Engine sound/protection pan

[2000GLS]

This is my first post after lurking for a while; lots of great info on this site!

When I took my (new to me) NB for its first service recently, the dealer told me that the engine protection pan is missing. Looking in my Bentley manual confirms it's not there, but I can't tell how many engine protection panels are supposed to be installed for a 2.0l engine.

Can anyone please tell me 1) how many there are; 2) if they make a difference in reducing engine noise or protecting the engine; and 3) if they're needed, where I can get them and how much they are?

TIA

[LadybugEwa]

Take if from someone who's been driving around without them for almost 3 years. You really don't need them, it's just a money grabber on the dealer's part. The OEM panels are widely acknowledged as being fragile, are frequently lost during winter, or not put back on by lazy oil-change monkeys. They offer very little if any damage protection to the business parts like the oil pan. On the other hand, an aftermarket steel skid plate like the Panzer plate DOES offer aforementioned impact protection and (i'm pretty sure) comes with an opening to access the oil drain plug. I also suspect it won't be much more money than the OEM panels from the dealer. And of those I think the number is 3, one central and two side ones (I think).

[nyum96]

When I my NB got stuck on the beach in St. Augustine, I was towed out backwards and the pan broke off. I drove without one for 5 months and got a new one because I had numerous rock pits in the pan. Also the fans would always kick in. I know the main purpose for this part is for protection but also maybe cooling as well since the fans turn on half as much. Oh, and it can protect the the belts on the car... and a whole bunch of other things.

$45-$50 OEM w/o the 4 screws. Screw are cheap though. This protection piece is the middle one, under the car. There are also 1 on each side, located under the wheel wells. You have to have those too. $100 each, depending on side.

[ChristopherC]

Hi Dan and welcome to the forums. To answer your questions:

1. There is 1 piece that is considered the primary piece. It mounts horizontally under the engine and partially covers part of the engine. There are 2 additional pieces that mount vertically on either side of the engine. The primary mounts to the side pieces at 2 places. Depending on how violent the removal of your old shields were, you may need all 3 pieces.

2. These pieces help with noise reduction but unfortunately do very little to protect your engine.

3. OEM replacement parts are easy to locate - I've seen them on several aftermarket websites. I too recommend a Dieselgeek Panzer Plate.

[2000GLS]

Thanks to everyone for your replies! Looking more through the Bentley manual, I saw that there are in fact three panels for the assembly. It sometimes helps to do more thorough research...

I'm not sure if I'll replace them at this point. I don't know how long they've been off the car, since they weren't there when I bought it a while ago and I haven't noticed any problems so far.

This reminds me of the issue with the engine under-tray on my Porsche 993; more of a nuisance that provides no great benefit.