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Engine Splash Shield

17K views 62 replies 16 participants last post by  cadillacmike68  
#1 ·
I lost my rear engine splash shield under my car this week. Ran thru a large puddle (okay, it was a stinking flood and I didn't see it in time). All was well until I got up to speed on the eway. I heard a scraping sound but was in rush hour traffic. When I got home I saw it was trashed. Today I just removed it and said, "Screw it". Other than making life easier when I change my oil is there any benefit or detriment with it gone?
 
#11 ·
Think of the splash shield (belly pan) as a cup for your engine. You rarely, if ever, need it but if and when you do, you'll be glad you had it.

It also reduces drag and high speed uplift.
 
#13 ·
I thought of fabricating one from aluminum and bolting it in where the front shield bolts to the rear bolts. Those cheap push pins are what failed.
 
#14 ·
Question - so that I'm clear on this subject - the "front splash shield" is basically under the radiator and the "rear splash shield" is under the engine - does this have to be removed when the oil gets changed (my car does not have this one currently)? Is there a splash shield that goes under the transmission?
 
#20 ·
The one pictured above covers the transmission and the back end of the engine, the front shield covers the front end and the radiatorhttps://uploads.tapatalk

Thank you - so can the oil be changed without removing the "back splash shield" because if it does have to be removed the oil man will most likely lay it aside when he completes the oil change - yes? Also I notice 2 different styles of "back" splash shield - I assume RWD and AWD being the difference - yes?
 
#23 ·
Yes two different splash shields for awd and RWD. And advise whoever is doing that oil change to make sure they put the shields back properly, one missing clip and the wind will do the rest. I've gone through 3 in total before giving up and removing them all together (talking about the front shields)

When I bought my car both the front and rear splash shields were missing and part of the front left inner fender was damaged - so I replaced both the inner fender and the front splash shield not knowing there was supposed to be a rear splash shield too - but I discovered the important of having a front splash shield while installing it is that it supports both left & right inner fenders and the front lower bumper - the shield ties all 3 together. You all might want to note this in each of your situations - IMHO I think the lack of the rear splash shield is a minor concern.
 
#16 · (Edited)
For some reason my cut and paste of an exploded view of the underside shields is blocked.
I went to gmpartsdirect and went to "body" , drilled down to "splash shields" and there they are, all in vivid black & white.
 
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#24 ·
Not necessarily, only caution for Not have the front shields is the brake duct hoses falling off and damaging the wiper fluid reservoir (for the v bumper). As stated before I've had mine off for over 2 years and some, the inner wheel liners attach to the front bumper. That's all it needs.



Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk
 
#25 ·
I'm a fan of keeping that plastic stuff in order. Too bad the factory didn't do a little nicer job for us, but these panels do have effects like aero which is MPG and reduction in lift, not to mention keeping the engine clean. And then there are the brake ducts on the '08-'09. I spent $40 replacing missing parts that some lazy oil change (or other) guy lost before I bought the car. I can feel those ducts work during those rare hard braking events.

I always keep a few extra of the plastic christmas trees and push-pins around. It is easy to order extras online at the same time you buy your replacment panel.

In a few years you won't have the luxury of buying replacement underbody plastic parts. Consider yourself lucky you can easily replace it today.
 
#37 ·
that's "fast"? wow, I'm still trying to beat the 200 miles in 2.5 hr barrier I always get behind sumguy in a wagon slowing me down! lol He was my friend last w/e thou...or we be pen pals :canttalk:
 
#36 ·
One thing that was mentioned in the link @jayoldschool posted was airflow management for the cooling system. While we usually take this for granted as the design is already done for us, airflow through the radiator is every bit as important as radiator size/capacity when it comes to cooling. I was surprised at how small the CTS radiator is, as well as how much hot air blows out from underneath the car when the electric fan is on.
 
#38 ·
I recall reading that the splash shield was integral to air flow management for proper cooling of the engine. But then I've read where folks have ditched the splash shield and not had a problem. I even had a Cadillac dealer replace my huge AWD splash shield with the smaller RWD one and try to tell me it was OK. Seems to be many opinions on the worth of the splash shield.
 
#39 ·
I recall reading that the splash shield was integral to air flow management for proper cooling of the engine. But then I've read where folks have ditched the splash shield and not had a problem.
One would have to test over a wide range of temperature, speed and load to prove the *lack* of a problem. Having been through a few cooling airflow experiences with other cars I'm willing to give the engineers the benefit of the doubt regarding airflow.
 
#40 ·
I'll let you know. Two weeks of 96 degrees F and no end in sight. I'm certain to be caught in stop and go traffic. I do have to add that one time I was in a store for close to an hour. In 90 degree sunshine I left my dog in the car with the engine and a/c running. I checked often and the temp needle never moved off of normal. I was impressed with the cooling system. This was at idle with zero airflow.
 
#41 ·
Electric fan is pretty good and critical to AC working. My experience is V6s and particularly NA aluminum ones are easy to keep cool.

I expect spikes in May-June and then just plain hot until mid-September.

Here in O'town we've started getting a few showers at random times.

ps "normal" on mine is 203F. Personally expect a good cooling system to go no more than 100F over ambient.