Guess it had to happen sometime, any suggestions for a replacement, believe there are many alternatives from Aluminium to Kevlar or back to the original. Will appreciate any advice, no doubt the GT will be better with an undertray, it is not a car, it is an Alfa Romeo.
I've driven over 60,000ks without the one on my car.
No issues and I certainly don't miss it when I change the oil/filter or want to inspect something.
I'm sure somebody will be along in a moment to tell me how dangerous/bad/stupid this is.
My experience would suggest it's not.
Plenty of pros and cons. Either way, as Craig suggests, it's not a death knell to the engine bay. There's plenty of stone guarding covers for the belts and Ive gone 2 years without them on my Alfas. Having said that, I would like to reinstall it when finances allow. They do give better protection, the recent service saw the 147 sump plug frozen in place from a scrape. Had to replace it in the end. The guards also give better heat dissipation, causing a low pressure zone in the engine bay, hence air wants to get in there through the radiator and escape out back whilst driving.
Depends on cost. I'd go aluminium, wasn't aware of Kevlar though so can't give an idea on its longevity.
The recent VF Commodore had one fitted to lesson drag and improve fuel consumption, so it must be there for a reason, as Alfa Romeo would delete it to save money.
Its good for directing air in and out of the engine bay and keeps out mud and rocks from the engine.
Its also good for collecting drips from the oil and coolant system from your driveway....but only up to a point.
You can look in your engine bay and see if there is any stains on the undertray indicating leak.
Alfa Stumper sell alloy ones with apparantly more ground clearance, Colin
Aluminium versions will give more clearance, about an inch. But shipping from overseas is a major detraction, but many people have organised group buys to spread the cost (not on this forum though).
They definitely reduce the accumulation of dirt and grime throughout the engine bay, particularly on wet roads.
:)
Cynical me thinks "they" just scan the forums until somebody has a need
Nothing wrong with that of course.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Alfa-Romeo-156-2-0-JTS-Gravel-Tray-/151399775029?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2340213b35&_uhb=1
No idea if it fits, ePer will tell.
I'd be surprised if it couldn't be made too
I would buy it if i lived in NSW, mine has been repaired a lot, but it is for the JTS, the V-6 in the GT would be different, i go after buy the correct one and avoid all the stuffing around.
A tip for making them last, is when they come loose, put the fasteners back in, as they start to flex and the material tears and falls down and scrapes on driveways, i repaired mine with galvanised sheet metal, so it wouldn't rust and some pop rivets and washers, Colin.