How important is an engine splash shield?

[Hellotalkie]

My 1997 honda civic is missing the front engine splash shield. Belts squeak when it rains but go away shortly after driving.

I'm looking for shields, all are around 100 dollars!
The fender shields are intact but I know for sure the center shield for the engine bay is missing.

Any suggestions where I can get a shield? Does anyone know if I will need fasteners or do they just use the existing bolts under the bay.

Thanks

This is what I'm looking at:
http://www.partstrain.com/store/det...trehondacivic19922000replacement1316197enspsh
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/30x-...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4aa88b5b2d

 

[Bartman39]

Salvage yard...?

 

[Eli]

Underpanels are more for aerodynamics than anything else.

It will affect your mileage very slightly at highway speeds.

 

[Hellotalkie]

Underpanels are more for aerodynamics than anything else.

It will affect your mileage very slightly at highway speeds.

How damaging is it to my alternator/belts, that they are most likely getting some water because of having no shield?

 

[brblx]

i don't recall any older honda having a cover beneath the engine. hell, i don't recall any newer ones, for that matter.

are you just talking about the piece that goes between the edge of the bumper skin and the rad support?

 

[Hellotalkie]

i don't recall any older honda having a cover beneath the engine. hell, i don't recall any newer ones, for that matter.

are you just talking about the piece that goes between the edge of the bumper skin and the rad support?

No, not really. When I bought the car, it did not have a engine shield. I was assuming it had failed or been removed.

The main problem is my belts are constantly squeaking due to the rain getting into the bay. I replaced my fender shields

If you look on my first post, I linked a engine shield. I do not have that in place and I'm guessing that is what I'm missing.

 

[brblx]

oh, missed that link somewhow.

yeah, that just goes between the bumper and the forward edge of the front subframe. not really under the engine, and certainly won't block water from splashing inside it. probably help though, but i'd imagine most of what comes in from beneath your front bumper just hits the radiator/condenser. are the front fender liners in place? water is a lot more likely to splash on the belts through the driver's fender.

more than likely, you need a new belt and maybe a tensioner.

 

[Hellotalkie]

oh, missed that link somewhow.

yeah, that just goes between the bumper and the forward edge of the front subframe. not really under the engine, and certainly won't block water from splashing inside it. probably help though, but i'd imagine most of what comes in from beneath your front bumper just hits the radiator/condenser. are the front fender liners in place? water is a lot more likely to splash on the belts through the driver's fender.

more than likely, you need a new belt and maybe a tensioner.

Yeah the front fender liners are definitely in place. When I look under the car, I can see the belts, its hard to imagine NOT getting water in them, they are very low to the ground. Design flaw?

The belts are new, as well as the alternator (6 months). My mechanic doesn't really know whats going on, he has tighten the belts before.

Thanks for the input, you just saved me some green.

I'm taking pictures right now, will be up in a couple minutes. Don't know if it'll do anything for you guys.

Kinda difficult to see but fender guard is intact

 

[brblx]

Yeah the front fender liners are definitely in place. When I look under the car, I can see the belts, its hard to imagine NOT getting water in them, they are very low to the ground. Design flaw?

The belts are new, as well as the alternator (6 months). My mechanic doesn't really know whats going on, he has tighten the belts before.

Thanks for the input, you just saved me some green.

i donno, some cars (corolla comes to mind) don't even come with that panel, but it seems more integral in your case. if drive belts protrude below the lower subframe, yeah, they're gonna pretty much constantly get wet without a shield. i'm just not sure how that piece would shield them.

 

[Hellotalkie]

i donno, some cars (corolla comes to mind) don't even come with that panel, but it seems more integral in your case. if drive belts protrude below the lower subframe, yeah, they're gonna pretty much constantly get wet without a shield. i'm just not sure how that piece would shield them.

I'm stumped as well, pictures uploaded.

 

[brblx]

there should be a panel there between the wheel and the front of the engine.

i don't think the part in the OP is correct, but it's hard to know because it looks like that's a generic picture they're giving.

i would call the honda dealer and at least get a part name/number.

 

[Hellotalkie]

Hmmm ok, wonder why the panel was removed

This is what I installed on both sides of the car, fender splash shield. Not the same?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-SPLASH-SHIELD-FENDER-PLASTIC-LEFT-HONDA-CIVIC-CAR-/250794162474

 

[exdeath]

Not really critical. Many cars don't have them at all. It's not so much to protect the engine as it is to reduce road noise and help with aero and mpg.

 

[Kroze]

They're not important and missing them doesn't cause your belt to squeek.

your belt need to me tightened or replaced. Most likely it need to be replace.

 

[Hellotalkie]

Not really critical. Many cars don't have them at all. It's not so much to protect the engine as it is to reduce road noise and help with aero and mpg.

Ok, So is it just coincidence that the squeaking only occurs when it rains? Or is it that a "good" belt can get wet but still not squeak? And that I have a bad belt that cannot operate normal when wet.

 

[Eli]

The belt shouldn't be slipping when wet. The engine bay isn't exactly sealed from the environment; its expected that it will get very, very wet.