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I recently bought a 93 940 wagon with 147K miles in MA, and the belly pan is missing (for some time, I gather). Looks a bit rustier than normal down around the a/c compressor and the crank pulley. Other than cosmetics, is there any real drawback to driving w/o the belly pan ? Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks.
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My experience is that cars in drier areas aren't affected much, other than the help the pan gives with airflow and such. However Eastern cars are definitely affected. I find a higher failure rate on AC compressors and alternators as well as their mounts and mounting hardware.
Most important, and I don't know if this applies to 7 series but it does to 2-series: The steering shaft universal joints are much more subject to corrosion from road salt and moisture and fail sooner without the pan.
One more thing, it protects the hot air tube.
Keep that splash pan in place.
DS
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...FYI, IPD sells belly pans, and gives instruction how to install it. I have one of them.. Plastic.
The BAD thing about the belly pan is that you sometimes have to remove it first if working on the car (not for an oil change though).
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and FCPgroton sells them in two quality levels, both less expensive than IPDs. eeuroparts sells them inexpensively too, but it isn't on their site, you have to email them for the part number to order.
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Andy in St. Paul - '91 745 218K mi, '91 745 210K, '90 744 189K, all Rex-Regina - past 240s
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eeuroparts has free shipping for orders over $40. Get the pan and some filters for $40 for a good deal.
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Paul NW Indiana '89 740 Turbo 128,000
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thanks for the info.
IPD seems to do a good job on advertising and web design.
I simply did not know about such a good place as FCPGroton that time.
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I have only ordered from IPD once: 740 floor trays when they were on clearance in the Spring, and I sure do like them.
I do believe IPD has quality stuff, but at a premium price. Kind of like your Volvo dealer, only less so. And IPD sells a few nice-to-have items that aren't available elsewhere. But for general maintenance items, I think identical parts can be had elsewhere for considerably less.
Their catalog sure is nice.
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Andy in St. Paul - '91 745 227K mi, '91 745 210K, '90 744 194K, all Rex-Regina; '86 745 GLE M46 230K; past 240s
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I have bought several Volvos ( and I live in MA) which didn't have the belly pans. The first thing I do is replace them. They keep water and dirt from getting in there, and maybe an errant rock into the belts.
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744 & 745 GLE's (IPD a-sbars)16v M46, 245 SE(IPD a-sbars) auto, 242Ti M46(IPD springs and bars), 745GL 8v auto
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The belly pan also feeds the air from the fan across the engine,
especially at low speed,and improves undercar aerodynamics.
Pop rivets and thin aluminum can be used to repair tattered ones.
Ken
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White 86-245 DL, M 46, IPD bars & Wagon Overloads,Commando Bumpers,SS Belly Pan & Air Pickup,Straight-Shot EMT Chassis & Tower Braces,Scorpius Alloys,2 Belt No AC Conversion,Black POR-15 No Glare Front End
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What happens when your wife has an altercation with a curb (the curb lost by the way) and not only rips out the belly pan but bends the front edge of the suspension subframe so you can't put a new one on?
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Not familiar with the details of a 700,but,
Stuff it in and figure out how to attach it anyway.
Pop rivet a strip of aluminum across the back edge to lengthen it.
Also check for clearance between engine and firewall,sounds like a pretty good hit.
The front crossmember may be rolled a bit.
Or make one out of Stainless Steel,so it doesn't blow up.
Good luck
Ken
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White 86-245 DL, M 46, IPD bars & Wagon Overloads,Commando Bumpers,SS Belly Pan & Air Pickup,Straight-Shot EMT Chassis & Tower Braces,Scorpius Alloys,2 Belt No AC Conversion,Black POR-15 No Glare Front End
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...while getting another wife under the described circumstances might be the first what comes to your mind, that is not what I would advise.
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It is well known fact in the UK, that driving without the belly pan reduces mpg significantly, possibly by more than ten mpg
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10 mpg up from the belly pan installed?!
I could expect 1 MPG at most. I would be happier living in UK I guess. After installing a belly pan here in US, my MPG did not improve at all :(
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