ran over something, ripped plastic parts from the bottom
 

Hi
Please help me identfy the part that needs to be replaced. I couldn't find it in the technical manual.(the one posted by somebody here that you can download PDF files from)
Whathappened was I ran over something that shook the car pretty hard. I think it was one of those tires that blew off a truck, because driving by later I saw one on the side of the road right around where it happened.
I'd like to find the part that should eb replaced because with winter coming I don't like the idea of water or snow or whatnot getting inside the engine compartment.
Here's some pics, unfortunately I couldn't get anything better from under the car.

It's hard to tell anything from the photos, maybe you can take pictures from a little further back to get a better idea of what areas the plastic is missing from. Also, year, model?

It looks like you just tore up the plastic underneeth. I wouldn't wory about it, it doesnt really serve a purpose. IVe been without mine for years and there are no problems.

All its there for is to make the underside of the car look better, and make it harder to flush your coolent.

it's a 2001 Protege. I just don't want stuff to get in the engine compartment. I know what corrosion can do and I doubt everything in it has been treated against.I have one of the ripped pieces, I'll take a pic of that.

here's one of the pieces of plastic I had to remove from the bottom :Kill1:


It has some identification on it, any idea where I can order it from or if I should even bother to replace it?

No idea what that piece is. I can't seem to find the right pages in the shop manual either. Should you bother to replace it? Personally, I would keep all the plastic shielding underneath the car intact. It adds virtually no weight to the car, is cheap to replace, and if you live in a wet climate, your belts and stuff will last longer if they're not constantly being splashed by rainwater.

Your first picture looks to be the cover for the gas tank. It seems it is just scuffed up, unless there are cracks not shown that piece should be okay.

It's too dark in the next two to see what you are showing, from the angle it looks like the splash guard under the engine. The last picture looks like the inside of one of your wheel wells, and the inner guard is missing off that. It depends upon who you talk to whether or not the guards are needed. Personally I think they help the engine compartment stay cleaner, and the one under the engine may help maximize airflow across the radiator. I am of the opinion that manufacturers won't put something on a car that is normally out of sight (how many people crawl under their cars?) unless there is a reason for it.

You should be able to go to a dealer, get a parts guy and show him the pieces that are broken or missing. He should then be able to find them on the computer and let you know numbers and prices. You can also just go to a junkyard and get what you need.

I cant tell what it is by the pics, but from experience with my 03 LX I do know that my engine bay splash guard on my car actually hangs a little low. If this is a problem on all Pros or just mine, I don't know, but I do know that I have scraped it on a number of things and wondered when it is going to get ripped off. My best bet would be that it was a splash guard for the engine compartment. whether or not to replaced it can be argued different ways, I agree with chiefmg. it doesnt add hardly any weight and the only thing it can be blamed for doing (aside from getting torn off and causing a headache :)) is protecting the engine bay from the elements. I would try to replace it if it wasn't too spendy to do so.

here's two good pics I took today. Can anyone point me to a description of the perts and an ordering website? I guess it's not a big priority to replace it?

Try this, I think you tore off one of these two covers, or maybe both. They are relatively cheap.

http://www.partstrain.com/products/E...A~PROTEGE.html

that might be it...thanks a lot for the link.

The only thing I can think of it being is one of those two shields. Hope u get it figured out!

thats exactly the piece it was. I wrecked mine last wnter some how. noticed it was hanging one day. I figure i hit a chuck of slush on a cold day shattered my guard on my RH side of the car. fairly cheap, cost no more then 20 CDN if i recall correctly.

J.