Technical Back from the garage working :) But now no undertray???

[Smartarse84]

Ok so the abarth 2.4 got a nice new alternator belt and auxiliary belt £85 parts and labour at our local motosave... But on inspection when returning home, looks like they have just ripped the undertray off, think it was knackered anyways, as could hear scrapping on the speed bumps before it went in... But now looks like I'm left with 1 piece on the passenger side bearing in mind I only paid £450 for the car, do you think I should try source a new one and have it fitted?

 

[Smartarse84]

To add they smashed drivers side wheel arch liner to reveal belt pulleys so I assume I should get that replaced ASAP

 

[Muppet1]

I wouldn't unduly worry about the undertray but you could get replacements on eBay.

 

[Smartarse84]

So the fact that the pulleys and belts are now open to all the elements won't really matter??? And what about the wheel arch liner? Would you replace that, Looks like just 4 screws??? Just annoying so lazy to smash clearly with an hammer

 

[Davren]

Without the right side undertray section and right wheel arch liner, you risk getting road debris in the belts that could damage them.
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[Smartarse84]

How high of a risk? And any part numbers bud... 2.4 2004 plate

Without the right side undertray section and right wheel arch liner, you risk getting road debris in the belts that could damage them.
.

 

[g8rpi]

What you need to do is go back to the garage that did the work and ask them about it. If they are not helpful and offer to sort it out, then tell them they have to fix it. Personally if they were helpful I'd offer to pay part or all the cost of the undertray, but you don't have to. The wheelarch liner is totall down to them. Even if the undertray was in poor condition when you took it in, they should have told you and asked what you wanted to do about it. They should not have just trashed it and broken the wheel arch liner. Regardless of the age or value of the car they should do a proper job. If it not possible they should tell you.
I had one with a kwik-fit years ago. I had an amateur radio antenna on the roof. I pointed this out to them and offered to take it off, but they said it was OK as they had a high ceiling. Trouble was they didn't fully open the roller door

They bent the antenna and kinked the roof. I said pay me £40 for the antenna and I'll DIY it. They didnot believe the antena cost and insisted that an "expert" did it. Between the local commecial radio shop and a panel beater it cost them £360

.

Robert G8RPI.

 

[Smartarse84]

Cowboys arnt they, don't worry they will be contacted once the shop re-opens tomorrow. Only issue is I can not find any replacement parts, hoping Darven can point me in the right direction.

 

[Muppet1]

Well I guess it matters to you, I ran a Jtd with out any of the underguards for 4 years or more with out any problems. Wheelarch liner I would replace.

Oh underguards here but you would have to check if they fit yours.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-Stil...417894?hash=item27f105dd26:g:s-IAAOSwuMFUa1MQ

 

[Smartarse84]

Cheers muppet says not for 2.4 engine??? Anyways spoke with the garage this morning, said centre section was badly damaged, offered to show me, and the drivers section was simply left off as already been drilled back on a previous repair he said, anyways cut a long story short, they said pop the car back in, which i did and he showed me the drill holes on drivers section and refitted that piece so just centre section gone as too badly damaged.

Regarding wheel arch liner gonna order from eBay tomorrow, seen one £17 new

 

[Artermis]

Most cars that came fitted with under trays tend to lose them after a number of years. Lets face it these things aren't getting any younger. As the cars get cheaper too people get less fussy about their upkeep or are owned by people who simple cannot afford the level of maintenance that might be required - it's sad fact but it's true. Plus with age parts availability gets to be an issue.

Under trays are not vital to the running of the car and won't really impact on it's running. The likelihood of the engine tray being missing causing you significant issues is low, although it will have an impact over extended periods of time. Think moisture / salt etc getting in touch with metal bits and so on.

Think about it unless a road wheel of yours hits a stone rock etc in the road it's not likely to make it up into the engine bay just because the tray is missing, something has to throw it up there, unless it's big enough to hit the bottom of your car in which case the tray would be of limited protection anyway and it would probably already have trashed your bumper!

The wheel arch liner is going to be a greater issue. It'll allow the wheel to actively throw things and water etc off the road directly at the engine bay and will quickly coat things in a manky film of road much so consider getting that replaced sooner rather than later.

 

[g8rpi]

Most cars that came fitted with under trays tend to lose them after a number of years. <SNIP>
Under trays are not vital to the running of the car and won't really impact on it's running. The likelihood of the engine tray being missing causing you significant issues is low, although it will have an impact over extended periods of time. Think moisture / salt etc getting in touch with metal bits and so on.

<SNIP>

The wheel arch liner is going to be a greater issue. It'll allow the wheel to actively throw things and water etc off the road directly at the engine bay and will quickly coat things in a manky film of road much so consider getting that replaced sooner rather than later.

I agree fully on the wheel arch liner, but not so much on the undertray. In addition to the lack of protection from objects and spray, effects of not fitting an undertray include increased noise and drag due to changes in airflow. This results in poorer fuel consumption, increased noise and possible cooling issues. These may not be crucial for most cars, the are negative effects. Water and salt spray drawn into the engine bay can affect electrics fairly quickly, not just cause cosmetic corrosion.

Robert G8RPI.