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Engine covers (the ones underneath) - decorative or essential?

G

gball

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E51 Owner
London
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Location
Reading, UK
First Name
Gordon
Elgrand
E51
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I don't think this is technical - it's more an opinion question. As I was replacing the washer pump motor today and I had the Elgrand up on jacks, I noticed that there are a couple of covers missing from the bottom of the engine bay. It looks like they cover things like the lower part of the fanbelt and probably oil sump plugs.

I am absolutely sure that those who want a good looking E51 will ensure the covers are there and polished nicely. But do they do anything apart from make it slightly cleaner to service the car? I'm sure the last car I had didn't have any covers - you just had bare metalwork. But perhaps having bits of tarmac flying into the engine at 70mph is actually not good.

What are people's thoughts? Sadly after 20 years of great service (it's an 06 model), there is a fair amount of faded paintwork and chippings - so I'm not going to take it to a show anytime soon. So ... looks or protection?
 
The undertray covers were missing off of mine when I got it. I ended up getting a set from eBay for next to nothing.

I’m sure it would probably survive without them… But I thought it would be better to have just in case, as I do take mine on Euro trips.
 
I think the front one helps (just a bit) to support the front bumper, pushing a lot of air without it might put more pressure on the top corners, then with the covers the air might run under a bit smoother than without ( bottom of wrc cars are flat)
Also stops the muck getting to places you don't want it to, crank sensor springs to mind.
It's supposed to do there for a reason, that's my take
 
gball said:
I don't think this is technical - it's more an opinion question. As I was replacing the washer pump motor today and I had the Elgrand up on jacks, I noticed that there are a couple of covers missing from the bottom of the engine bay. It looks like they cover things like the lower part of the fanbelt and probably oil sump plugs.

I am absolutely sure that those who want a good looking E51 will ensure the covers are there and polished nicely. But do they do anything apart from make it slightly cleaner to service the car? I'm sure the last car I had didn't have any covers - you just had bare metalwork. But perhaps having bits of tarmac flying into the engine at 70mph is actually not good.

What are people's thoughts? Sadly after 20 years of great service (it's an 06 model), there is a fair amount of faded paintwork and chippings - so I'm not going to take it to a show anytime soon. So ... looks or protection?
Click to expand...
Does help keep the salty spray away?
 
Thanks - yes, I think it is worth doing something. I can't find a cheap replacement, but I think it's not going to be too hard to make from a bit of flat abs sheet. Another job for next time I'm under the car!
 
I agree with @mr james that the front (front) undertray is much more important than the rear (front) undertray, the front one helps support the bumper, in fact it adds a lot of strength and support to the front bumper. The rear one, mah, I took mine off once and didn't bother refitting it, I still haven't bothered even though I had my Elgrand up on the ramp the other week and it did occur to me I could've fitted it in about 1 minute while it was already up on the ramp.
 
From what I can gather he is talking about the undertray inspection access plate, not the complete splash guard.


IMG_0569.jpeg
 
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