How to remove engine compartment panels?

cobras9 · 05-24-2010, 11:09 AM

Want to remove engine compartment panels on my 2000 360. They are heavily soiled and will be easier to clean outside the engine bay. 1.) What are the OEM panels made of? 2.) What tool is used to remove the 8 fasteners? 3.) How to remove the hood shock at the lower anchor position? New owner of this car in March this year. Any help much appreciated.

Gcalo · 05-24-2010, 04:53 PM

You can do that. Removing the panel screws is easy.

The gas strut, if I remember correctly, is a bit tricky.

Carefully pop off the U-shaped metal band at bottom of the fitting and there is a screw in there.

Again I can't remember fully.

Griot's has a silicone spray called "Engine Bay Dressing" that is fantastic to maintain the appearance of items in engine compartment.

I am sure others offer the same for a whole lot less $, but I do not know who.

Just take your time with the lower strut fitting.

cobras9 · 05-24-2010, 05:39 PM

Thanks Gcalo for the feedback. Would you happen to know the type of head for the screws holding the panels? I have a common set of Allen wrenches but none fit this head.

Gcalo · 05-24-2010, 06:54 PM

They are metric and also the star headed tool works. I cannot remember what tha bit is called.

I have lost my mind. Sorry.

It's about 3-4 mm I believe.

It's been a while since I took those off.

If you are going to do work on that car you need the correct tools!

Just got back part of my mind! It's a torx bit.

Get a set of those and metric allen wrenches..

cobras9 · 05-25-2010, 04:41 AM

Thanks Greg for your help. I'll let you know how this turns out. Will use rubbing compound to remove stains as I think the panels are painted aluminum. The drip channel looks like it is probably plastic. This car has 7200 miles and except for these panels it is spotless.

Gcalo · 05-25-2010, 05:50 AM

They do clean up easily.

Try the Griots spray. It leaves a very nice finish.

cobras9 · 05-25-2010, 01:19 PM

Rubed out with Meguiar's Ultimate Compound and then applied 1 coat of Meguiar's Tec Wax 2.0. Some of the stains are etched in and I didn't want to over rub them. I'll order the Griot's Engine Bay Dressing to finish them off.

The panel fasteners were Torx 15, and the struts popped right off once the retainer bands were removed. Thanks again for your help!!

Gcalo · 05-25-2010, 01:32 PM

WOW look great.

I just can't remember every bolt and screw on the car but I do pretty well.

Very nice indeed. Now I have to do that!!!

05-24-2010, 11:09 AM	#1
cobras9 Owner Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Ferrari Life Posts: 7 Name: Steve	How to remove engine compartment panels? Want to remove engine compartment panels on my 2000 360. They are heavily soiled and will be easier to clean outside the engine bay. 1.) What are the OEM panels made of? 2.) What tool is used to remove the 8 fasteners? 3.) How to remove the hood shock at the lower anchor position? New owner of this car in March this year. Any help much appreciated. Attached Images Last edited by cobras9; 05-24-2010 at 11:39 AM. Reason: add photo

05-25-2010, 01:19 PM	#7
cobras9 Owner Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Ferrari Life Posts: 7 Name: Steve	Before and after shot Rubed out with Meguiar's Ultimate Compound and then applied 1 coat of Meguiar's Tec Wax 2.0. Some of the stains are etched in and I didn't want to over rub them. I'll order the Griot's Engine Bay Dressing to finish them off. The panel fasteners were Torx 15, and the struts popped right off once the retainer bands were removed. Thanks again for your help!! Attached Images

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05-24-2010, 04:53 PM	#2
Gcalo Owner Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Ramon, Calif Ferrari Life Posts: 3,613	You can do that. Removing the panel screws is easy. The gas strut, if I remember correctly, is a bit tricky. Carefully pop off the U-shaped metal band at bottom of the fitting and there is a screw in there. Again I can't remember fully. Griot's has a silicone spray called "Engine Bay Dressing" that is fantastic to maintain the appearance of items in engine compartment. I am sure others offer the same for a whole lot less $, but I do not know who. Just take your time with the lower strut fitting.

05-24-2010, 05:39 PM	#3
cobras9 Owner Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Ferrari Life Posts: 7 Name: Steve	Thanks Gcalo for the feedback. Would you happen to know the type of head for the screws holding the panels? I have a common set of Allen wrenches but none fit this head.

05-24-2010, 06:54 PM	#4
Gcalo Owner Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Ramon, Calif Ferrari Life Posts: 3,613	They are metric and also the star headed tool works. I cannot remember what tha bit is called. I have lost my mind. Sorry. It's about 3-4 mm I believe. It's been a while since I took those off. If you are going to do work on that car you need the correct tools! Just got back part of my mind! It's a torx bit. Get a set of those and metric allen wrenches..

05-25-2010, 04:41 AM	#5
cobras9 Owner Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Ferrari Life Posts: 7 Name: Steve	Thanks Greg for your help. I'll let you know how this turns out. Will use rubbing compound to remove stains as I think the panels are painted aluminum. The drip channel looks like it is probably plastic. This car has 7200 miles and except for these panels it is spotless.

05-25-2010, 05:50 AM	#6
Gcalo Owner Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Ramon, Calif Ferrari Life Posts: 3,613	They do clean up easily. Try the Griots spray. It leaves a very nice finish.

05-25-2010, 01:32 PM	#8
Gcalo Owner Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Ramon, Calif Ferrari Life Posts: 3,613	WOW look great. I just can't remember every bolt and screw on the car but I do pretty well. Very nice indeed. Now I have to do that!!!