I just traded in my '97 A8 for a 2005 S4. It has the 4.2 V8 and appears to be a B6 because the exhaust tips are not doubled.

I took delivery today, and when I looked under the hood when I was showing the car to my friends I noticed a big blank space. It looks like a canister of some sort clips in here. I think I circled it properly in the picture - any ideas? I really appreciate any thoughts. This is a picture of an engine with the part there. In my compartment there is an empty gap there and what looks like a metal sleeve where something cylindrical would clip in.



[IMG]local://upfiles/17860/9651AAA9E8E841A8BF2B4E9F664B8773.jpg[/IMG]

 

Thats normal, but you are missing an engine cover, which could be why it looks so empty!

 

Looks like youre actually missing both your side engine plastics

 

^ yep

 

Actually, that is not a picture of my engine. That is a picture of someone else's. The thing I circled is missing from my car. Do S4's have plastic shrouding? I was wondering that too. My A8 had plastic shrouding all over.

 

mine does but I took it all off cause i am lazy

 

LOL - well then since you can clearly see your engine...do you know what is missing there?

 

Heres my engine bay, with and without the plastics:

 

Wood - Thanks for the clarification. I see I am missing a plastic shroud. And in answer to my original query, whatever I am missing, you are missing too. My buddy suggested it may be a slot to put a diagnostic tool in - makes brilliant sense.

I think my side shroud piece was removed because the strut was moved. I wonder if that effects engine cooling or if it is just for looks.

 

it's just for looks, the heat shield on the hood does more heat reflecting than the plastic, i wouldn't worry too much about that piece, as long as you aren't throwing any codes. and if memory serves me correctly, i remember it looking the same on other b5's and 6's