hideous.

In the past 15 years, the Ford GT is my favorite car. I seriously looked at buying one when they came out in '05/'06, but the financial situation would have taxed me too much. I thought I'd pick one up a few years later for half price (it being a Ford and all). Boy, was I wrong on that

VisualEcho · 12-08-2019, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

The intake tract was my first response I wrote as an answer, but then changed it; but it's sort of tied with the electrical layout/layout of the engine compartment. When I looked at the then new Cadillac ATS, the engine compartment layout is quite nice and tidy. Modern turbo BMWs are hideous.

In the past 15 years, the Ford GT is my favorite car. I seriously looked at buying one when they came out in '05/'06, but the financial situation would have taxed me too much. I thought I'd pick one up a few years later for half price (it being a Ford and all). Boy, was I wrong on that

I think my love affair with intake manifolds started with the Corvette's 5.7 L tuned port injection intake runners. Damn I loved seeing those, and the top of the tires when the whole hood came up.

And yes, we all missed the boat on those original Ford GT"s. I know a guy that has made himself a millionaire on literally nothing but buying and selling Ford GT's.

3798j · 12-08-2019, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VisualEcho

The intake manifold is always a big deal to me...

^This...and never overlook how tidy (or un-tidy) things are.

VisualEcho · 12-08-2019, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3798j

^This...and never overlook how tidy (or un-tidy) things are.

Absolutely, I like my engine bay's like I like my vagina's.

I'm a sucker for ITB's as well.

vreihen16 · 12-08-2019, 11:57 AM

The first thing that I look for whenever I open a hood/bonnet is a bee/hornet/wasp nest by the radiator support, followed by rodent nests or snakes on the engine, and finally the prop rod to hold the hood up if it doesn't have gas struts or springs.....

RM7 · 12-08-2019, 06:24 PM

Mainly if I can see the engine, the headers, the valve-covers, and it's not some dipshit plastic covering it. My LS3 had a stupid cover over the intake manifold that was patterned similar to the intake manifold..

This is a good example on the LS7, dumb valve-cover covers and the intake cover in the middle is actually patterned kind of similar to the actual intake...but why put a cover on it, just show off what already looks good!

Salty Dog · 12-08-2019, 06:57 PM

$

Rmtt · 12-09-2019, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

Mainly if I can see the engine, the headers, the valve-covers, and it's not some dipshit plastic covering it. My LS3 had a stupid cover over the intake manifold that was patterned similar to the intake manifold..

This is a good example on the LS7, dumb valve-cover covers and the intake cover in the middle is actually patterned kind of similar to the actual intake...but why put a cover on it, just show off what already looks good!

My C6 was the same. When I installed the ported FAST LSXR 102 intake, I left it exposed. I also did an alternator cover.

N54Yankee · 12-09-2019, 08:05 AM

First thing I did after in supercharged my C6 was remove the beauty covers. Not such for for the looks of them but to not trap the extra heat produced. I know it’s marginal but every bit helps. It is a pain to get some leaves caught in the mass of wires and fuel rails but usually uncoiling the compressor hose and giving it a couple blasts takes care of it. It does force me to clean the entire engine bay more often then I normally would have which is good.

When I’m checking out a new car for purchase I count the cylinders, 8 is the preferred number and if only 6 I need to see F/I. Nice to see a dip stick also. My 135 is the first car own without one and it irritates me.

FuriouslyFast · 12-11-2019, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N54Yankee

First thing I did after in supercharged my C6 was remove the beauty covers. Not such for for the looks of them but to not trap the extra heat produced. I know it’s marginal but every bit helps. It is a pain to get some leaves caught in the mass of wires and fuel rails but usually uncoiling the compressor hose and giving it a couple blasts takes care of it. It does force me to clean the entire engine bay more often then I normally would have which is good.

When I’m checking out a new car for purchase I count the cylinders, 8 is the preferred number and if only 6 I need to see F/I. Nice to see a dip stick also. My 135 is the first car own without one and it irritates me.

Annoying that my HC has no trans dipstick

pennsiveguy · 12-11-2019, 10:15 AM

Depends on the car. If it's a performance car, I look at the induction system. If it's a daily driver or a tow vehicle or work truck, I look at all the fill caps and dip sticks to see what the "hassle factor" will be for routine maintenance.

