I had my car towed in yesterday because during a drive in the country it started making a loud sound when hitting around 60mpg. (I had been going much faster earlier and had no issues). I pulled off twice but couldn't see anything wrong. I figured something came loose under the car and was flapping around when the air caught it. I had my wife follow me and she saw something flapping underneath on the passenger side. I stopped again but couldn't feel anything loose, but by that time, it was doing it at 40mph so I just called AAA and had the car towed in.

Apparently it's a plastic shield of some kind. At some point the part where the bolt holds it on came off (speed bump in the past?). They just took off the shield since there was no apparent reason for it to be there. Any reason to order a new part? Is it there aerodynamics? I'll try to post a photo tomorrow night.

Thanks

 

Yes it's for aerodynamics. IICR, those pieces were designed to lower the drag coiffecient when you're over 100MPH.

 

Well, I haven't taken it 100mph. Yet. Close though. If I don't hit 100mph, is it safe to say I don't need it?

 

if its the front undertray it also helps to direct air to the radiator to cool the engine.

 

It also protects your engine bay from road debris

 

Get a new one... You could even get an aftermarket one they sell on here for $150.00

 

I'll see what part it is. The tech said it wasn't the big one under the engine. I won't be able to pick up the car until tomorrow morning, but I'll take a photo then and see what it is.

It was flapping pretty badly and making a lot of noise, so I didn't want to keep driving the car and risk doing actual damage to anything. Good thing I have AAA Plus. Hadn't used it in years though.

 

Sounds like its the undertray or a fender well liner. Theres no need to spend 150 for a undertray, just get a factory replacement. Contact my boy mike@conceptz, he offers better pricing than nissan courtesy.

 

the plastic pieces are not necessary such that your car cannot function without it. However, aside from the aerodynamic reasons for which they were designed, like was stated above, those pieces also protect your engine from crap and debris and water and whatever else might want to find its way up.

I'd replace them sooner than later but you can drive your car for sure, no problem.

 

oh, & are you related to davidv?

 

I had the "Main" undertray fall off my last car and I had it off for like 3 months and all my belts got destroyed... amazing what that piece of plastic does.

 

Its there for a reason. Look at what is under the engine shield.

 

Then there is little point in guessing what is missing and the function.

 

Picked up the car this morning. It's the M shaped panel discussed in this thread:

https://my350z.com/forum/engine-and-...component.html

I'll order another and replace this one. Here's what mine looked like with the plastic sheared off where one of the bolts went in. Quick fix once I get the new part. Thanks for the assist!

 

Oh yeah, that's a ZROC shirt (Columbus, Ohio club I just joined) and an empty Timmy Ho's cup from hot chocolate. :-) Those are my 35th Anniversary mats in the rear. I have Nismo mats covered with thick black carpet mats up front. Keep the special ones looking nice.

 

Thanks. I sent Mike an email with the car info and a photo of the part. Turns out that email is no good, so I'm trying directly through the conceptz site.

 

No comments about what this shield is for?

 

Uh...Shielding things? Sorry I had to. My caustic humor.