2003 M45 lower engine cover

[goldhachi]

This $20 piece of plastic blew off after 65k miles on my m45. I know that this piece of plastic helps dissipate (sp) heat, keeps dirt and gunk from the engine. I can't find this piece of plastic for under $330 anywhere. My trusted mechanic told me that it's really uneccassary here in Arizona where there is no snow, very little rain, etc. What are your thoughts? Is it needed? Anyone know where I can pick one up cheap?

Thanks,MJB

[DRIPS]

They are not required but he is recommending probably because of all the sand/dust that will creep under and get into your engine bay. It is probably worth the investment, but i am with you that 330 is too much. I would try and 1) back track to pick it up off the ground somewhere on your roads or 2) check ebay, junk yards, etc.

If it came down to purchasing or not purchasing, I probably would not, but that is just my opinion and not anything else.

[goldhachi]

Thanks for the reply. Obviously it serves a purpose, but what, 70% + of new cars don't have them...I think I'll just search ebay, junk yards...I just can't justify spending 3 bills on a piece of plastic, no matter how much money I have or don't have.

Thanks,MJB

[CakeDaddy]

I'd be curious to see a picture of this part, but try weber brothers auto.

Video:zerothread?id=361960

[tcpw]

Mine blew off also, around 58k. No how 63k and looking to sell.

[M4T5]

Is your trusted mechanic a Infiniti tech? Anyways, yes it is a cover to keep dirt, weather, and road debris from getting to your engine, but if I'm not mistaken, this cover is also there for aerodynamic reasons as well. This keeps wind updraft drag from slowing down or place wind drag on your car under higher speed driving. I would have the last person who changed your oil replace this part on their dime! There are many 10mm bolts that hold this car on under the car. It is really hard to believe that these bolts would have all let go. There are about 20 bolts holding it on by the way. Whoever was doing your oil changes must have not placed these bolts all back in place and or lost some of them over time. This would be understandable if the retainers were plastic pins, but they are not. They are pretty good sized bolts that I just don't see failing. You need to look into this further before you pay for this replacement that is more than likely not yours or the cars fault!

J

[szh]

The lower cover is also part of the engine heat management system with the air flow going where it needs to.

I would recommend replacing it. And, then castigating the person who might have left the screws off when removing it the last time! Or, better yet, if it was an oil/filter change, asking them why they did not just use the two screws and open the flap designed for this purpose (your 2003 Y34 model has this)!

Cheapest new is likely to be http://www.everythinginfiniti.com in Scottsdale, AZ. Talk to Joe Tsensky. If looking for not new, then a junkyard is likely to be the best place, but the problem is that not enough Y34 M45's were sold to make this a high probability!

Z

[GJEMD]

"The lower cover is also part of the engine heat management system with the air flow going where it needs to." Z

I just completed 10,000 miles without this poorly manufactured item. I live in the southeast. Absolutely no issues with aerodynamics, fuel efficiency or engine temp control.

[M4T5]

"The lower cover is also part of the engine heat management system with the air flow going where it needs to." Z

I just completed 10,000 miles without this poorly manufactured item. I live in the southeast. Absolutely no issues with aerodynamics, fuel efficiency or engine temp control.

Whatever man. No one said the car couldn't drive at all rated speeds without it. Plus you have no way of determining if your aerodynamics were or were not effected without the use of this cover. Do what you want.........it was put there for a purpose!I could take all the engine covers off, top and bottom and say what you just said.There is no proof that you or I could come up with stating they are not needed. They are there for a reason man. Your just trying to defeat the cause of putting up the money for a new lower cover.

J
Modified by M4T5 at 10:18 AM 3/6/2009

[NightWatch]

With as much cost cutting as Infiniti has done over the past couple years they wouldn't be putting a part on a car that they didn't feel served an important purpose. If it falls off under warranty then Infiniti should replace it. If it repeatedly falls off on multiple cars then they should issue a TSB for it and fix the problem.

[szh]

"The lower cover is also part of the engine heat management system with the air flow going where it needs to." Z

I just completed 10,000 miles without this poorly manufactured item. I live in the southeast. Absolutely no issues with aerodynamics, fuel efficiency or engine temp control.

Okay. But it was done for a specific reason, and while that issue might be of relatively small impact compared to other issues, it is good to keep it there. If a part is low cost enough, why not replace what fell off?

Regardless, if you do not care about this, then you can most certainly do whatever you want with your car!

Again, my recommendation remains: replace it. But, the choice is indeed yours!

Z

[M4T5]

I wonder if this guy would put his bumper back on if it fell off???

J

[NightWatch]

Hey as long as you don't hit anything, you don't really need it now do you?

[M4T5]

I guess you right.......Plus, since the paint chips so esily on the M front bumpers....you wouldn't have to worry about it anymore!!

J

[candymanfb]

I had to replace mine due to driving over debris. It was about $400 from the dealer. The debris did $1500 worth of damage - enough to file an insurance claim.I would recommend replacing.

[GJEMD]

"Plus you have no way of determining if your aerodynamics were or were not effected without the use of this cover. " M4T5

The simple test of aerodynamic effect would be top end instability and lower fuel efficiency.

The computer has consistently shown 26 mpg @ 70 mph with and without the lower cover. I kissed 140 mph without the cover with finger tip control.

I suspect it would minimize the effect of road debris. The dealers blame its failure on oil changes outside the dealerships. They won't replace it if you change your own oil.

[GJEMD]

you can see from the video the lower cover is gone. top shot shows pavement from engine compartment