Underneath the engine...........Whats lurking!!?

[JonnoGti]

Within the last few days I bn hearing a kind of clunking noise under the car, near the left passenger front wheel, Think it might be shocks gotta get it looked at when I get paid. But Im no pro so anyone got ne ideas what it could be?

 Also underneath the engine there seems to be a plastic guard, quite big. It seems as tho the bracket has snapped on the right and this keeps falling down untill I pop it back in. Its annoying, does anyone know what this part is?

[Rhyso]

underneath the engine I'd guess it could be your sump guard

ideally need that secured in place to stop you damaging / destroying the sump and all your oil flowing out of the engine!! 

[GolfGL]

On my mk3 my top mounts were quite worn and the clunking stopped after they were replaced. Give the body i hard push on the corner. Should be quiet and return to stock position in one or two bounces.

[JonnoGti]

Well its loose on the one side and no oil is evident when i drive off from spaces. I think its more of a guard to stop s**t goint into the engine from the roads........To the above, I thiough of engine mounts but it seems to be really low down by the wheel area

[Rhyso]

what i meant was that without the guard you are more likely to break the sump!! plus iit does stop crap going up into the bay

be careful when parking up on pavements etc cos the sump is very low! I parked up the other day and my mate said be careful; had a look and the sump was about half an inch from the pavement!!

[JonnoGti]

Yeah just checked now, its about 3" from the ground. Looks like the bracets or screws have come loose. I only bought it last Monday (not one just gone) and the seller had a new mot that day. I havent gone over anything and the roads where I go are good. Thinking it was a dodgy MOT especially with the clunking noise the day after I bought it.........What u reckon?

[Rhyso]

maybe......but even when things clunk they may not pose a threat to the way the vehicle handles etc 

contact the garage that did the MOT and ask them!!

[topher]

without checking the clunking could be a number of things, shock/bushes/mounts etc, very hard to say.

the undertray isnt a major issue. useful for keeping water off the electrics but otherwise a pain in the arse (you'll see what i mean when you change your oil filter). shouldn't be too hard to secure, jack it up and see where it's come loose.

[JonnoGti]

All down the right hand side near the drivers side. The screws have come loose, looks like its caught on something and just ripped off on one side, ill have to get under and see what i can do. Superglue anyone lol???