Technical Help identifying a part please

[Thandroo]

Hi all, I'm new to the forums and new to the Ulysse. I have a problem that I need to find out what a certain part underneath the car is.
It is located underneath the passenger seat underneath the car and is large, plastic and seems to hang far too low - too low in fact that it occasionally scrapes when mounting even small kerbs. It looks like some kind of intake or outlet - not sure - and doesn't seem to be loose or attach to anything.

Any help here would be appreciated - I can upload a picture if needed.

thanks
Thandroo

 

[avionista]

The item you describe is an air scoop which directs air onto a small radiator in the diesel return pipe. Its purpose is to cool diesel fuel on its way back to the fuel tank. If you removed the plastic air scoop I guess the system would still work reasonably well in the UK's climate.

 

[Thandroo]

Thanks - should it be hanging so low? It is approximately 10cms from the floor!! That seems far too low to me as it doesn't give much clearance.

 

[avionista]

The bottom edge of the air scoop should be more than 10 cms above ground level, but it is low enough to catch the ground under certain conditions. If you are having problems, you should just remove it. I doubt you will notice any difference in the performance of your car as the small radiator will still be exposed to the airstream under the car.

 

[The Bohemian]

I had a similar problem, lent car to brother in law, came back with inlet scoop almost touching ground, mechanic removed it altogether, joined inlet and outlet fuel pipes, car running okay since. It is to cool diesel before it returns to tank, if you keep tank above 1/4 full I reckon it should be okay.

 

[Pat H]

I had a similar problem, lent car to brother in law, came back with inlet scoop almost touching ground, mechanic removed it altogether, joined inlet and outlet fuel pipes, car running okay since. It is to cool diesel before it returns to tank, if you keep tank above 1/4 full I reckon it should be okay.

And if not there will be a big bang.....

 

[Thandroo]

Thanks for the replies.

I've not done anything with it yet, but I get the feeling that I should get it checked out by local garage.

Any reason why it has suddenly appeared - wasn't so low a few weeks ago and neither I nor my wife have hit anything. I think the mid-section of the exhaust needs attention - possibly having an effect on the scoop?

 

[projex]

I took the scoop off almost 3 years and 74k miles ago (Taxi) and have experienced no problems with it. I stay in the Highlands though don't really need to cool things much here.
I do have a new scoop in the garage never bothered putting it on was £28ish from the dealer and only a couple of bolts.