Engine undertray cut at the port??

XT6Wagon · 08-16-2003, 01:04 AM

I am 90% sure that my undertray was not cut when I got the car, but it definitly was after I took the car in for its first oil change. Had nasty hacksaw marks where someone had cut a section out on the drivers side near the drain plug.

All the new STi's also have the cut, but they seemed much smoother like they used a hotwire cutter or something.

HOWEVER the owners manual shows the undertray w/o any cut at all.

So can anyone think of a good reason for them to have cut it? I made the dealer order me one from japan just because having it cut is not acceptible in my book regardless of the reason.

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markpaco · 08-16-2003, 01:58 AM

what dealer did you go to? Sounds like they got lazy. The splash guard isn't even that hard to remove.

rlavalle · 08-16-2003, 03:24 AM

Mine was delivered whole. I heard of one person getting theirs cut when taking the car to the dealer for an oil change.

I'd have them replace it.

Russ

lstepnio · 08-16-2003, 06:23 AM

Have them replace it. They should know that STi owners are going to be freaks and notice crap like this.

Darwood · 08-17-2003, 12:58 AM

I had my oil changed at the dealers and I just checked and yes, my undertray is cut. It's missing a peice that connects it to itself around the drain plug. So it's confimed this isn't normal right? I think I'll be talking to the dealership on Monday.

Mr. Grinch · 08-17-2003, 05:32 PM

I'm looking forward to hearing what the dealer's excuse for this is.

I guess it's not enough to take pics of the odom before going in for service. Now you have to do the undertray too.

Jon [in CT] · 08-17-2003, 05:46 PM

It sounds like maybe Subaru Western Region is instructing the technicians to do this in the 2004 New Model Update (NMUD) class.

Darwood · 08-18-2003, 12:58 AM

I does kinda seem like it was something the western region dealers were told to do. Yay!

I'll post what the dealer does/says after I talk to them tomorrow.

bigdong123 · 08-18-2003, 03:25 AM

if they cut your splash guards or any of the covering underneath the car i would just punch them straight in the face or tell them to go you know where and then punch them either way some1's got to pay for doing that to the car how could they be so stupid

Porter · 08-18-2003, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bigdong123
if they cut your splash guards or any of the covering underneath the car i would just punch them straight in the face or tell them to go you know where and then punch them either way some1's got to pay for doing that to the car how could they be so stupid

Wow.

Do you like ninjas?

VVVV · 08-18-2003, 10:15 AM

Seeing as how the drain plug is one of the most vulnerable points of the undercarriage, and that it has the most dire consequences if it fails, wouldn't cutting the tray defeat the entire purpose of having it in the first place.

Thank you. I don't think I'll even use the free oil change certificates they included with the car. I can't believe the laziness of some people.

rlavalle · 08-18-2003, 11:26 AM

Well, the undertray is soft plastic, so I don't imagine it would provide a ton of protection to the drain plug. Maybe one sacrificial instance.

I think aerodynamics and water spray protection are the primary purposes of the splash guard.

Russ

shaolin9 · 08-18-2003, 12:19 PM

I am surprised no one has started inquiring or maybe you guys have, but I would be putting a skidplate on maybe one from Primitive or whoever used to make them for the WRX. Same thing for the diff protection.

I think the Primitive and the (Gooseman made) skidplates had optional holes so your hand could get in there for oil changes, otherwise it was like 5 screws to remove the plate before an oil change.

This used to be pretty popular among the WRX when it came out.

Mr. Grinch · 08-18-2003, 01:03 PM

A metal version sounds better. But I'm thinking for the people who already had the cover modified by the dealer, it might be possible to at least clean it up with a dremel or something.

I'm also curious if this is any different from the WRX... did the cover prevent access to the oil drain plug, did dealers modify it, or did it come with an opening to the drain plug from factory.

Darwood · 08-18-2003, 02:51 PM

Ok here is a picture that I've modified to show where my undertray was cut. The red lines show the cuts. This isn't normal right?

