The attachment hardware for these things is grossly under-engineered for a part that might be removed and installed 40 times during the vehicle's life.
Has anybody removed there 'splash shield' aka 'belly pan' permanently
- Thread starter pbm
- Start date
There was a 1978 movie called The Betsy about a fictional car company. During the car design process, they discuss saving a $1.00 by eliminating a certain gizmo. One of the design engineers says something to the effect "it's only $1.00". Someone else says "yeah, but we're making one million of these cars so it's $1,000,000.00. So, I too believe every part on a car is there for a good reason.
Not a bad movie as I recall, plus Kathleen Beller spent a little time skinny dipping so there's that.....
Bingo!
Notice I never made a categorical statement that belly pans ore a one thing or another. There are many variations and we all can use our own judgment to either keep them or not.
In your specific example, I’m pretty sure most people would agree to keep the belly pan on.
Thanks, the belly pan on the Tundra isn’t much. That’ll keep debris out, but there’s no obvious benefit to cooling. If I were serious about four wheeling that truck, I would upgrade to either of the TRD, or one of the aftermarket engine pans for physical protection. If the pan were missing, I doubt the engine would care. The belts and other components are well above the path of debris under the truck, unlike a lower, FWD, transverse engine on a car.
The belly pan on all five Volvos, though has NACA ducts, and deflectors that direct air flow at specific spots inside the engine, like the turbo charger.
Again, I just don’t buy the argument, and I’m not saying that you made it, that belly pans are only for MPG/CAFE.
9 of the cars I’ve owned have had pans with very specific airflow management. It seems intentional, and therefore, important.
Sorry, I'm spending too much time on the reddit forums, where a lot people with the 2003 to 2008 Toyota Corollas have ran into the 299,999 mile odometer stuck issue. Several original owners say they've only had a few repairs for the 300k miles, like alternator, starter, etc.
I know that the 2003 to 2008 Toyota Corollas don't have a splash shield, so that is the analogy I was making, that if you can get to 300k miles without one, it might not really be needed. But not sure if a Ford would benefit from one.
These covers can conceal minor fluid leaks that you would have otherwise detected early on. A layer of sound deadening material can act like a sponge and you won't know that you have a problem until the leak becomes severe enough.
Some people would welcome this!
They're not critical but I bet there's less rust on one that has an undertray vs one that does not (varying across snow/no-snow regions and considering the age/mileage of the car.) When I used to work on evos with friends, the ones that did not run an undertray or only partial was much more dirty and rusted in the engine bay.
That’s what I’m saying. One less thing I have to deal with when oil change time comes. Took mine off probably at the first oil change I did after I bought it with 29K miles. Almost 88K miles on it and no issues.
Her 2015 Altima has a little over 103K miles and when she bought it new, first oil change I did I took it off. No cooling issues that I am aware of. Although on hers I will say the bottom pulley near the oil filter is exposed to water and whatnot, it is kinda rusty but I’ve been spraying surface shield on it here and there
Every car in my signature has a splash pan.
Besides keeping debris from the front of the engine they show any engine fluid loss quickly.
I want to see a bone dry pan.
Besides keeping debris from the front of the engine they show any engine fluid loss quickly.
I want to see a bone dry pan.
The under tray is an important aero device, I would keep it
The Ford splash shields are made of a felt like material and certainly won’t last the life of the vehicle. I replaced the shield on my 2014 two years ago with an aftermarket one and it already has 2 of the screw holes rounded out. It would have been easy for Ford to add an ‘access panel’ like Mazda so that the whole cover doesn’t have to be removed….which would add to the longevity of the cover.
Previous owner of my car had cut a permanent access hole into the splash shield for the oil plug and oil filter. It’s actually quite handy mod. Lost about 20% of the splash shield but there’s no need to touch to the splash shield anymore for the oil change, the shield can stay in its place.
Look on eBay for $100 belly pan. My daughter tore hers off similar Acura ILX taking a class 6 road in NH following Apple Maps . (Jeep trail).
I leave them on.
Unlike the LS400, the LS430 has a little access cover in the under cover so you can get to the oil filter. The Highlander has under covers under the engine and side covers down to the rear suspension.
Unlike the LS400, the LS430 has a little access cover in the under cover so you can get to the oil filter. The Highlander has under covers under the engine and side covers down to the rear suspension.
As I'm 77 and live in a townhouse, my two Hondas are dealer serviced. Both have aluminum pans that are secured by 5 quarter-turn fasteners and 2 Phillips (probably JIS) screws. The technician that does all my services told me, yes, they serve a purpose and generally takes him less than 2 minutes total to R&R on a lift.
