Under the engine on my SC is a flimsy piece of plastic that looks like it was only there to keep dirt and water out. Mine is cracked and broken in a couple of different spots and hangs down about 3 inches. I can see it hanging down and it kinda bothers me. I also don't want it ripping off while I'm driving and hitting anything under my car or the car behind me.

Other than the engine getting a little dirtier, any down side to taking it off?

 

I guess it would only be a problem if water gets up in the accessory belts, causing them to slip?

 

Also I think this was designed to direct air flow around the engine too to keep it cooler.

 

That's affirmative Hermosa, plus it also keeps debris from hitting your radiator too.

 

Vegas,

I have the same problem. A lexus tech caught that my black plastic was hanging down a few inches. He said that it did not matter to take it off. He said that your engine will just get dirtier. If you dont want to leave it off you could always call a junk yard and see if they have one. Hope this helps.

SCfan

 

About the shoud. Does it have to be removed to change the oil? Wouldn't removing the filter and plug cause it to be covered in oil? Time for my first oil change.

 

The piece I'm talking about is further back under the car. It's too hot here to add any more heat to the engine. I think I'll leave it till I can pick up a new one. Thanks for the help guys.

 

yes you will need to remove that cover many times...when you change oil, change lights, change the alternator or the power steering pump...

CEO

 

I think anything on the car was put there for a reason
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I dont have one there anymore

 

I went to the PLP grand opening in Fremont California. They sell items for the IS300 and maybe the gs. One item was an aluminum engine undercover. It is supposed to decrease drag by preventing air to catch in between the engine parts. The engine cover is in the general location to that of the SC.

The center of my engine cover is sagging low. It looks as if my car was lowered. I like to think of it as an air dam or an inverted wing because the air has to move faster on the bottom than the top so there's downforce

 

Hey Vegassc400 I would not recommend it because last time when I changed my oil I noticed that the alternator is sitting about 4 inches above this cover and if you take it off and you happen to hit a couple of puddles and get ur alternator wet you would be in a whole lot more trouble. But that’s just my 2 cents.

Tommy

 

Thanks Tommy. That was one of my big concerns. With the amount of rain and flash flooding we've had this year, I'll just get it replaced. Anyone know what it's called or a part number?

 

splash guard

 

Hey VegasSC400,

I looked up the part on my 92 SC400. For a 92 SC400 the part number is:

51441-24030
51441-14140

It is one of these numbers, I think the 24030 is the newer number that replaced the 14140 number or vise versa. Depending on the parts number your dealership goes by, one of these numbers will work.

Employee price on this item is $98, so not sure what the retail price would be. Assuming somewhere in the $150 range .

Thanks
LexusBiz

 

That shield helps direct air (from the radiator) all the way across the engine. It serves a cooling purpose more than it does a splashguard. If you remove it - replace it.