I made a flat cover that connected to the studs on the top of the engine with standoffs, I did give it a slight curve but it still vibrated such that I could hear it while driving.
On it's 1st run out it snapped the top of the stud off, I haven't attempted another yet.
On the face of it the case for a cover seems common sense but I am now not convinced a cover is worth it. There must me lots of GDI's out there with no cover that have no issues, mine included which has done 40k miles, I am sensible when washing it and put something between the louvers and the engine but when driving in rain the heat from the engine will burn off any water that gets in.
I'm going to make an engine cover for mine - this is what I found on my 2020 GDi with 9300 miles on the clock! The rusted plug is at the radiator end of the engine. I always put an old heavy towel on the engine when washing tha car and try to minimise the amount of water getting through the louvres. Part of me thinks the rusted plug wasn't fitted correctly at manufacture.
![[Linked Image]](https://www.tm-img.com/images/2023/12/21/plugs.md.jpeg)
