Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

Hello everyone,

I just need your advise...this morning on my way to work I suddenly heard this scrapping sound underneath my car. When I got out I noticed that the plastic cover underneath was dragging. I couldn't take the annoying dragging sound so i ripped it off. So now on my passenger side has no plastic cover underneath. Should I look for a replacement? Is this really needed?

Thank you!
Moo2266

Re: Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

I agree the plastic skid plate is prone to damage in the winter. Here is a replacement that you might want to consider.

Volkswagen Skid Plates

Re: Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

I've had a similar thing happen.

My plastic plate came off once in the first week I owned the car because I wasn't used to driving such a low vehicle (drove a Chevrolet Suburban prior to this) so I just used your average wood screws and screwed it onto other pieces of plastic that are located in the same are of the skid plate.

Therefore, I didn't need a replacement.



Nick

Re: Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

The guy before had it tooken off and now dont have one. Its been fine, not bothering me.

Re: Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

@gurvir44: The skid pan is there for a reason: to protect the bottom of the vehicle from road debris and to protect the vehicle from possible catches on the curb while parking.

It's your choice whether or not you keep it there, but it will most likely prolong the life of certain parts and ultimately your Audi.

Re: Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

I did the exact same thing nickjays did on his and haven't had any issues since. The problem obviously being that you ripped it completely off. I wouldn't leave it as is though, but thats just me.

Re: Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

Thanks folks for your input.

I ripped the passenger side off, I have the front & the drivers side still on. I just worried that it may cause a problem in the future. Just for reference, I'm talking about the plastic cover under the passenger side.

Thanks,
Moo2266

Re: Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

I was missing the belly pan on my A4 when I bought it, I drove a MK4 for 3.5 years without one too... little more road spray and dust than usual.

I want one of the Evolution skid plates.

Re: Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

Yeah I was looking at the Evolution skid plates, they look pretty good. I may purchase one, still thinking about it. Plus I'll need permission from the wifey! lol!

Re: Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

The OEM skid plate is only there for aerodynamics and keeping dirt out of the engine bay to some degree. They're crap - half the VAG cars driving around have them hanging by a couple of screws. If you want something that will actually protect your oil pan, look into the Dieselgeek Panzer Plate, or Evolution Skid Plate. If I weren't so concerned with front-end weight, I'd be running one for sure.

Re: Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

If there is enough interest maybe we can start a "group buy" opportunity. Please give feedback on this.

Re: Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

OK...those screws that I had put on to "fix" the issue with my A4 are useless now. After this weekends snowfall here in Calgary the whole plastic bottom is totaled. going to just rip it off all together and start shopping for a more durable replacement.

Re: Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

Hey, they also protect the aluminum oil pans that are kinda weak (light, but weak)....What i did is bought some sheet aluminum, took the plate off and riveted the sheet aluminum onto the plastic. This pretty much made the 250 dollar overpriced piece of plastic real sturdy. Hope you can still salvage what you ripped off.

Re: Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

^ ah that would have been a great idea. Mine is completely gone now...Although I feel like I need to replace it asap (just nervous I guess) I wonder how the OP is doing with his.
I'll probably be putting in an order for one of those skidplates some time soon.

Re: Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

i took mine out, and didnt bother putting it back in (cant anyways cuz the hanger has bent).

The belly pan doesnt do much justice. If your car bogs down and hits a curb or something, the plastic belly pan would just break and damage whatever its hiding anyway.. Some say it would also scoop up snow into the belly pan during winter and stays in there until its warm enough to melt.

Re: Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

I would agree that it doesn't really provide any protection in the circumstances you are talking about and I can vouch for the stories of snow on the belly pan. That is the whole reason I ended up having to take it off, It had packed so much snow in there that it was making a scraping noise every time I drove it.

However I think if you are talking about random road debry (rocks and other things) that come flying at your car at any given time it might provide some protection. Though that in itself is a stretch as well.

Re: Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

For those interested I took a picture the last oil change...this is what it ended up looking like. its not very pretty, but it does the job. the aluminum is facing up so it cant be seen from the bottom of the car.

Re: Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

I'm looking to buy a skid plate.

I just realized I don't have one and have several scratches on the swaybar and the oil pan from winter driving. I also lost some of the screws from the wheel wells where it meets the bumper when it scrapped on a curb. :(

Re: Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

As mentioned previously, the bellypan is there primarily for protection of the vehicle's undercarriage. Without it there is a great possibility of having something go up and possibly damage the lower engine components. Many people drive without it at all. On my A4 I still have it completely intact. My A6 is missing it all together. When I have a chance I will be building one on my own out of 20 gauge stainless steel for my A6. The bottom of my oil pan and my sway bar have been dinged and scratched due to hitting things. There has been a lawsuit against Audi in the United States for this but nothing up here in Canada. Overall it's your choice whether to replace your bellypan or not. Personally I recommend having it there just for protection. If you do a search on Audi oil pans you'll see they're made out of 4mm thick aluminum and are prone to damage. I'd sooner replace a belly pan than be stuck on the side of the road with oil pissing out of my oil pan.

