I wish they put the "scoopy vent" in a better place. Mine gets a lot of dirt in it.

 

I noticed that foam last week during a random check of my engine. It's very close to falling off. I'd love to know if I can rip this off or not, so anyone who hears an official word, please let us know. If it needs to stay, I suppose I could find a way to secure it more permanently.

 

Mine was pretty loose too. I took it off for now, but am pondering if it's worth reattaching more securely.

 

My foam is still in place. It seems to me that, if the double-sided tape that sticks the foam onto the (hot) radiator below, were instead on the top side of the foam, and stuck it onto the (cool) supporting bracket above, the problem likely wouldn't arise. If mine comes loose, I might try this. The purpose of the foam isn't clear to me, but perhaps it's to prevent air flow through this gap, and force it through the radiator.

Stan

 

that's weird?!? My foam is still in place as well (I just checked yesterday when bringing it in for my 10K so-called "maintenance"). But my double-side tape is stuck to the frame/bracket above, not the radiator. Well... it's actually stuck at ~45 degrees above the radiator (vs. 90 degrees, i.e. directly on top above), i.e more towards the front of the car. That said, the tape pieces are not glued to the radiator itself. The whole contraption does feel kindly flimsy, though, I have to admit.

Mmmm, not a bad theory! Stan, your observations/contributions are always very helpful, thanks!

 

My foam is in place and doesn't look like it is going anywhere any time soon.

 

At 15K miles my foam was in place. However now at 18K miles it has come loose... I've removed it to avoid the chance of it resting against the catalytic converter and causing the burning smell others have reported. There was no "sticky" material left on the foam. If anyone knows of a good reason to replace it, let us know! Otherwise I am not going to worry about it.

Here is a photo of the loose foam before I removed it today:

 

I'd replace it, rather than leaving it off. The foam is obviously part of the sound deadining effort and with it gone, highway driving may be noisier.

 

Thanks for the picture, Nash. I couldn't find the foam in my car when this was being discussed previously. I just checked and sure enough I have one, too. Mine is not hanging down as yours. It is actually located resting on the bottom of the same area. If mine were to come loose it would have to lift up first.

I'll keep a watch on it, but now I see where it belongs if it comes loose.

 

I wonder if this is a KY vs Japan issue?