Vacant mounts on engine

Those are for optional components or for components not used anymore [ Also might be required on a different vehicle . [SUV, car etc.]that uses same engine. My Victory motorcycle has a threaded post that had a component that had been discontinued on later models. My motorcycle also has a plastic plug filling a hole where a steering lock used to be on previous models.Rather then make a new part,they plugged the hole.

Edizzle888 said:

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Thank you for your pictures. Looks like the dealership never put it back after doing my spark plugs.

Ingeniero39 said:

Thank you for your pictures. Looks like the dealership never put it back after doing my spark plugs.

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Yeah I was comparing too.

I guess that is a heat shield?

There is an insulator over the valve covers, where is it?

Hunter62 said:

I guess that is a heat shield?

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It's an insulator it's design function is to help speed up the warming up process as to save fuel long term at vehicle startup. The colorado gets to warm-up temp faster than any other vehicle I ever owned, honestly speaking.

carloliveira said:

It's an insulator it's design function is to help speed up the warming up process as to save fuel long term at vehicle startup. The colorado gets to warm-up temp faster than any other vehicle I ever owned, honestly speaking.

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I’d argue it’s more then that.

I’ve seen dealerships ‘lose’ heat shields like these. And they end up burning holes in hoses and wires sometimes tens of thousands of miles down the line.

Snipesy said:

I’d argue it’s more then that.

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It's 2nd function acts as a sound deadener

carloliveira said:

It's 2nd function acts as a sound deadener

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The diesel's cover has that function.

carloliveira said:

It's an insulator it's design function is to help speed up the warming up process as to save fuel long term at vehicle startup. The colorado gets to warm-up temp faster than any other vehicle I ever owned, honestly speaking.

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Thanks for letting me know. I'll take it up to the dealership

carloliveira said:

It's an insulator it's design function is to help speed up the warming up process as to save fuel long term at vehicle startup. The colorado gets to warm-up temp faster than any other vehicle I ever owned, honestly speaking.

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naw, I would bet it for noise and heat protection. No way that would help it warm up.

Ingeniero39 said:

Thanks for letting me know. I'll take it up to the dealership

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either someone forgot or got lazy. Or worse....destroyed them while removing them most likely because they never put them back on. I used to work with guys like that.
Get ready for a speech on how they aren't needed and such.
If that happens tell the jackass to take it up with GM engineers and put them back on.
Then AFTER you get them back on tell the service manager they have hack mechanics!

Those are for the optional flux capacitor.

I would have the GM with me when I brought it to the Service Managers attention. A good as. chewing would help stop that from happening in the future.

It's called "Valve Cover Insulator" Right side p/n 12659896. 2016-2021 GM Valve Cover Insulator 12659896 | OEM GM Parts,
Left side p/n 12659897. 2016-2021 GM Valve Cover Insulator 12659897 | OEM GM Parts

I think they are used to cut down on valve train noise. I saw a video on a Ford Eco-Sport engine. When he removed the insulator you could definitely hear the increase in valve train noise.

billsite34 said:

It's called "Valve Cover Insulator" Right side p/n 12659896. 2016-2021 GM Valve Cover Insulator 12659896 | OEM GM Parts,
Left side p/n 12659897. 2016-2021 GM Valve Cover Insulator 12659897 | OEM GM Parts

I think they are used to cut down on valve train noise. I saw a video on a Ford Eco-Sport engine. When he removed the insulator you could definitely hear the increase in valve train noise.

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You are exactly correct. This "insulator" is designed to reduce valvetrain noise (NVH issue). No big deal if it is damaged/removed. when I replaced my sparkplugs and damaged mine during the process. They've been off for a year and +20,000 miles with no issues.