Engine bay splash guard

[hotweiss]

I was at a Honda dealership today and I noticed that the engine bay cover underneath is missing. Can you buy one?

[VicW]

Do you mean on a car that you were considering buying, if so it's up to the selling dealer to replace it surely?

Vic.

[hotweiss]

No, I was looking at a brand new Crosstar. There is no splash guard underneath! Kind of crazy in a hybrid.

[John Ratsey]

I queried this a couple of months ago and was told that Honda have left the undertrays off their recent vehicles. It can't save much money but will improve access for servicing. I wouldn't be worried about water splashing around - the electrics on modern vehicles are fairly well sealed and the HV electrics very well sealed - but the underside of the engine is more likely to end up filthy and there could well be some extra drag from turbulence.

[hotweiss]

I would still like to order one if possible.

[culzean]

I queried this a couple of months ago and was told that Honda have left the undertrays off their recent vehicles. It can't save much money but will improve access for servicing. I wouldn't be worried about water splashing around - the electrics on modern vehicles are fairly well sealed and the HV electrics very well sealed - but the underside of the engine is more likely to end up filthy and there could well be some extra drag from turbulence.

Is there anything in that area that needs cooling ? Could be hybrid needs extra airflow for something,  The undertray helps with aerodynamics so must be a reason to not fit one.

[hotweiss]

I queried this a couple of months ago and was told that Honda have left the undertrays off their recent vehicles. It can't save much money but will improve access for servicing. I wouldn't be worried about water splashing around - the electrics on modern vehicles are fairly well sealed and the HV electrics very well sealed - but the underside of the engine is more likely to end up filthy and there could well be some extra drag from turbulence.

Is there anything in that area that needs cooling ? Could be hybrid needs extra airflow for something,  The undertray helps with aerodynamics so must be a reason to not fit one.

I doubt it. Interesting to see if the Honda CRV hybrid has a splash guard...

[culzean]

I have read that the reason for the undertray is not so much aerodynamics or to keep engine bay clean and more to do with keeping noise levels down ( as heard from outside the car).  I know MOT tester is not allowed to remove undertray and if any faulty components under there they will not be inspected.  In 2018 new regs introduced which included the security of undertray fixing,  meaning that if it was hanging off or liable to fall off it would be at least an advisory.

Maybe hybrid cars quieter than older cars.

[Steve_M]

It is only Jazz Crosstar that does not have an engine under tray. It relates to the aero effect and due to the Crosstar higher ride height the additional aero effect is not a benefit to the overall emissions/CO2 figure.

[hotweiss]

It is only Jazz Crosstar that does not have an engine under tray. It relates to the aero effect and due to the Crosstar higher ride height the additional aero effect is not a benefit to the overall emissions/CO2 figure.

So can I buy a 2020 Jazz cover and install it in the Crosstar?

[Steve_M]

That will really depend on the other parts that the undertray fixes to, which I cannot confirm e.g front bumper/wheel arch liners.

The undertray will cost you around £500, so that might be the deciding factor.

[John Ratsey]

If the absence of the undertray has no adverse implications on the fuel economy (I hope Honda considered the likely increased airflow through the engine compartment which could slow engine warm-up in cold conditions) then the benefit of no undertray is that any items dropped in the engine comparment will be easier to retrieve.

[hotweiss]

If the absence of the undertray has no adverse implications on the fuel economy (I hope Honda considered the likely increased airflow through the engine compartment which could slow engine warm-up in cold conditions) then the benefit of no undertray is that any items dropped in the engine comparment will be easier to retrieve.

I am not worried about mpg's. I am worried that water and dirt will get in to the engine compartment and decrease its' life.