Mercedes Sprinter Based - Engine Under-tray Guard

[Abgs]

Another one of my 'over the summer' mods to my Hymer Grand Canyon S

I've been following a thread on a US forum about engine under-tray guards and how some vehicles have them fitted as standard and some not.

Some people reckon they reduce the noise level in the cab, some reckon they improve MPG by smoothing out airflow under van and most people agree they protect some of the exposed wiring and expensive bits to road debris damage.

So I checked my 21 plate Sprinter and it didn't have one. Priced it at Mercedes and the tray plus fittings came to £170.

Part numbers if you have a 907 or 910 Model Sprinter cab are:

• 1 QTY Under-tray A907 520 00 00
• 11 QTY Sheet metal screw A001 990 60 36
• 11 QTY Clip nut A004 994 31 45
• 4 QTY Expanding rivet A124 990 04 92

I fitted it in about 30 mins. All the holes and fittings lined up perfectly. One advantage I noted straightaway was that the tray holds all the misc plastic round the wheel arch and front bumper together which reduces odd rattles.

As for MPG - it seems better, but then again I fitted it at about 6000 miles so I think my engine was getting nicely run in and, the weather has been warmer which always makes my diesels more economical. It 'may' be giving 1 or so mpg extra.

Noise - I noted the part description of the under tray is 'noise abatement guard' apparently this relates to a drive-by noise test of the van from the outside but I recon its noticeably quieter inside the cab.

On balance I reckon it was worth doing.