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As much as I tinker on the car
I think it will just be a PITA to take it on off. But if it's an essential component of the engine cooling I want it on.
I know it keeps the underside cleaner but where I live in Palm Springs-it literally rains like 2-3 times a year 1/4"! Driving in rain, mud, the usually waterborne messy stuff just doesn't happen here. Thanks in advance-
It's there for slight aero benefit to keep a majority of the air from stalling in the engine bay. Also there to keep debris away from the accessory belts.
As for cooling it's likely minimal, but by minimizing stalled air it's theoretically keeping the engine area cooler.
It was meant to be there, why not keep it there? Better airflow (aerodynamics) and less dirt/water ingestion into the engine area. I can't prove it, but there's a chance it would impact the airflow into the radiator.
Mine ran cooler with the tray UNTIL I replaced the rad with an new Aluminum one. Now it runs cooler all the time, with or without the tray never above the halfway mark. My guess is with the marginal rad the tray helped
Thanks all for the varied input. As I said initially-my car didn't have the tray and it's an expense taking back seat to other more critical service parts needed.
My radiator has recently been replaced and it looks to be an aluminum radiator-weren't they all aluminum? Anyway it was installed in 2017 and I think my high temps are within range and correct for living in 120 degree F heat! Never hit's the red mark, highest sitting in traffic has been no higher than 2nd white mark.
Originally Posted by maint
Mine ran cooler with the tray UNTIL I replaced the rad with an new Aluminum one. Now it runs cooler all the time, with or without the tray never above the halfway mark. My guess is with the marginal rad the tray helped
keep an eye on the health of your engine mounts. There is a train of thought that the tray helps direct air over them helps stop the exhaust side from cooking.
One time when I changed the belts and rollers, I left the undertrays off. Reason being I expected to be in there again to check the tensions in 2 or 3 months. During that time when I was travelling close to flat out, the steering went very light. Not a nice experience at that speed. I haven't left the undertrays off since.
Thanks @ Blade7 & JiNX3D & MAINT-great input on the subject. I have a newish radiator that was installed 4,000 miles ago but it's OEM not the all allunimum one mentioned. My car did not come to me with the tray from PO but I'll look for a used one or find one at pick a part on another 944.
Much appreciated!
While not 944-related, when I changed out the damaged undertray on my '90 Miata with a new one, I saw a 10-15* reduction of oil temperature on the street and a 30-40* reduction at the track (when measured at the sump) on a car without any oil cooling. Sure, it's not directly related to the 944 but it made me believe that these things do help shed some extra heat even if it's in a way that may not be obviously noticeable.
Never mind the cooling , it can save your oil pan from being torn off if you go over a curb ...
I got pushed into a high speed bump during a race and it took out half the cooling fins on the bottom of my oil pan !
10-09-2021, 01:25 PM
Engine under tray-yes or no?
