Cracked engine undercover

[MAZDA Kitten]

It just kinda hangs on one side about an inch or two
Dealership offered me a pretty good deal (10% off and no cost of labour) to put a new one on
I think its around $100 or so - do I need to do it? Is it that important?

[Gizzmo_jr]

helps keep water,rocks, air flow under the car.
I'd give it a "semi important" status.

[Skarbro]

I would have to say yes. The 2.3 engine with tranny hangs extremely low to the ground compared to other cars I've worked on. It is exposed to direct hits without the cover on.

[b]

Get used to replacing them! I've done it twice now. Keeps breaking loose and hanging.

[MAZDA Kitten]

Ok
Thanks guys
I guess I'll get on it next week

On a side note; why would they keep on breaking? I dont scrape at all but even at the dealership they told me they fix about 2-3 a WEEK
I guess its doing what it was designed to do

[PlatMS6]

Ok
Thanks guys
I guess I'll get on it next week

On a side note; why would they keep on breaking? I dont scrape at all but even at the dealership they told me they fix about 2-3 a WEEK
I guess its doing what it was designed to do

It happens because the techs want to save some time when doing oil changes - so they only unbolt one side and bend down the cover... The plastic tabs usually start to have white fold marks (like all plastic when bent).....and after a couple of times it snaps...it wasn't meant to be handled that way...

If it doesn't have scrape/impact marks get them to replace it - if it does...just rip it off.

[MZ3_GS]

I would have to say yes. The 2.3 engine with tranny hangs extremely low to the ground compared to other cars I've worked on. It is exposed to direct hits without the cover on.

How effective would a piece of plastic protect your tranny?

It is there for air flow management.

[Low_Ets]

With all due respect, MZ3_GS is absolutely correct. The transmission casting is more than thick enough to be protected from a thin piece of injection [plastic] molding. There was a similar under carriage cover on my 2002 Celica - I opted to remove it in the summer and reinstall in late October.

Although the under carriage cover offers some [read as very limited] areo-d efficiency, few of us probably drive fast enough to benefit from it.

IMHO - I'd remove it and reinstall during the colder periods [October to late March].

Regards,

Low_ETS

[Skarbro]

How effective would a piece of plastic protect your tranny?

From stones? A lot. It's not like it's vertical. It's flat and stuff bounces off it.