Bottom Side Engine Cover

[Grommish]

So I took my Speed6 into the dealer (Subaru) because I get free oil changes for life on Thursday.. It snowed 8 inches that day and I never got above 30 mph on the way home..

Friday was the same, ice was covering the streets and was slow..

Saturday rolls around and I can finally get the car up to highway speeds.. at speed above 60mph, I hear this god-awful sound.. It sounds like a plastic bag snapping in the wind. Its not speed dependant (other than above 60mph) and I start freaking out.. At midnight Sat, I'm under the car and see the pic attached.. I know its hard to see, but the bottom engine cover is missing from the passenger side back and the sound deadening is just hanging there..

Obviously this wasn't like this when i took it to them, and its 7 bolts/2 pop-tabs to remove it..

How crucial is this cover.. Obviously its a rock-catcher/moisture bouncer and I've already called them and am going back to them tonight to look at it.. But if they decide to tell me to pound sand, I'm not up to paying a huge amount for a plastic cover unless I have to.. Every other car I've owned it wasn't required, but I wouldn't think water splashing on the turbo housing would be very good for it either..

thoughts?

 

[FORZDA 1]

Short-term it will be ok, but long term it needs repalced. The undertray serves several purposes, the main one concerning performance is that is creates a low-pressure area at the rear of hte engine bay to pull air out at speed so the rqadiator and TMIC get adequate flow. I recommend you replace it ASAP. You do NOT need the insulation crap, just the plastic tray for airflow....

 

[mazdaspeed619sd]

Short-term it will be ok, but long term it needs repalced. The undertray serves several purposes, the main one concerning performance is that is creates a low-pressure area at the rear of hte engine bay to pull air out at speed so the rqadiator and TMIC get adequate flow. I recommend you replace it ASAP. You do NOT need the insulation crap, just the plastic tray for airflow....

basically in simple terms, it helps you during highway speeds =).

 

[Grommish]

Dealer is going to replace the cover, insulation and bolts on their dime (as they should). They didn't argue, b**** and moan or try and get out of it.. I think they realized they screwed the pooch on it.

My thanks to you two for allaying some fears ;c)