An engine cover assembly having an integrally attached captive fastener or part-in-assembly fastener for attachment to an engine is disclosed. The engine cover assembly includes an engine cover having a fastener aperture formed in a recessed area thereof and a captive fastener assembly integrally attached to the cover. The captive fastener assembly includes an elongated fastener having a head or shoulder, a load limiting spacer disposed next to the shoulder of the elongated fastener, and a load limiter positioned next to the load limiting spacer. The load limiter has shoulders formed at both ends. The elongated fastener has a threaded end for attachment to a threaded insert positioned in the engine. Insulators are attached to the load limiting spacer and are positioned to either side of an area of the engine cover adjacent the fastener aperture, thus capturing the engine cover between the elongated fastener head and the load limiter.