Plastic under engine cover falling off

[tedda222]

Hi,

I have Skoda Octavia 1.9sdi and the plastic cover that sits underneath the engine is falling off.

Half of it has cracked and actually come off so it is sagging in the middle and scraping across the floor.

I want to take it off but want to check it is not essential and that it won't matter if i don't have one.

Will it pass an MOT without the cover?

Thanks for reading.

[Lex Dysia]

You can safely remove it, its only there to help keep your engine a little cleaner and muffle noise I think. Mine did the same and it is now off the car. Others on here have done the same

[NickHubbard]

Yes, I had the same problem and removed the cover. It went through an MOT without a problem. The cover reduces engine noise like Lex says and might make the car a little more aerodynamic down below.

A friend pointed out that the cover can be counter productive. If you have an oil leak above the cover, the oil will absorb into the cover rather than leaving tell tale signs in your parking spot. Not a reason to go and take the cover off, but something to be aware of.

[soviet]

Hi,

I have Skoda Octavia 1.9sdi and the plastic cover that sits underneath the engine is falling off.

Half of it has cracked and actually come off so it is sagging in the middle and scraping across the floor.

I want to take it off but want to check it is not essential and that it won't matter if i don't have one.

Will it pass an MOT without the cover?

Thanks for reading.

Hi tedda222,

I think that it will be good to have this in place, as it maybe protects engine sump here, from flying stones that are being picked up by the road wheels. This will stop the crack or hole in sump casings. May be you should think about getting the replacement from a scrap store.

Does any one else on the forum here, think this way?

Soviet:rolleyes:

Edited 4 September, 2008 by soviet
sp

[mbames]

My TDi undertray gets the comment "large untray prevents inspection from underneath" or something like that.

The bonus of keeping the undertray on is that it *might* catch the aircon clutch when it falls off

[cheezemonkhai]

Do the clutch bolt up with some threadlock then

The undertray also helps with aerodynamics so will improve fuel consumption at higher speeds due to reduced drag. Probably nothing massive, but something noticeable.

[KenONeill]

As you describe it Tedda, your car (specifically) won't pass an MOT "as is", but would if you removed the undertray, or replaced it. I think a new one is under £100.