ES300 Engine Cover Missing and Strange Smell

[vercimber]

Hello, everyone.

Unfortunately my first post on the forum is a negative one. I hope someone can help me out with this problem.

Recently my 1997 ES300's hood was broken into and someone removed the silver square engine cover with the Lexus emblem and the engine information. My first question: is the cover integral to the car's operation? I ask this because I've gotten mixed messages from car "experts" in my area. I also ask because, after riding in the car for brief periods of time, I notice a strange smell, like oil-- (the smell is actually closer to roasted almonds).

Does anyone know where to locate a reliable source for a '97-'98 engine cover, and can anyone offer suggestions as to why this weird smell has come about?

[Eye8Pussies]

not sure about the smell- though you should take a look around the engine bay to see if any caps/valves/vacuum hoses are missing

and no, the v-bank cover is not vital to the car's operation. all it does is make the engine bay look nice.

to find another one, check junkyards- it's not worth it to buy one from the dealership

[ghettosled]

someone broke into your car and only stole the plastic cover for the motor?? what a stupid theif!

i concur with eye8pussies (*snicker, snicker* i ate pussies...), the cover is only decorative. did the vandals open the hood by pulling the release from inside the car? maybe their clothes had oil on them and they sat in your car leaving a nice stench behind.