Need skid plate help!!

[AmyJane]

So today during the torrential rain here in NY somehow after I came out of huge Lake Erie sized puddle I heard this grinding scraping noise. Or so I thought. It was a little hard to hear anything with the rain beating on the windshield. So I stopped to pick up some dinner on the way home from work and get out and walk in front of the car and I see this huge piece of plastic sticking up over the top of the front pass side tire. So my skid plate is mangled beyond recognition. What should I do? Would I be better off going to the dealer and having them install a new one? Is is going to be way more expensive than buying one online and trying to install it myself? Well...I dont have any tools. But either way...what should I expect to pay if I go to the dealer?

What a pain in the I know I need to do this soon because, one: it's still attached and I cant remove it and two: I dont want to damage my water pump or oil pan. That is the same skid plate right? Or is there more than one skid plate. Ive never seen the underside of my NB
Help!

//signed//

Stupid Girl

[digitalputty]

I feel your pain!! Those skid plates are important.
Here is one ... a bit pricey?

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/mm...ate~parts.html

I think it is fairly easy to attach since it is the same thing that my ex used to take off when changing my Zoomers oil. Just a few screws?? I need a new one too.

[AmyJane]

Originally Posted by digitalputty

I feel your pain!! Those skid plates are important.
Here is one ... a bit pricey?

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/mm...ate~parts.html

I think it is fairly easy to attach since it is the same thing that my ex used to take off when changing my Zoomers oil. Just a few screws?? I need a new one too.

Thanks Larissa! I saw that. I guess I'm just worried about how I'm going to install it. No tools

[CoriBug]

Get a real skidplate from Diesel Geek. Those plastic pieces are crap. Daisy is on her second piece of plastic now. The plastic VW crap installed is the same price Diesel Geek charges. So it's only a little bit more and much much better. I'm getting one as soon as I get my IRS check.

[digitalputty]

The only down side to the diesel geek is that you have to take it off every time you change your oil. And .. you gotta drill holes (I guess) in order ot install it. ???

[lkchris]

Not if you drain the oil the way VW intends, i.e. vacuum it out the dipstick tube.

BTW, you have to take the OE plastic bottom cover off, too.

Also BTW, none of these are skid plates because you can't drive over things with either and neither provides ultimate protection to bottom of motor. There's no guarantee the exact same circumstances wouldn't have created the exact same problem with a metallic cover. To see a skid plate, check out some 4X4s.

[missruby]

The new version of diesel geek has a "removable oil drain plug access window".

In case you're interested: http://www.dieselgeek.com/servlet/Detail?no=363

[FineExampl]

ummm Amy's on a budget guys.

Amy....call some junkyards and ask around. The new bellypan (which i assume is what you mean) is actually fiberglass and is ridiculously expensive for what it is. It's mainly a dirt guard. You don't need to middle one so much, but the side ones you do need.

Try junkyards (it might be hard) and iff not, call the dealer or an online VW dealer. It's no less than $100 new as i recall.

[digitalputty]

Originally Posted by lkchris

Not if you drain the oil the way VW intends, i.e. vacuum it out the dipstick tube.

BTW, you have to take the OE plastic bottom cover off, too.

Also BTW, none of these are skid plates because you can't drive over things with either and neither provides ultimate protection to bottom of motor. There's no guarantee the exact same circumstances wouldn't have created the exact same problem with a metallic cover. To see a skid plate, check out some 4X4s.

Vacuum ... not everyone has one of those.
I said that you have to take the plastic one off too. But, it is easier to do that the metal one.
They are called skid plates. VW Skid Plates. Ok. We need skid protection too. So ... argh!!!!

[Lmhansen]

Nor is it necessarily the best way to change your oil. Less messy, yes, but without removing and replacing the drain plug, you won't get all the gunk out. The drain plug is magnetic to hold on to the teeny metal particles that soils the oil...

[BigMommasVdub]

Ok what is this skid plate thing and where is it and should I be checking to see if mine is still on "Daisy"?

[SMG]

Originally Posted by BigMommasVdub

Ok what is this skid plate thing and where is it and should I be checking to see if mine is still on "Daisy"?

Look underneath. If you can see your aluminum oilpan then your "skidplate" is missing.

[mombug]

Dear stupid girl:
So sorry this happened to you and Skittle! Let your fingers do the walking and call around as Johnny suggested. I am sure a smart shopper like you will come out on top - good luck!

[AmyJane]

OK...so this is the part that got ripped up:


If there is more than one skidplate underneath do i need this one?

I found one on partsgeek.com for $50. Should I just bring her to a regular garage or should I bring her to the stealership for install? I hate not having a warranty anymore

[CrazyJames]

Originally Posted by CyberGreenBaby

OK...so this is the part that got ripped up:


If there is more than one skidplate underneath do i need this one?

I found one on partsgeek.com for $50. Should I just bring her to a regular garage or should I bring her to the stealership for install? I hate not having a warranty anymore

I just had that one replaced on my Golf, it wasnt covered by warranty and it cost me 110$-120$ including labour.

Bastards.

[Hardware]

My Toad never had one. Haven't missed it yet. YMMV.

[CoriBug]

That's the same piece I had replaced and now it's gone again. Cost me over $200. Don't bother replacing it. Go without or get a real skidplate. The plastic piece doesn't protect you from anything anyway.

[D2Beetle]

With all of the opinions regarding the "sound panels" (Left, Right and Center [skid plate]) I prefer the OEM ones. The suggested Diesel Geek plate is $275 and has special installation needs; according to link provided.

I bought all three panels from the VW dealer back in May and all three cost me $177.81 (Attaching screws and tax included) and no extra effort or specials tools are required for installation.

Go for the OEM panels.

[CoriBug]

So you take it to a mechanic and pay him $50 to put it on. I'm just saying that a Diesel Geek plate is forever and the OEM pieces are not. If you're short on money, why get the OEM pieces? Just go with nothing on. Either pay $350(shipping and install) once for the Diesel Geek or $200 again and again and again....

[SMG]

That's exactly it. The OEM pieces don't last so you're flushing your money down the toilet.