I agree. The bottom of my A4's engine compartment is in mint shape due to being protected by the bellypan. I can't say the same about my A6.

Re: Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

i am interested in buying one, but actually there are two covers un the engine and another one attached to it, are these kits come in two pieces? ther are very important for engine protection, but they are alomst 16.5 lb,

Re: Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

Is that a pink car in the garage????

Re: Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY EVOLUTIONS "THOR" AUDI A4 ALUMINUM SKID PLATE!

Audi's oil pans are made of a paper-thin cast aluminum that is easily cracked by many objects such as road debris, manhole covers and speed bumps. While your car may be at stock height, there is only approximately 4 inches of ground clearance with your oil pan. If you are lowered from stock height, there is very little room for error when negotiating an object in your path. Here is some information on this Evolution Aluminum Skid Plate for those of you that haven't seen it before.

The plate is 5052 grade aluminum and is 4.8mm (.191 inches) thick.
Weighs 16.7 Lbs
Protects your cars oil pan, a/c pump, radiator & transmission.
Bolts to you vehicle in 4 or five locations depending on your model.
45 to 60 minute install.
Once the plate is installed it is only 4-5 bolts that need to be removed for your oil change(1-2minutes).
Fits all engines and transmissions.
Never rusts.
Maximum amount of ground clearance possible provided.
A detailed easy to follow, step by step guide only located on our website in the left nav menu under "Install Guides". Click here to view Thor-AudiA4-Install-Guide(PDF)
Air duct to allow air flow onto the transmission.
Specially designed so you won’t have to worry about air forcing your plastic tire well lining back and into your tires.
Designed, tested and proven by EVOLUTION IMPORT INC.
Shipped to your door step in a box as a complete kit. No other attachments need to be purchased.
Draft/Design by: EVOLUTION IMPORT INC.
CNC Machine Manufactured.
Oil Changes: We make it easy for you. With the Thor skid plate we do not offer an oil drain hole option. If we were to put one on the skid plate, the hole would be located right on the ramped section of the skid plate. This would be bad as the hole could easily catch an object on the road causing a major hazard for you and other vehicles on the road. So the skid plate will need to be removed in order to gain access to the oil filter and drain plug. However if you want to put your own access holes into the skid plate, it is at your own risk. We have added two 1/2" sight holes so you can locate your oil plug for proper alignment while you cut your own oil drain hole. Removal of the skid plate for oil changes is very quick and easy taking 1-2 minutes. Only the bottom four or five bolts need to be removed and the skid plate drops right down and off of your Audi. The aluminum side wings don't need to be unbolted from the skid plate.
Shipping Information: If you would like to know how much shipping will cost simply add the items you would like to purchase to your cart and enter your Country, State/Province, Zip/Postal Code and click "Recalculate" to get the shipping cost. This is the quickest way to quote you on shipping costs. Please use this method before emailing us as it can take up to two days for us to respond to the email.


Fits:
95-01 Audi A4, Sedan, Avant & Wagon (B5 Platform)


98-02 Audi S4, Sedan, Avant & Wagon (B5 Platform)


02-08 Audi A4, S4, Sedan, Avant & Wagon (B6 & B7 Platform)



98-04 Audi A6 with the C5 platform -

All Audis with theV8 engine will require spacers at the front of plate. Here is a link to a pack of 3 of our own 12.77mm think Poly Spacers:

Re: Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

can we set up a group buy here, i noticed in another forum 40 people or more get them for $190.00 each, not sure about shipping to canada though, I am cencern about over heating the transmision if this kit has less ventilation, than the OEM

Re: Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

Evolution is based in Canada so shipping shouldn't be a problem. I'd be interested if there were a group buy.

Re: Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

I will look into a group buy and post up a new thread.

Re: Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

That is good, it sound like a good product , I spoke to Neil at Evolution skid plat, he is a great guy very informative. He told me that the B7 has two belly covers one at the front for the engine which they are currently sell for $249 and a secondary cover behind the main one for the trans, not available yet, but it will be available soon once they test it. I am not sure how important is the secondary one, but I will get it any way once it is in the market. And like Batman mentioned , they have a distribution warehouse in Canada, shipping will be around $27,

Re: Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

I'd be interested in the group buy. Racoon just took mine out, he walked away with part of the plastic. Would be good protection in the winter too (car boogers).
thanks,

Re: Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

The racoon won?? I had a fight with a racoon and I won. :^/

Coordinating with another Audi forum would get more traction - or is that sort of thing not done with group buys?

Re: Plastic Cover underneath my car
 

I went over a little section of grass and there was a rock hidden underneath... A couple chunks of the plastic cover broke off and some water was underneath the hole from where the plastic ripped off. Should I be worried?? I'm sure it was water .. And it's been raining the last couple of days so i don't know if it's some left over water that was being held by the cover ... I need help!! Should I be worried ???