Engine under tray missing?

Head_The_Ball

fred246 wrote: »

... On my current car I calculated that I had taken the undertray off 16 times servicing it. I took it to a transmission specialist for DMF/clutch and specifically asked that they replace it. They put it back but broke the plastic and snapped a fitting. I had done it 16 times and not damaged it at all.

Perhaps you weakened and damaged it enough during those 16 removals and replacements that it finally failed on the 17th removal.

The last straw.

Jackmydad

EdGasketTheSecond wrote: »

They are a right pain if you have to do a simple job like change the oil filter. My mercedes has not suffered from not having one at all; lost around 70K miles ago.

This is about what I think.
Mine's still in place. i wouldn't worry if it went.
Does possibly keeps the engine bay a bit cleaner. (?)
A right regal pain if you drop a screw etc. and it lodges on there. I needed a bendy camera to retrieve one from mine.

Jonesya

EdGasketTheSecond wrote: »

They are a right pain if you have to do a simple job like change the oil filter. My mercedes has not suffered from not having one at all; lost around 70K miles ago.

I had an old Rover like that, right pain, but with the current car they've thought about it and put in an access flap, so you can do an oil change with the tray still in place.

50Twuncle

I was told by "Honest John" that an intact engine undertray was a requirement of the new stricter MOT test ...
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mot-changes-from-may-2018-guidance-for-mot-testers/mot-inspection-manual-changes


New or changed inspection

There are new or changed inspections for:

• strengthening plates and fastening
• exhaust fumes entering cabin failure, which has been extended to all vehicles
• inspection of drive shafts, which has been extended to all transmission shafts - including prop shafts
• drive belts and chains
• body condition, which now includes unsafe modifications, component security, including undertrays as well as body pillars on goods vehicles

Jackmydad

50Twuncle wrote: »

I was told by "Honest John" that an intact engine undertray was a requirement of the new stricter MOT test ...
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mot-changes-from-may-2018-guidance-for-mot-testers/mot-inspection-manual-changes


New or changed inspection

There are new or changed inspections for:

• strengthening plates and fastening
• exhaust fumes entering cabin failure, which has been extended to all vehicles
• inspection of drive shafts, which has been extended to all transmission shafts - including prop shafts
• drive belts and chains
• body condition, which now includes unsafe modifications, component security, including undertrays as well as body pillars on goods vehicles

It says "undertray security" in the linked page.
Doesn't say "presence of"
So is removing the undertray a fail?
I can't really see myself that removing one is dangerous. (But I'm prepared to be wrong on that)
The security of one if fitted is important though.

AdrianC

Go to the horse's mouth, not poorly-worded rehashing by journos.


The undertray should be checked for security, and would be a fail if it's loose. But it being missing is NOT a fail.


https://www.mot-testing.service.gov.uk/documents/manuals/class3457/Section-6-Body-Structure-and-Attachments.html#section_6.2.1

Nilrem

Head_The_Ball wrote: »

Perhaps you weakened and damaged it enough during those 16 removals and replacements that it finally failed on the 17th removal.

The last straw.

I'd imagine 16 removal and refitting cycles would be well beyond what the manufacturer really expected of the tray.

If they're made of thin metal or plastic, or fibrous materials things tend not to last many removal cycles, especially when they're in an enviroment as harsh as the underside of the car (where they'll be subject to vibrations, heat, water, salt, cold etc).
Even just plain bolts in such places have a tendency to rust solid.

AdrianC wrote: »

Go to the horse's mouth, not poorly-worded rehashing by journos.


The undertray should be checked for security, and would be a fail if it's loose. But it being missing is NOT a fail.


https://www.mot-testing.service.gov.uk/documents/manuals/class3457/Section-6-Body-Structure-and-Attachments.html#section_6.2.1

So basically like most things on a car, which usually fall under the "if fitted must work/be secure" rule to allow for the fact that they're not on every model of every car:)

poppasmurf_bewdley

These under engine trays are designed to keep - and trap - any lose nut or bolt, or small tool, which you may drop in the engine bay, never to be seen again.

Probably another EU regulation designed to just frustrate the British!