Engine under tray missing?

Options
john432
john432 Posts: 163 Forumite
First Post First Anniversary
in Motoring
Had car serviced a few weeks ago, and have just noticed the engine bottom cover / protection cover / under tray is missing. Will be taking this up with garage on Monday.
So, views, as they have likely lost or misplaced the cover, is it worth getting a replacement?

Car is a pug 308 hdi diesel.

Thanks.
«1

Comments

  • AdrianC
    AdrianC Posts: 42,189 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post
    Options
    They often disintegrate, or fixings break up or seize, and they simply won't go back on again. And that's assuming they took it off, and it didn't fall off while you were driving - you certainly can't prove either way. I doubt you want to know the cost of a new one.

    The purpose is mostly to meet drive-by noise regs. If you've not noticed it being louder, then it shows how much use they are.
  • john432
    john432 Posts: 163 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary
    Options
    What about the fact it gives protection to the bottom of engine, ie sump etc?
  • AdrianC
    AdrianC Posts: 42,189 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post
    Options
    john432 wrote: »
    What about the fact it gives protection to the bottom of engine, ie sump etc?
    It doesn't. They're really quite flimsy, usually made out of some pressed fibrous material. If you hit anything substantial enough to damage the steel sump, the undertray would offer zero protection.

    For many years, some versions of a car would come with, some without - often a straight diesel/petrol split, precisely because of the noise question. As drive-by noise regs have become stricter, they've become ubiquitous.

    Oh, yes - and at autobahn speeds, they might offer some fairly limited aerodynamic benefit, but not at UK motorway speeds - and certainly not in town.
  • fred246
    fred246 Posts: 3,620 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post
    Options
    Damaging your car is all part of the service if you take it to a garage. It's pretty standard. They will say it wasn't on in the first place. Lies are very normal when you are a mechanic.
  • Richard53
    Richard53 Posts: 3,173 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic First Post
    Options
    I lost mine (Ford Mondeo) driving a weeny bit too fast through some deep water. I never replaced it, and never missed it. As others have said, it might make a small difference to noise and aerodynamics, but nothing you'd notice. It was flimsy plastic, so no protection at all. Next time you see an off-road equipped Land Rover, look under the front for the stuff people fit to actually protect their undersides. It will be thick steel or alloy and weigh a ton.
    If someone is nice to you but rude to the waiter, they are not a nice person.
  • fred246
    fred246 Posts: 3,620 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post
    Options
    AdrianC wrote: »
    - you certainly can't prove either way.

    You can see how a mechanic's mind works. Customer can't prove it - lie to him. They are not qualified. They are not registered. They are not professionals. Lying is normal. It is expected. If I ever take my car in to a garage which is rare I take loads of photos from every direction before it goes in. The mechanic would still say you couldn't prove what date they were taken, it's probably just fallen off etc. 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.
  • System
    System Posts: 178,094 Community Admin
    Photogenic Name Dropper First Post
    Options
    I see fred is on his weekly anti-garage rant. Why didn't you just replace the DMF and clutch yourself Fred given that mechanics are useless and you're a mechanical god?
  • ratrace
    ratrace Posts: 1,009 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post
    Options
    Tarambor wrote: »
    I see fred is on his weekly anti-garage rant. Why didn't you just replace the DMF and clutch yourself Fred given that mechanics are useless and you're a mechanical god?


    The type my lecturer called "Bar mechanic" as soon as they talk a load of bs comes flying out
    “People are caught up in an egotistic artificial rat race to display a false image to society. We want the biggest house, fanciest car, and we don't mind paying the sky high mortgage to put up that show. We sacrifice our biggest assets our health and time, We feel happy when we see people look up to us and see how successful we are”

    Rat Race
  • James2k
    James2k Posts: 300 Forumite
    Options
    they also affect airflow around the car. less efficiency without the tray, however small.
  • EdGasketTheSecond
    EdGasketTheSecond Posts: 2,558 Forumite
    First Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper First Post
    Options
    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 discussion has been closed.
★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 343.2K Banking & Borrowing
  • 250.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 449.7K Spending & Discounts
  • 235.3K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 608.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 173.1K Life & Family
  • 247.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 15.9K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards