Engine Undertray

[bongod]

We've just bought a pretty standard 95 diesel auto 2WD freetop and i've been doing the general servicing I always do when getting a new vehicle.

Initially i couldnt see the sump plug, but did a search on the forum which suggested i should be able to reach it without jacking it up.
I still couldnt see it, so i proceeded to remove the undertray - which was a bit of a PITA, and had more bolts than I initially thought.
I dont think I could reach that sump plug from the side if the undertray was on.
Everythings very clear now with the undertray off, and i've even had a go at checking for air in the coolant (this one had a new head about a year ago) though I'm gonna have to repeat it with a better funnel arrangement - sprung a leak before the thermostat had opened.
But I'm not looking forward to getting the undertray back on.
It would obviously be a lot easier to get to everything if the undertray was left off - like certain cars i've had before.

I just wondered if anyone runs without the undertray, or is that a bad idea?
Alternatively if the undertray is always left on, do people put it on wheel ramps first to loosen the sump plug and the lower it to drain the oil?

Thanks for any opinions,
Bruce

[M 80NGO]

Hi there Bongod welcome to the gang, the undertray can be a bit of a pig but its there for a reason to protect engine electrics and metal cooling pipes from the elements aswell as create airflow to aid cooling so no i wouldn't run without it for a long period, i find that the easiest way of getting it on and off is get the front up on ramps then put a trolley jack underneath it to take the weight then undo all the bolts before letting the jack down, refitting is just the reversal.

[mister munkey]

Best to run it with the tray on. As said it keeps things clean, improves airflow around the hot bits down there & keeps the noise down.

Mine has a cut out around the sump plug hole to allow access, never had a problem with an oil change. Do some not have this feature?

[robdrinky]

Ours has the cutout in the tray for the sump plug-believe other owners have used suction pumps to carry out oil changes.
plenty of info if you do a search

[dave_aber]

Suction pumps are a dead easy (but a bit slow) way to get the oil out. Did mine yesterday in the pissing rain, with the door shut, sat in the driver's seat. Not many cars you can do that in!

[Flint]

Just got a suction pump and changed the oil - as said previously its easy - clean and no crawling about under the Bongo!

[mister munkey]

I believe THIS to be one of the favourites.

[martnin]

Bongod, to answer your original question, I have been running for about a year now without an understray - no problems at all.

[longhaul8]

Just ordered a pela pump 6 litre tank for £37 including p and p

[patnben]

I have 3 Bongos, one has always had a tray fitted, one was bought without a tray and
one had the tray removed to fit new hoses and made it easier to check for leaks and
was never replaced.

The only difference I know of over the past couple of years is that the one with the
tray fitted reduces the engine noise while it's running on my concrete drive.

I think the only reason the under tray is on the Bongo is to reduce traffic noise
in Japanese cities, The 2 without the tray run a lot cooler in the engine bay and
any coolant or oil leaks are much easier to see. Being a really old fart I could be
wrong.

I have used the Pela pump for years, best thing I ever did !!

Ben.

[Germarchip]

Bought one 3 months ago. Fantastic
http://www.mailspeedmarine.com/search.b ... =&x=35&y=9

[bongod]

Thanks to all,
Very useful info.
I have a pela 6000 on order now.
mine cost me 39.94 delivered from marine scene.co.uk so germachip's looks like a better deal.

Good to know it can be run OK without the undertray – have to do more coolant bleeding/checking first – officially on road/insurance starts on Thurs 21st!
Will get the tray back on eventually.

Yes, mine had a cutout too, prob below the sump plug, dunno – just that I could not see that from lying down beside the the vehicle (I keep having to stop myself calling it a car!) and took it (the undertray) right off before I realised.
I wasn’t jacking it up.

Cheers!