How important is the Splash Guard?
 

One time during a oil change the dealer misplace my splash guard (is that what you call it?or oil pan?, it is that large piece cover that goes under the car in the front of the engine) My question is
do I really need that piece? I live in Minnosota and soon the snow is coming.......can I live without that splash guard? Please help!!

John

The intro to service describes the plastic piece you are referring to as underbody paneling and as an aid to improve aerodynamics and thus fuel economy. They say it also serves as a splash guard.
My ex-boss (MB tech for more than 30 years) says its crap and it only disguises fluid leaks. He takes them all off and leaves them off.
He also claims leaving it off improves air circulation from under the engine. I just took one of mine off to see if theres any noticable difference.
I guess its your call whether you feel you need it or not.
Happy Holiday.
F.J.

F.J

That seems to make lots of sence in the summer or places with no snow but will this hold true during snow? thank-you again

John

To tell you the truth, I dont know.
I have to admit, I personally would feel better having it on there during winter. Since the dealer misplaced it, it makes sense to me that they replace it, their cost. No matter if you need it or not.
The fact is, they lost your property, so they should pay for the replacement. Just have them get you a new one and you'll have piece of mind. That's what counts.
Best of luck and happy holiday!
F.J.

I wish I could ask the dealer for it but it close it door year ago =!
I think it cost like a 100 buck for a new one!! please anybody live up north and could tell me if I really need that stupid splash guard!!! thank-you

John

you'll be able to get one cheap by calling the wrecking yards/ mb auto dismantlers/ recyclers...no problemo

as a favor ask for the securing MB mounting screws/fastners too- it'll take about 10 minutes to re-install

good luck
-fad

JOHNSC16V,

I tend to agree with the suggestions by F.J. Lahme that the issue is peace of mind. I personally would favor replacing the part, just as I would replace a rear seat window winding mechanism even if no one ever sits back there. However, cars have been around for a while and only recently started having underbody aerodynamic parts, so the question of whether or not there will be a problem with snow depends on how much snow there is. Without the part in place your car will behave pretty much the same as other, older cars that never had them.

I have driven in a number of nasty snow storms and the only problem I had was with the auxilary fans getting clogged with snow so they would not turn. Eventually the car started to heat up and I stopped and cleared the mess out, but it was snowing so hard, and it was so cold out that it built right up again. Huge pain in the rear, as the wipers got loaded with crap when I stopped, so each stop was 15 minutes of clearing junk out of the machinery every hour or so of driving. The underbody part would not likely have had an effect on this problem whether it was there or not (it was there).

So, I would put it in just because I don't like parts missing. But I do not consider the part you are missing a key engineering feature of the car.

Good Luck this Winter! Jim

Splash Guard
 

On a trip in L.A. a few months ago I was sailing along on the 101 headed to Santa Barbara when all of of sudden I heard a loud pop and a sound like a high pressure hose rupturing. Upon slowing down from about 85 MPH I pulled off to the side of the road I looked under the front of the car and there hung the splash guard with both front fasteners missing. Pulled into a garage and had them put the W 140 on a hoist and remove the splash guard completely. Charge was $38. When I got back to Phoenix I told my service advisor about it and he promptly had a new one installed, at no cost to me, since I had just had an oil change prior to the trip and the technician must have left the front fasteners loose. When I asked why the guard was in place I was told "for aerodynamics at high speed", so I make sure I drive as often as possible at high speed, conditions permitting.

On my 98 E320 (W210) I noticed that the alternator is located fairly low. With the splash guard in place it would help protect rain and snow from getting in the coils of the alternator.

As far as the remark "only disguises fluid leaks", that is why I do my own oil changes (by removing the drain plug) and take a good look around to inspect for fluid leaks, rubber boots, etc. This is something that you cannot get at a "fast oil change" facility.

Good point on the alternator location. That's really something to keep in mind.

RE: Splash guard
 

I've been driving my 126 without the splash guard for about 4 years in all sorts of weather. No problems as of yet. As far as the Alternator goes, on a previous Volvo with a similiar set up, I did burn out an Alt from splashing to hard through a puddle. Don't know if I'm just going slower through puddles now or if the Alternators position protects it better.

The splash guard is there for aerodynamic AND engine protection reasons. The guard protects the surpentine belt, alternator, A/C clutch, A/C Compressor speed signal sensing system and numerous electrical connections. It also controls airflow through the engine compartment and keeps the compartment MUCH cleaner. It should be in place. Make them replace it. As far as leaks go, I think it serves better to identify leaks by catching them rather than letting them drip on the ground where they may go unnoticed.

I do not run a splash guard on any of my vehicles. I did replace the alternator on the E320 at around 95k miles. I always look at the garage area underneath the E320 and the driveway area underneath the 300D to make sure there are no leaks. I want to know if any of mine are leaking as soon as I move them. I don't look under the Honda very much but you really don't have to:).

Don't pay $100 for a splash guard. Instead, replace it with a real Mercedes skid-plate! I have one on both the wagon and 500E.

Budget about $105. Very thick and rugged, and it will protect your oil-pan from dips and gouges. Can you imagine the damage of busting a hole in your oil pan?

BTW- they make one for the W126 as well.
Check out the PartsLane or Randy at EPS Parts (http://www.epsparts.com).

Check it out:
http://www.dhc.net/~pmhack/mercedes/300te88d.jpg

More images at:
http://www.dhc.net/~pmhack/mercedes/300te882.htm
http://www.silcom.com/~neilv/sportline

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

Funny that! I DID crack my oil pan about a year ago coming out of a gas station! I didn't notice it until the next day when there was oil ALL over the driveway (don't remember why I hadn't parked in the garage...). Anyway, I drove it straight to the mechanic (still oil in it). A day later, and about $150 (atleast I got an oil change! ;) ), I got my car back. Instead of replacing the oil pan ($$$$$$$$$), they were able to JBWeld it back together. Well about 30k miles later, still doesn't leak!
BTW, I heard the entire assembly for the metal skid plate was about $180. MBenz (Steve) once gave me all the part numbers. I will purchase it some day,............