Any experience running vehicle with no lower engine covers?

[Gus Berges]

I know early 911s don't even have these in place (as well as most other vehicles), but wondering if anyone has had real life experience of long term use without these.

One of my kid's vehicles (2011 Audi Q5) is missing all of the underbody covers and also requires two new fender liners. Parts are cheap for all ($105), but the freight within the US is $275 ). To this add international freight (at least as much as US freight) and you are looking into quite a few hundred dollars. This is MUCH better than buying local where one of the pieces can easily cost $600+, but I wonder if this is really more for sound insulation (not an issue) or aerodynamics (not an issue due to the relatively short distances at reduced speed).

We do get TONS of rainfall here... No such thing as salt on the roads. So, any real life experience you want to share?

[eastbay]

Pulled them off many late model cars. (lol, first car I pulled one off of was a new 1984 944) Have the lower engine cover on my daily in my attic right now.

Sometimes the gas mileage will go down a hair but the bonus is usually the temp gauge will read much lower with the covers off.

Don't waste time and money replacing them, IMO

[LEAKYSEALS951]

I've pulled them off 3 of my cars. No issues. Less hassle changing oil , perhaps catches more road salt if you are in such an area, but no problems after 10+ years.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I've pulled them off the Cayenne, no idea if aerodynamics plays a roll in gas mileage but with the truck you couldn't tell unless is was an enormous difference it burns so much gas. BMW still has it because they made a nice trap door for easy oil changes.

I think they are more than just making the underside of the car look nice and probably do effect mileage a little with a cleaner air stream under the car.

[unclebilly]

Need to be removed from a 964…

[hcoles]

The bottom covers affect air flow. They may force air to flow near the rear of the engine or to other areas where air flow is needed. Of course this is for front engine vehicles.

[Sarc]

Originally Posted by eastbay

Sometimes the gas mileage will go down a hair but the bonus is usually the temp gauge will read much lower with the covers off.

After having an alternator failure in my 348 (the alternator is positioned close to the underside of the engine near the exhaust headers), I elected to keep the cover off to allow for more fresh air into the area and was pleased to see cooler temperature readings in the engine bay after doing so.

[greglepore]

Yeah, on some cars cooling might be an issue. Evaluate case by case. I run my R129 mercedes without.

[A930Rocket]

I’ve removed the lower engine cover on my 2005 E46. No ill affects that I know of.

[pwd72s]

Remember the old days when you'd drop a fastener and it would end up on the ground?

[sc_rufctr]

My Daily W140 came with no covers on the bottom of the engine and I don't think it's affected anything of note.
- Also, easier for servicing. Less to mess with.

FWIW I would never run a 911 without the perimeter shroud and body seal in place.
- The heat from the exhausts recycling into the cooling fan? No thanks.

[herr_oberst]

If the wheelwell fender liners are gone, I'd definitely replace those, but not the rest of the undertray. Waste of money, waste of time....

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

Need to be removed from a 964…

The rear one is a pain...

[sc_rufctr]

These Golf Ball dimpled lower panels look cool.



Screen grab from here... https://youtu.be/tuwM8wU18xM?si=Z8hdrTN371_4Bqt4