engine under-cover needed?

[MA70L-BJMVZA]

Is the plastic engine under-cover needed, or even useful? Mine broke apart around screw holes, specifically the area between the front bumper and the radiator support, and road rash finished it off. It looks like the cover's job is to force air that enters the grill to pass through the IC/ac condenser/radiator path instead of just exiting immediately under the car.

Cheapest I can find the part is $150 from Toyota. Obviously I don't want to waste the money. Plenty of other parts I can buy instead.

I tried the search function, but had no luck. I apologize if this has been addressed in another post.

I'm new to SM, but have lurked for a long time. SM saved me a lot of grief when I experienced my first BHG at 160k miles about a month ago. Repairs went smoothly, thanks to you guys.

ul

91 stock 7mgte/5 spd

 

[modmonster2008]

it helps more with directing airflow to the engine and its cooling systems (intercooler if turbo as well) instead of just flying all over the place, think of it as a fan that has a tunnel directed to you, feels a lot stronger right? as well as keeping dirt and water from flying up into the engine compartment and engine to keep it clean from any road dirt or grime. I never really thought it was helpful, but now that i have removed mine i kinda do miss it.

 

[Dirgle]

My lack of one cost me a lot of money. A stray rock kicked up by someones tire bounced up from under there and caught the fan and destroyed it. The disintegrating fan blade proceeded to send shrapnel through the fan shroud, a radiator hose, and radiator, destroying all of them. And it nearly got sent through the hood putting several dents in it and destroying the fresh paint. The fan, fan shroud, radiator, and upper radiator hose were all new. and all had to be replaced again, and I had to paint a new hood. It was a freak accident but it does illustrate the potential of what can happen without an undercover.

 

[MA70L-BJMVZA]

Good info guys. Guess I'll be placing an order for a replacement.

Dirgle, sounds like we have the same luck. I was cruising up I-95, when a truck throws a 6 foot long tire tread ("road gator") right at my mk3. It hit the right side of the bumper, drags over the hood and fender, tears off the mirror and folds the antenna rod. To complete the damage, my super white paint had long black streaks and deep scratches from bumper to bumper.

What were the odds?

ul

 

[OneJArpus]

I just put my new one on my car.... cleaned the engine bay again before driving and came back opened the hood and i was in aw how clean it still was .... Temps couldn't tell a diff as it was 30 degree's out... i'll see in the summer

 

[hvyman]

You could try putting big washers on the bolts ro ghetto rigging it somehow if you still have it. I think its like 100-150 new or something like that.

 

[spinningheadboy]

Never had one on my '91 Turbo. Been driven at over 100 degrees and city driving...never had a problem without it. I find it easier to find leaks with the cover removed also.

cwd

 

[hvyman]

I dont have one either wish i did tho. Done over 100* driving a lot. Prolly would drop the temps a couple degrees with better directed airflow.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Buy a new one. Period.

It kills me that so many people would even contemplate buying aftermarket parts for s car that isn't even up to stock Toyota standards.

It's not a civic, its a luxury sports car. Get it up to stock standards.

I bought a brand new one for my 90. Best 150 bucks I've spent on the car.

Sent from my HERO200 using Tapatalk

 

[Dylan JZ]

I wouldn't keep it on my car unless I simplified the way of removing it.. unless I'm just remembering it being more of a pain in the ass than it actually was (mine was on there for 20 some odd years after all).

It's understandable that one wouldn't be taking it off all the time, but I like being able to see and access everything under there, so I never bought another one.



That aside, I'd recommend buying another to anyone else.

 

[mk3tattoos]

on my 87, during a road trip, i had a rock come up and hit the fan as well, then the fan blade took out the fan shroud. found a toyota stealer 300 miles from home and had to wait in a hotel over night for them to order a fan blade and shroud, oh plus labor. set me back about $400, kinda ruined the trip after that, lol.

 

[lowtaco]

Part number for the lower cover is 51441-14110 retail price is 201.26 and 150.00 is a good discount. If you were closer I could get you one for 130.00

 

[SWD Fredester 3]

Buy a new one and install it. It was designed and installed as stock for a reason. Peace of mind=one less thing to worry about.

-Fred

 

[robhojy]

id hate to have my undercarriage exposed

 

[SRA]

http://www.toyotapartszone.com/oem/toyota~cover~engine~under~no~1~51441-14110.html

you could also order one from here.

 

[IwantMKIII]

I drove 2 years without it no problem simply because it never came with the chassis' that i purchased. BUT, i now have one and use it with my newest chassis because:

-It offers protection
-Keeps things much cleaner
-Improves cooling
-Improves gas mileage, in some cases significantly

So why not?

 

[MA70L-BJMVZA]

You guys convinced me. I'm replacing my broken one. Doing it right - new 10mm cover bolts to replace the rusted ones as well.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Good to hear. I'd recommend a few fender washers for some of the bolts as well.