Darwood · 08-19-2003, 02:13 AM

Is anyone elses undertray cut like this? It is starting to seem like it is a factory or port thing.

thebishman · 08-19-2003, 10:57 AM

Same with my car; have no idea if it was done by the selling dealer or at the Port.

CloNeGTS · 08-19-2003, 10:58 AM

I have the same pattern on my car. This is either a factory or port activity as my car has not been to a dealer for an oil change.

XT6Wagon · 08-19-2003, 03:28 PM

Well Its not there for protection, its there to get better cooling of the motor, and to provide more front downforce.

With that part cut out my tray atleast is starting to deform and sag. Which can't be good for it working properly.

BlueSTI4Me · 08-19-2003, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CloNeGTS
I have the same pattern on my car. This is either a factory or port activity as my car has not been to a dealer for an oil change.

Mine has the same opening. I also notice it in the new product guide information.

BlueSTi4me

rlavalle · 08-20-2003, 12:51 AM

Funny, I was thinking I was safe and that various other people had the cut undertray... well, mine's cut too. And it's never been in for service. I also had them do a light PDI, so maybe it is a port thing.

I took photos and will post later.

Russ

08-16-2003, 01:04 AM	#1
XT6Wagon Scooby Specialist Member#: 524 Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: WA Vehicle: 04 STi White	Engine undertray cut at the port?? I am 90% sure that my undertray was not cut when I got the car, but it definitly was after I took the car in for its first oil change. Had nasty hacksaw marks where someone had cut a section out on the drivers side near the drain plug. All the new STi's also have the cut, but they seemed much smoother like they used a hotwire cutter or something. HOWEVER the owners manual shows the undertray w/o any cut at all. So can anyone think of a good reason for them to have cut it? I made the dealer order me one from japan just because having it cut is not acceptible in my book regardless of the reason. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

08-18-2003, 12:19 PM	#13
shaolin9 Scooby Newbie Member#: 9608 Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Houston Vehicle: 05 Legacy GT Wagon Satin White Pearl	which leads me to ask.... I am surprised no one has started inquiring or maybe you guys have, but I would be putting a skidplate on maybe one from Primitive or whoever used to make them for the WRX. Same thing for the diff protection. I think the Primitive and the (Gooseman made) skidplates had optional holes so your hand could get in there for oil changes, otherwise it was like 5 screws to remove the plate before an oil change. This used to be pretty popular among the WRX when it came out.

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08-16-2003, 01:58 AM	#2
markpaco Scooby Newbie Member#: 33743 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hawaii Vehicle: 2004 Impreza WRX STi WRB/Silver	what dealer did you go to? Sounds like they got lazy. The splash guard isn't even that hard to remove.

08-16-2003, 03:24 AM	#3
rlavalle Scooby Specialist Member#: 18384 Join Date: May 2002 Location: Seattle 'burb (Kirkland) Vehicle: 2004 STi: 580 AWHP Java Black Pearl	Mine was delivered whole. I heard of one person getting theirs cut when taking the car to the dealer for an oil change. I'd have them replace it. Russ

08-16-2003, 06:23 AM	#4
lstepnio Scooby Specialist Member#: 10972 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Tampabay, Florida Vehicle: 2004 STi (fuxor3d!!) 2004 Forester X	Have them replace it. They should know that STi owners are going to be freaks and notice crap like this.

08-17-2003, 12:58 AM	#5
Darwood Scooby Newbie Member#: 29669 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Vehicle: 2004 Impreza WRX STi White	I had my oil changed at the dealers and I just checked and yes, my undertray is cut. It's missing a peice that connects it to itself around the drain plug. So it's confimed this isn't normal right? I think I'll be talking to the dealership on Monday.

08-17-2003, 05:32 PM	#6
Mr. Grinch Scooby Newbie Member#: 34416 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Calgary, AB, Canada Vehicle: 2002 BMW M3 Alpine White	I'm looking forward to hearing what the dealer's excuse for this is. I guess it's not enough to take pics of the odom before going in for service. Now you have to do the undertray too.