Second thing I look at on a performance car is the front of my pants. If the hood's been open for at least a minute and I don't have a woody, I close the hood back up. Nothing more I need to see at that point.

clee1982 · 12-12-2019, 10:40 AM

coolant reservior..., that's a joke since my car warned me on low coolant, typical BMW now...

Darth One · 12-12-2019, 11:36 AM

I try to see if there’s even any ‘hood’ to open to see the engine. More and more of the cars i like (Porsche, McLaren) don’t even let you see it

JDC PDX · 12-13-2019, 10:37 PM

I always make sure there is plenty of blinker fluid in the reservoir.

Efthreeoh · 12-14-2019, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth One

I try to see if there’s even any ‘hood’ to open to see the engine. More and more of the cars i like (Porsche, McLaren) don’t even let you see it

In late 2014 when I started looking for a use sports coupe, I test drove the Cayman. It was a 2008 IIRC. It didn't fit me well. I didn't find it handled as magically I expected it to, being a mid-engine Porsche. But when you open the decklid and don't get to see the engine, well, that really kinda killed it for me.

Mingwan · 12-24-2019, 12:04 AM

How much plastic covers have been used to tart up the engine bay. Then the metal work.

12-08-2019, 05:58 AM	#1
Efthreeoh General 19947 Rep 19,265 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Verginny iTrader: (0)	What’s the first thing you check out when you open a car’s hood for the first time? It could be a new car or just a car that you've never been under the hood of so the engine is new to you. For me it's the layout and neatness of the electrical system. __________________ A manual transmission can be set to "comfort", "sport", and "track" modes simply by the technique and speed at which you shift it; it doesn't need "modes", modes are for manumatics that try to behave like a real 3-pedal manual transmission. If you can money-shift it, it's a manual transmission. "Yeah, but NO ONE puts an automatic trans shift knob on a manual transmission."
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

12-08-2019, 06:27 AM	#2
Rmtt Colonel 8199 Rep 2,250 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 128i, 2008 LS3 C6 Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: South Carolina iTrader: (3)	If it has a dipstick....the fluids. Then like you just the general layout. I've seen people try to sell cars with so much Armor All on plastic engine pieces, but it's like they only cleaned the very top as if the rest isn't visable. __________________ Everybody has a gameplan....until they get punched in the mouth.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-08-2019, 08:23 AM	#3
VisualEcho Banned 6659 Rep 4,140 Posts Drives: '18 M2 6MT Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Missouri iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 BMW M2 [10.00]	The intake manifold is always a big deal to me, and those cars where I can't see it, I just don't even bother opening the hood. I'm an 80's kid really, and miss the cool intakes of that era. Attached Images
	Appreciate 4 Efthreeoh19946.50 swanson764.00 clee1982791.00 xander_g1109.00 Quote

12-08-2019, 08:25 AM	#4
Feddersen Lieutenant 461 Rep 469 Posts Drives: X1 xDrive25i Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Denmark iTrader: (0)	How much of the engine I can actually see. __________________ DD: F48 X1 xDrive25i '20 - https://f48.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1703083 For fun: F22 M240i '19 - https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1644646 Previous BMW: Fully loaded F30, 335i https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1681247
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-08-2019, 08:28 AM	#5
chassis Colonel 8454 Rep 2,508 Posts Drives: 9Y0 Cayenne S Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Einbahnstraße iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 Porsche Cayenne S [7.69]	Is the question in the context of buying the car, or looking out of curiosity? If buying, I look at overall cleanliness, for fluid leaks, fluid level and general disrepair. If out of curiosity, I look at the induction and fuel system, then go from there.
	Appreciate 1 Joe2402932.00 Quote

12-08-2019, 11:57 AM	#11
vreihen16 Recovering Perfectionist 23430 Rep 1,043 Posts Drives: BMW-less :( Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Orange County, NY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 Mighty Freight ... [0.00] 2000 Audi TT Quattro [0.00] 1967 Formula Vee [0.00]	The first thing that I look for whenever I open a hood/bonnet is a bee/hornet/wasp nest by the radiator support, followed by rodent nests or snakes on the engine, and finally the prop rod to hold the hood up if it doesn't have gas struts or springs..... __________________ Currently BMW-less.
	Appreciate 1 Efthreeoh19946.50 Quote

