The bolts on the front of my engine splash shield must have rusted from living in an area with lots of snow, thus lots of salt. One day they just gave out and I had to drag it until the next exit, the front line of bolt holes is worn down so much that the holes aren't closed anymore. So a friend said that when he worked at a shop they used to just pull them off, they hardly served a purpose. So I let him tear it off, then as I was driving I heard a TINK then a piece of plastic go flying behind me, it was my front right fender inner panel. Then I read up on the engine splash shield a little and someone said on certain cars it deals with the airflow and cars can overheat without it.

My question is: do I really need it? I'm definitely replacing the part near my wheel well just because the tires kick up so much more debris.

Thanks

 

i would think you do from getting salt and snow up in your engine bay and rusting more parts

 

You need one of these...
Aluminum undershroud

 

You will want the cover on since it helps protect the engine bay. The operating temperature will not be effected whether its off or not.

 

Also it keeps the front bumper from flexing. The car will be much quieter as a result. At higher speeds its also keeps the car more streamlined which increases handling. Not that you'd notice from everyday driving speeds, but at higher speeds.

 

So did you get a new one or what? I recently noticed oil under my car (nowhere on the ground, though ) that the wind has blown under there and I have been checking and it's a total drag to have to roll the car onto a couple of pieces of wood, then jack it, then put jack stands under, and then move the jack, and then remove enough screws to peel back the splash shield, and finally to inspect for oil leakage. Even on jack stands I have like no room to work under there because the car is so low. I can't even use my creeper and have to slither under the car. We have no salt on the road down here in the ATL. Well, we shouldn't from this point onward. Shouldn't I be okay to take this thing off? Would a couple of rainy rides kill my car? Can I take this thing off for a month or two? Or permanently? I don't mind the compromised aerodynamics, since I don't plan on driving anywhere near 100 mph.

 

^Leaving it off for a month or two will be fine. But I recommend keeping it on since it helps keep debris/water out of the engine bay.

Mine tore off almost a year ago but it doesn't rain much in Cali so I haven't experienced any problems with it off, besides a dirty engine bay.

 

I have a quick question, What size are the bolts for the engine splash shield? One of my bolts fell off and now my shield is hanging...

 

I " currently " do not have the splash shield.. and do not overheat...

But one IS going back in.. the speed racer version....

Mike

 

I think they are 10mm.

 

They are m6x1.0

 

Which means a 10mm wrench fits on a 6mm bolt ( shaft & thread size 1.0mm )

Mike

 

beathorse
infinity will not spend money on a part that cost $150 for nothing so yea i think its real important to stop stones and stuff from bouncing up and hitting your oil pan and you could get some real damage

 

inner fender bolts up to the splash guard, so you must have it there in order to have everything mounted properly. Aftermarket aluminium splash guard allows easy access to oil filter and drain bolt for the oil change. Tollboothwilley makes nice aluminium splash shield, and they are very reasonably priced, you can contact him on a forum or search for his product on Ebay