They catch tools and small parts too; but when you're working topside, sometimes it's comforting to hear something hit the floor.

Some folks experimented and found that coolant temps were within a degree with and without the panels. The difference is engine sound levels in Diesels (someone with a decibel meter and quantify but I can hear the difference) and heat soak when you shut off the engine. To me that's the trade-off - noise vs heat soak.

Sixto
87 300D