08-17-2003, 05:46 PM	#7
Jon [in CT] * Banned * Member#: 2992 Join Date: Nov 2000 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Connecticut, USA Vehicle: 02 WRX Sedan Silver	It sounds like maybe Subaru Western Region is instructing the technicians to do this in the 2004 New Model Update (NMUD) class.

08-18-2003, 12:58 AM	#8
Darwood Scooby Newbie Member#: 29669 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Vehicle: 2004 Impreza WRX STi White	I does kinda seem like it was something the western region dealers were told to do. Yay! I'll post what the dealer does/says after I talk to them tomorrow.

08-18-2003, 03:25 AM	#9
bigdong123 Scooby Newbie Member#: 40572 Join Date: Jul 2003	if they cut your splash guards or any of the covering underneath the car i would just punch them straight in the face or tell them to go you know where and then punch them either way some1's got to pay for doing that to the car how could they be so stupid

08-18-2003, 10:15 AM	#11
VVVV Scooby Newbie Member#: 37205 Join Date: May 2003 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Colorado Vehicle: 2004 STI WRB	Seeing as how the drain plug is one of the most vulnerable points of the undercarriage, and that it has the most dire consequences if it fails, wouldn't cutting the tray defeat the entire purpose of having it in the first place. Thank you. I don't think I'll even use the free oil change certificates they included with the car. I can't believe the laziness of some people.

08-18-2003, 11:26 AM	#12
rlavalle Scooby Specialist Member#: 18384 Join Date: May 2002 Location: Seattle 'burb (Kirkland) Vehicle: 2004 STi: 580 AWHP Java Black Pearl	Well, the undertray is soft plastic, so I don't imagine it would provide a ton of protection to the drain plug. Maybe one sacrificial instance. I think aerodynamics and water spray protection are the primary purposes of the splash guard. Russ

08-18-2003, 01:03 PM	#14
Mr. Grinch Scooby Newbie Member#: 34416 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Calgary, AB, Canada Vehicle: 2002 BMW M3 Alpine White	A metal version sounds better. But I'm thinking for the people who already had the cover modified by the dealer, it might be possible to at least clean it up with a dremel or something. I'm also curious if this is any different from the WRX... did the cover prevent access to the oil drain plug, did dealers modify it, or did it come with an opening to the drain plug from factory.

08-18-2003, 02:51 PM	#15
Darwood Scooby Newbie Member#: 29669 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Vehicle: 2004 Impreza WRX STi White	Ok here is a picture that I've modified to show where my undertray was cut. The red lines show the cuts. This isn't normal right?

08-19-2003, 02:13 AM	#16
Darwood Scooby Newbie Member#: 29669 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Vehicle: 2004 Impreza WRX STi White	Is anyone elses undertray cut like this? It is starting to seem like it is a factory or port thing.

08-19-2003, 10:57 AM	#17
thebishman Scooby Newbie Member#: 38143 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Topeka, KS Vehicle: 2004 STi WRB/Gold	Same with my car; have no idea if it was done by the selling dealer or at the Port.

08-19-2003, 10:58 AM	#18
CloNeGTS Scooby Newbie Member#: 23341 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Overland Park, KS Vehicle: 04 Rex STi WRB/Gold	I have the same pattern on my car. This is either a factory or port activity as my car has not been to a dealer for an oil change.

08-19-2003, 03:28 PM	#19
XT6Wagon Scooby Specialist Member#: 524 Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: WA Vehicle: 04 STi White	Well Its not there for protection, its there to get better cooling of the motor, and to provide more front downforce. With that part cut out my tray atleast is starting to deform and sag. Which can't be good for it working properly.

08-20-2003, 12:51 AM	#21
rlavalle Scooby Specialist Member#: 18384 Join Date: May 2002 Location: Seattle 'burb (Kirkland) Vehicle: 2004 STi: 580 AWHP Java Black Pearl	Funny, I was thinking I was safe and that various other people had the cut undertray... well, mine's cut too. And it's never been in for service. I also had them do a light PDI, so maybe it is a port thing. I took photos and will post later. Russ