Splash Guard - necessary?

[Gero]

Well I had been looking at Genesis' for a while, after a fender bender last week, my old car was "totaled" - i.e. it was not worth fixing, I am now the proud new owner of a (used) Genesis.

I'm very happy with the deal I got as I didn't have the luxury of waiting on a perfect deal. It's a 2014 3.8 Base, 45,750 miles for 15k. (16.2 out the door).

The only thing about it, it is missing the splash guard, which is the big plastic protector underneath the car, to protect the transmission (so I was told).

My local Genesis shop told me it would be about 340 for them to put it on for me.

Is this worth it / necessary?

 

[Mark_888]

Ask the dealer for the part number. If it is 291103N500, you can get it online for about $90, plus probably something additional for fasteners. Maybe you could install it yourself, and get an independent mechanic to install it. Another option is to get a quote from another Hyundai dealer.
https://hyundaipartsdepartment.com/...cleid=415059&diagram=1075032&diagramCallOut=6

 

[Gero]

Thanks for the input.

 

[Gero]

It actually ended up being part 291403M000, which is the bottom one on that page. It is also about $90 (but the fine print says shipping can get more expensive for bigger items - which I'm sure this would be).

I got a price from another Hyundai dealer. With labor (they are only charging $35 in labor). So the total will be $185 vs the $314 from the other dealer (I mispoke when i said 340).

I'm ok with that amount, compared to the other.

Of course in the description for that it says "Cover" instead of "Shield". It's the back part (they lifted it for me and let me see - the other place didn't show me).

Is this part unnecessary?

 

[kn5owa]

Necessary? Unnecessary?

Kinda like asking is the hood necessary. The tendency on new cars - certainly on my 2G V8 - is to completely "wrap" the engine both top and bottom with plastic shields and splash guards.

Mine has 2 large splash guards on the bottom which are secured by many, many plastic push pins and 10 mm cap screws. There have been some posts about these coming loose because of sloppy mechanics doing oil/filter changes. This is one of the reasons I do my own maintenance.

I would definitely replace any missing splash guards - though I admit those quoted prices are a little hard to take. Those plastic panels serve a purpose as there is so much electronics and sensors and complex mechanisms in modern cars. I just bought an OBD sensor and it is unbelievable all of the codes and code sending instrumentation on these cars.

 

[Gero]

That you for that comparison to the hood.

That sold me, I'm going to get it done. After shipping and taxes it would have cost me about about 122, so I'm just going to have the second Hyundai do it, as I don't have a way to get my car lifted to do it myself.

I'm just glad I got that 2nd quote and am not paying $314 for it.

 

[dougmcp]

The main reason for the "splash shield" is fuel economy to meet CAFE standards and it also helps protect against unwanted water getting up into the motor compartment and damaging alternators and electronics.
My Passat splash shield has been sitting in my garage for the last 80,000 miles because it is such a PITA to remove and re-attach.
That being said, I would never let my Genesis go without the splash shield so good move to get one and have it fitted.

 

[NSXNEXT]

...so I'm just going to have the second Hyundai do it, as I don't have a way to get my car lifted to do it myself.

You can just use the jack that comes with the car to jack up one side enough to slide underneath and do it.
Will literally take you 10 minutes.

 

[dougmcp]

You can just use the jack that comes with the car to jack up one side enough to slide underneath and do it.
Will literally take you 10 minutes.

Agreed that one can install these themselves given a little mechanical aptitude and desire, then you know it's done right.
Remember, safety first, chock the wheels, set the park brake and always use a jack stand before you crawl under any vehicle.

 

[DubbuD]

Tending to agree with the others here. There are a ridiculous number of computers and electronics on these cars, and those splash guards serve to protect those components, while also streamlining the underside of the car at high speeds.

If you live in a snowy winter environment, they're also key for keeping salt and unwanted residue and water from entering the engine bay and underside of the car, which will cause everything to rust. I'm sure they don't keep water and salt out 100%, but I'm willing to bet it'll look a lot better under there in 5 or 6 years with it, than it would without. I also undercoat my cars, and wash them meticulously every week or 2, and do interior cleans and details every month - month 1/2.

But I digress, splash guards are easy install and removal items, with or without a lift. I'd save the $50 and do it myself if I were you.

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[Hovercraft]

Before my Genesis, I had a VW rabbit. It was missing some of the splash guards under the car when I bought it (unfortunately, bought it in a hurry and didn't notice). I had them replaced, but ended up with issues that seemed to be related to running without the shields (i.e. salt water etc. spraying into the engine compartment) - seized pullies, radiator fans needing replacing, corroded/leaking exhaust components. Got rid of the car quicker than I wanted just because I had no confidence that other things wouldn't go wrong. Definitely replace them.

 

[Mark_888]

Before my Genesis, I had a VW rabbit. It was missing some of the splash guards under the car when I bought it (unfortunately, bought it in a hurry and didn't notice). I had them replaced, but ended up with issues that seemed to be related to running without the shields (i.e. salt water etc. spraying into the engine compartment) - seized pullies, radiator fans needing replacing, corroded/leaking exhaust components. Got rid of the car quicker than I wanted just because I had no confidence that other things wouldn't go wrong. Definitely replace them.

Yeah, it's hard to believe they were put on for no good reason, since it adds to the cost and the weight of the car.

Aside from the reasons mentioned above, it "might" improve airflow under the car, improving gas mileage, and eventually paying for itself (maybe).

 

[Gero]

Thanks to all for your input. They only charged me 37 for labor, so I just had them put it on.

 

[DubbuD]

Yeah that ain't bad, I'd probably let them do it for 1/2 hour worth of labor too, hahaha.

 

[jzc0125]

Ask the dealer for the part number. If it is 291103N500, you can get it online for about $90, plus probably something additional for fasteners. Maybe you could install it yourself, and get an independent mechanic to install it. Another option is to get a quote from another Hyundai dealer.
https://hyundaipartsdepartment.com/...cleid=415059&diagram=1075032&diagramCallOut=6

Those things are not that cheap now in 2023 lol

 

[Charlie1982]

Those things are not that cheap now in 2023 lol

Yeah, I paid $120 (with free shipping) for the front splash shield just a few days ago. Had a big raccoon run out in front of me at highway speed and damaged some stuff. Ugh

 

[jep604]

After numerous oil and filter changes, mine started falling down. Took to the shop that did the last service and they showed me numerous broken cap screws from the dingbats using drill motor bits to speed up the process. That cost the shop 2 free oil/filter services. My engine splash guard is at the hangar and I need to drill out 10 of the 12 broken cap screws and replace them.

 

[RollingStone]

I also consider it my first line of defense against engine bay loving critters…

"Squirrel Shield®"

Maybe not foolproof, but every little bit helps. Little bastards chewed through my partner's fuel line earlier this year. She now keeps Irish Spring soap shavings and mothballs in her engine bay.

 

[jzc0125]

Yeah, I paid $120 (with free shipping) for the front splash shield just a few days ago. Had a big raccoon run out in front of me at highway speed and damaged some stuff. Ugh

Whew that's a pretty good deal. I think I got mine from one of those hyundaipartsonline blah blah sites for about 200. This was about June or july after some crap fell off a truck in front of me on the highway. Took off the oil change hole cover panel n threw my alignment off too