How To Video: IDParts Aluminum Belly Pan Install

10 Responses

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1. Fred GW says

   What happens during an oil change? Does all that have to be undone?

   October 17, 2011, 11:42 pm Reply
   • Corey@IDParts says

     Just like the OEM pan this aluminum plate must be removed to get at the oil drain plug. However, the pan is only ~4 pounds so in isn’t a difficult process.

     October 21, 2011, 9:34 am Reply
2. JJ Chester says

   Why not cut a hole under the oil drain plug to facilitate easier oil changes?

   October 21, 2011, 11:57 am Reply
3. Corey@IDParts says

   Since the OEM pan doesn’t have one we opted not to have one on this design.

   October 25, 2011, 2:38 pm Reply
4. WIguy says

   that pan seems to be flimsy. is the pan more for aerodynamics or real world protection?

   November 9, 2011, 10:52 am Reply
   • Corey@IDParts says

     Thats correct, this aluminum version is stronger than the OEM plastic but neither one is a “skid plate” for off-road/trail use.

     The primary purpose of the plate is to protect the engine from road salt & grime. Cars that are missing the belly pan suffer from sensor and actuator failures much more often than cars that have the full underbody intact.

     November 14, 2011, 12:40 pm Reply
5. Ron Pushee says

   I cut a 1.5 x 3 or 4 inch hole in my ’04 Jetta wagon OEM pan and left one side attached. I bend it back up and hitch with a screw and washer. Sometimes it comes loose, but hasn’t hit anything. I also installed a Fumoto oils drain valve from quikvalve.com. Since the pan is aluminum, it should be pretty easy to add a removable cover for a drain hole.

   October 2, 2012, 7:19 pm Reply
6. John says

   Get a fluid evacuator/suction device and suck the oil out through the dipstick. Then you can leave the pan on.

   October 28, 2012, 1:42 pm Reply
   • Corey@IDParts says

     The Pela 6000 is my go-to for this. I should do an article on using one! I’m sure one of my TDI’s is due for an oil change!

     November 5, 2012, 1:08 pm Reply
7. almus says

   Just installed this Al pan.
   (I had ordered it a while ago but thought
   I better do the install before the snow flies)

   I prefer the plastic.
   This Aluminum came pre-bent the wrong way
   and one of the holes was way way off.

   November 16, 2012, 9:18 pm Reply