Engine under cover

GerLeal

GerLeal

Regular Member
American Zeds
Joined
Mar 30, 2014
Points
22
Location
Mexico
Model of Z
2.2i
Yesterday while driing my Z, windows open, I suddenly heard a plastic rubbing sound. Initially I thought of capturing some kind pf plastic bag underneath.
I stopped and looked under the car and to my surprise I saw the plastic under engine cover dropped to the floor. Somehow the way it was supported just broke off. I finished removing the under cover and now Im wondering if there are any side effects of using the car without this engine cover as I assume it will take me sone time to repair or replace it..
 
I'm no mechanical expert but it obviously depends on how long you plan on having the under cover off the car for.

Also road conditions - if there's lots of salt and grit (as there is this time of year) on the road then driving the car without the under cover may cause corrosion to start building up around that area, especially if under body components haven't been sealed in the past.

Having said that I'm sure @BMBabe mentioned that her m was missing a cover and so must have ran without one for a while without any adverse affects.
 
The plastic is quite brittle and can fracture. It's also not a fool-proof mounting arrangement as it needs to come off quickly for servicing.

I think and I might be talking out of it, that it's there to help with air flow for cooling purposes.

I run mine without and have had no issues.

The sump protection comes from the chassis brace further back.
 
Hi ya not sure if I have read this correctly
Do you mean the undertrays?
 
it may well get dirtier underneath, with some road dust getting around the bulkhead, depends on the weather. Mine had the one that sits between the front bumper & radiator missing for a year or so in all weathers, not an issue.
 
Have always had the front bumper to rad shield fitted but there was no under engine cover fitted when I got the car ~7 years ago and it has not been a problem.
From a practical point of view, the lack of one makes it easier to look from underneath and monitor for oil leaks. Also, if you are working on the car and drop something it's generally straight through and easily retrieved.
There has been some previous discussion as to whether they were actually fitted on early models although OEM indicates they were original.
 
jonco said:
Also, if you are working on the car and drop something it's generally straight through and easily retrieved.
Click to expand...

Which happens every single time!

No covers on mine apart from the front bumper and never had any troubles without one fitted.
 
My Z3 has no cover under the radiator and now the power steering pipes need replacing due to corrosion!! BMW don’t have these pipes any more on the shelf! So will be made up by a local company!! Will source a cover asap
 
BMW say its for aerodynamics and to keep the engine bay cleaner. Not sure about the aero claim but I would certainly replace mine if it broke just to help keep the wet and dirt away from the engine and its components why would you not? I'm sure one of the resident breakers could find you one.
 
£15 each, there are a couple of different ones. All used, collection only, postage is a pain given their size and fragility
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top