12-08-2019, 06:24 PM	#12
RM7 Brigadier General 2985 Rep 3,447 Posts Drives: Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alaska iTrader: (0)	Mainly if I can see the engine, the headers, the valve-covers, and it's not some dipshit plastic covering it. My LS3 had a stupid cover over the intake manifold that was patterned similar to the intake manifold.. This is a good example on the LS7, dumb valve-cover covers and the intake cover in the middle is actually patterned kind of similar to the actual intake...but why put a cover on it, just show off what already looks good! __________________ Current: 2018 Camaro SS 1LE, 2023 Colorado ZR2. Former: BMW 428i Gran Coupe.
	Appreciate 2 Rmtt8199.00 Efthreeoh19946.50 Quote

12-08-2019, 06:57 PM	#13
Salty Dog Captain 3572 Rep 885 Posts Drives: Austin Mini,MBGLK, Porsche 993 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	$ Attached Images
	Appreciate 2 Rmtt8199.00 Efthreeoh19946.50 Quote

12-09-2019, 08:05 AM	#15
N54Yankee Lieutenant Colonel 2705 Rep 1,916 Posts Drives: N54 135\|Cobb\|M3 control arms Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	First thing I did after in supercharged my C6 was remove the beauty covers. Not such for for the looks of them but to not trap the extra heat produced. I know it’s marginal but every bit helps. It is a pain to get some leaves caught in the mass of wires and fuel rails but usually uncoiling the compressor hose and giving it a couple blasts takes care of it. It does force me to clean the entire engine bay more often then I normally would have which is good. When I’m checking out a new car for purchase I count the cylinders, 8 is the preferred number and if only 6 I need to see F/I. Nice to see a dip stick also. My 135 is the first car own without one and it irritates me. __________________ __________________ "The Constitution was never construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the press, or the rights of conscience; or to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms.” Samuel Adams
	Appreciate 1 Rmtt8199.00 Quote

12-11-2019, 10:15 AM	#17
pennsiveguy Major 3546 Rep 1,062 Posts Drives: F15 xDrive50i M-sport Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Edina, MN iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW X5 xDrive50i [0.00]	Depends on the car. If it's a performance car, I look at the induction system. If it's a daily driver or a tow vehicle or work truck, I look at all the fill caps and dip sticks to see what the "hassle factor" will be for routine maintenance. Second thing I look at on a performance car is the front of my pants. If the hood's been open for at least a minute and I don't have a woody, I close the hood back up. Nothing more I need to see at that point. __________________ 2017 F15 xDrive50i M Sport \| Superformance GT40 Roush 511 IR FE
	Appreciate 1 Efthreeoh19946.50 Quote

12-12-2019, 10:40 AM	#18
clee1982 Lieutenant Colonel 791 Rep 1,736 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW 540i xDrive Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW 540i xDrive [0.00]	coolant reservior..., that's a joke since my car warned me on low coolant, typical BMW now...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-12-2019, 11:36 AM	#19
Darth One drunk poster 6463 Rep 3,648 Posts Drives: M4 GTS \| E46 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	I try to see if there’s even any ‘hood’ to open to see the engine. More and more of the cars i like (Porsche, McLaren) don’t even let you see it
	Appreciate 2 Pig Farmer341.00 Efthreeoh19946.50 Quote

12-13-2019, 10:37 PM	#20
JDC PDX Car Guy 136 Rep 107 Posts Drives: See Garage List Below Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland iTrader: (0) Garage List 1990 Ferrari 348tb [0.00] 2019 M5 Competition [10.00] 2016 GT3 RS [0.00] 2016 675 LT Spider [10.00] 1997 911 RWB [10.00]	I always make sure there is plenty of blinker fluid in the reservoir. __________________ Joe
	Appreciate 1 Efthreeoh19946.50 Quote

12-24-2019, 12:04 AM	#22
Mingwan Major 1867 Rep 1,340 Posts Drives: X1 Individual custom paint Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Kansas iTrader: (0)	How much plastic covers have been used to tart up the engine bay. Then the metal work.
	Appreciate 1 Efthreeoh19946.50 Quote