Plastic piece under front bumper--Gone!

[relberg11]

I went into an arroyo after a storm at a somewhat high speed. BIG bang, but the car seemed ok, so I kept going. Later I noticed a plastic piece hanging from the front bumper. It is now off. There was a long narrow piece that fit under the front bumper and a second flat piece that (I think) was up under the engine.

1: what was this? 2: was it important? 3 Is it expensive to fix?

2005 Mini Convertible

Meanwhile, my dad helped me put freon in the AC, as I didn't think it was working very well. (Same day as that plastic part came out from underneath). A/C seemed worse the next time I drove, and now it blows hot air!

Likely unrelated, but...??? I live on a dirt road and it's possible that the AC got clogged with dust? Or? A bit baffled.

[relberg11]

p.s. In New Mexico in July, A/C is a good thing to have. But going to the Mini dealer is an expensive trip. Any ideas?

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

I believe those parts are like a plastic undertray on a race car. Sort of, kind of. They help manage the air under the car, and keep a little of the dirt out of the engine bay.

It is unlikely that just clogging the condensor was enough to make the AC blow hot. I would suspect either that the controls for the AC are messed up (so it is actually blowing hot air from the heater core instead of cold from the AC evaporator), or that you damaged one of the AC lines and the refrigerant has escaped again. I know that on the earlier 2nd-gen cars (2007-2010 time frame?) there is a line that hangs down with only one retaining clamp holding it up; if that clamp fails the line will drag on the pavement and wear through in short order. Something similar might have happened to yours.

The plastic under-tray is not critical. I would replace it when I reasonably could; it is probably a reasonable DIY project to do so. (Depending on what was damaged when the old one was pulled out.) The AC probably needs to go to a shop. If you have a good independent in your area, that should be cheaper than the dealer, but it still might be some $$$. You may be able to find and repair the damage yourself, but recharging the system correctly will take more equipment than most of us have at home.

--DD

[relberg11]

Thanks so much! Everything you've said makes sense. Guess I'll find an A/C guy...