Engine cover securing cap alternatives?

[C.A.R.]

I'm down to zero now.

Those stupid little twist-fit caps which secure the engine cover on (only they don't, cos they work themselves loose) have now all vacated my engine bay.

There are several 'kits' on eBay ranging from £7 for a pattern part set of 4 up to a frankly fuckwit-only purchase of around £20 for some nuts and bolts.

Does anyone know what thread these are, what the thread length / spacer size is and what the diameter of the hole in the engine cover plastic is?

I would measure it, but I don't have my car today.

Thinking this could be done incredibly cheaply, given how cheap stainless steel fasteners are.

[R1-Mini]

I've got a set on my Cabby which i bought of Ebay
Just the standard replacements, and at 1st did have a couple come of but then i had a close look at the bit that bolt to the engine and the little cut outs for the spring clip to sit in was not as bit as it should have been so got a Stanley blade and made the slots a little bigger
Took the engine cover off loads of times now without losing the round clips
So i'd say just get the standard replacements and just trim the bits a little and all should be good

[DeeTurbo]

There a m6 fitting. You could get some m6 stud cut to size and then adjust the height of the cover with a nut under the it. To secure the cover you could use a wing nut or because you like RC stuff, drill a hole in the side of the stud and use an R clip.

[Piggy]

Use four m6 rubber exhaust bobbins. Cheap and simlple

[Frosty]

Bin the cover i think is the best option IMO

[C.A.R.]

Yea but I have precious little ears fella, can't be dealing with the rattle rattle.

Straight-thru exhaust did you say?

The HDi engine cover should help to dampen the noise a little bit. Especially from those injectors, tick tick tick!

[Slam Wagon]

Piggys idea looks the best, can get some pretty coloured dome nuts to go ontop then.

[Toms306]

The cover does make a noticeable difference to noise tbh! With that, a full bonnet carpet and a good undertray the noise is significantly lower!

As for the clips, I realised I'd been fitting them wrong for years! They twist off, but just push on! Id been twisting both ways so they weren't sitting properly....oops. Having now realised how they fit, I haven't lost a single one since.

[C2K]

I broke two in 9 years and never lost one. I dont understand how people manage to fit them badly..

[HDi--Power]

I use nice big R clips on mine, none have ever come off

[Quinny]

Renault exhaust bobbins are the way forward: (Similar to these.)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-0-HDI-Engine...1058534160

Got them on my 406 HDi.

[C.A.R.]

I cheaped out in the end and bought some pattern part replacements. Just too lazy haha