Does anyone know just what the two black plastic wrapped foam pads do that are attached to the under engine tray(belly pan)? Also, can you buy replacements and where? On the other hand it could just be a big waste of time and money. But I do try to keep my Jag like it came from the factory. Oh, yea. This is a 2005 VP.....Thanks

 

My idependent mechanic called them a diaper. Said they are there to sop up any tiny oil seepage. In my case, another mechanic (the one I don't use any more) had failed to tighten the oil filter properly - I almost lost the engine due to massive oil leak - and the "diaper" was saturated. My mechanic found that you can't get replacements just for the pads - have to buy the whole tray. About $360, as I recall. Only good news out of that is that I told the other mechanic I felt he was liable for the cost of the tray, and he did pay.

Ray

 

I removed mine, per one of the jag techs here who said, IIRC, they tend to hold in water too and make a bit of surface rust where they touch, so they take them off. Supposedly to reduce noise, but I've noticed no difference and he said the same.

 

Same here, I removed the pads but retained the cover. It's what hid my gearbox leak for awhile. I have considered just leaving the cover off as it seems like the panel can flop around too much without the padding.

 

I assumed that the pads were for sound insulation since they appeared to have been completely sealed. Thus I would not have expected them absorb oil, etc. The plastic on our 2004 VDP had split over time - I guess from age and heat. When I had the tray off the car for an oil change, I removed the old plastic, cleaned the foam pads, replaced the covers with plastic from a heavy trash bag and sealed the seams with silicone. I used rubber washers on the posts that secure the pads to the tray. The pads look like new although I am not sure of the benefits, but I try to keep the car original as possible.