Page 1 of 1
undertray always touching exhaust, safe?
Posted: Sat May 30, 2009 8:32 pm
by Tim_GTi
Managed to work out a way of getting my lower strut brace on without having to remove the undertray, result!
However, the tray is now constantly touching the exhaust, bad idea? Or are we still happy days?
Cheers
Re: undertray always touching exhaust, safe?
Posted: Sat May 30, 2009 11:32 pm
by tegwin
Plastic undertray on hot exhaust?..... BAD idea! It will melt and or catch fire!

Re: undertray always touching exhaust, safe?
Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 12:06 am
by Tim_GTi
Well it's not your typical plastic, it's made out of weird fibre stuff isn't it? Does it take to heat in the same way as normal plastic?
I drove about today with it on, and checked the undertray and it seemed ok, was just mildly warm.
although my car does not like this added lowness to it, i almost ripped it clean off coming up my drive just then.
Re: undertray always touching exhaust, safe?
Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 12:24 pm
by tegwin
I think its a fibre reinforced plastic... It might be ok, but IMHO its not a good idea.... not atall! The other thing to consider is, if the tray is pressed against the exhaust, does this put any excess stress on the flexi pipe under the engine and or exhaust mounts?
Re: undertray always touching exhaust, safe?
Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 12:54 pm
by Tim_GTi
No if anything it's taking pressure off, as it's basically supporting the exhaust from underneath. Gunna keep an eye on it today, see how it goes.
Thing is it's catching on so many things coming up my drive it may have to come off anyway!
Re: undertray always touching exhaust, safe?
Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 5:45 pm
by alexperkins
The undertray is a resin coated fibre glass tray - heat resistant to about 300C or there abouts

Re: undertray always touching exhaust, safe?
Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 6:05 pm
by Tim_GTi
alexperkins wrote:The undertray is a resin coated fibre glass tray - heat resistant to about 300C or there abouts

Exactly what I wanted to hear!!
Nice one boss

Re: undertray always touching exhaust, safe?
Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 6:13 pm
by Andy1.6
Isn't standard working temperature for the catalytic converter about 600 degrees?
I know its not touching the cat but must be quite close?
Re: undertray always touching exhaust, safe?
Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 6:15 pm
by Tim_GTi
Andy1.6 wrote:Isn't standard working temperature for the catalytic converter about 600 degrees?
I know its not touching the cat but must be quite close?
Nah it's way clear of the cat!
Re: undertray always touching exhaust, safe?
Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 7:29 pm
by alexperkins
Cat is beyond the anti roll bar - quite a way from the end of the tray.