'93 Eurovan "skid plate" bolts

[sageandspirit]

According to our local quick oil change shop, the bolts that hold the "skid plate" - that's what I call it anyway, it's the metal piece underneath the engine that needs to be removed in order to get at the oil filter & drain plug...these bolts I was told are stripped, and if they were to remove the plate, they would not be able to reinstall the plate using the same bolts. This is a 1993 Eurovan MV with the 2.5 and AT. The shop said that if I can bring them the correct replacement bolts to install after they did the oil change, it would be no problem - they did not do the oil change yesterday, or remove the plate entirely, because of the stripped bolts.

Can someone here tell me the correct size bolts that I need to get for this skid plate, so that it can be removed and reinstalled properly after getting an oil change? The shop also said that they could likely get the bolts locally themselves, if I wanted to leave the van with them for awhile. They would do the oil change, leave the plate off temporarily, get the right bolts and reinstall the plate later that day. But I would prefer not to leave the van with them, and just bring them the right bolts myself...

thanks,
Harold
'93 Eurovan MV w/112k miles
'87 Vanagon Wolfsburg Ed. weekender, w/pop top

[pioneer1]

The "belly pan" is held on by 4 (or more) metric thread bolts-socket 13 mm. On the head it has a 4 and 10.9. I hope that helps.
_________________
"Always waiting for tomorrow ruined everything"

'85 Porsche 911 Targa

'76 Westfalia project

[shepherdsond]

Hmm,
That will work if the bolts are striped but in my experience it is more likely that the threads in the van chasis are stripped, in which case you will need a helicoil or something. If I was you and I did not want to fix it myself I would probably take it to a real mechanic and have them fix it when they change the oil. On the other hand it is no problem to drive without the belly pan so you could give the bolts to the quick change place and if they cannot put the pan back on you can carry it back home in the back (it could be oily so bring appropriate rags etc.) and then have a mechanic fix it...

[GMByers]

Make this modification to your EV belly pan. Then you won't have to keep removing it just to change oil.


http://www.netfev.org/rialta/model_info/modificati...520101.pdf
_________________
And then there were two...downsized to 83 Doka &
74 Thing.

[snowsyncro]

[xoo00oox]

I agree with that. I leave them off for good.

[James 93SLC]

[r.e.wing_fc3s]

the undertrays have many purposes. aerodynamic/sound accoustics and helping to keep spray/road grit out and engine protection on some, and im inclined to think the manufacturers wouldnt spend money on them for nothing. Vw/audi have by far the most convuluted breakeasy design. they could really take some notes from bmw and mercedes. people who park by braille often hang them up. not great offroad either. rivnuts work well for reattaching the eurovan undertray.

[Vanielcraig]

Just as an update. The bolt is an 8mm 10.9, with a 13mm head. Most hardware stores have them. My internal threads where messed up but I was able to re-tap them to clean them up and the bolts held fine. You could probably retap to 9mm without re-drilling if they were really bad.

[tds3pete]

[57 Zwitter?]

I go on Ebay and buy stainless steel (NEVER RUST) 8mm x 1" long bolts. I use them on Bugs for bumpers, fenders etc etc. They also fit my Eurovan front pan, there are 2 on each side. If your holes in the frame are no good you will have to drill larger, tap and use a helicoil. There is also a different setup on the rear that have the 2 metal fingers that hook into slots on the frame and are secured with studs/ nuts and rubber cushions. Mine were seized and broke when I tried to remove the rusted nuts. I never repaired them and just rely on the 2 bolts on each side to hold it in place

[57 Zwitter?]

GMB yers, I followed your link and just got someone wanting me to send them money to join a service page! I know I saw a Rialta page somewhere that showed the exact specs on where to cut the hole in the belly an for changing oil filter. Anyone know where to find it?

[DenverB]

that trick of cutting an access hole in the pan doesn't work on the 93-95 models. the oil filter is way too tucked up above the pan to reach without removing the pan itself.

I also don't like that modification because you don't get a good view of everything else under the van because you never remove the pan. an oil chnage is the best time to loook up under the hood for leaks, cracks, etc.
_________________
-------
'77 Transporter/camper (Bussy - Reef Blue/Pastel White)
'67 bug (Santos - VW Blue)
'84 Vanagon Westfalia (Pink Flamingo - Pastel White/Pink)
'88 Vanagon GL Westfalia (Frankie Says - Wolfram Gray)
'02 Eurovan Weekender (Green Apple)
'95-'03 Eurovan full campers and weekenders (rental fleet)
'84 -'91 Vanagon full campers and weekenders (rental fleet)
'72 Porsche 914 (Greta - RIP)

www.RockyMountainCampervans.com

[DenverB]

[tds3pete]