Atlas, holding up the world.

"EngineerWithTools" (engineerwithtools)
06/14/2018 at 18:26 • Filed to: None

Or, what holds up a VW Atlas’s belly pan. Removal necessary for an oil change.

10x T25s, 3 T40s, one plastic rivet whose center pin pushes into the rivet - and from there into a crossmember - to release.

I like the car (flame suit on). For a CUV, it’s nice, and has been getting better than advertised mileage. More importantly, my wife likes it (except for the remote start range, or lack thereof). BUT...seriously, VW engineers? Taking serviceability lessons from the Audi-ites down the hall?

DISCUSSION (21)

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > EngineerWithTools
06/14/2018 at 19:18

More likely intended for service by a VW technician using an oil exchange pump.

EngineerWithTools > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media
06/14/2018 at 19:29

I’d normally agree on the oil exchange pump - but the VR6 uses a low mount cartridge filter in the Atlas. No way that’s coming out without removing the belly pan... well, unless you use some of those mythical Smurf-sized Audi mechanics.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > EngineerWithTools
06/14/2018 at 19:33

Mark my words: No Atlas with more than 20k miles will ever have all of these screws after that many oil changes.

His Stigness > EngineerWithTools
06/14/2018 at 19:33

VW belly pans are still much easier than most. Sure, it has a lot of screws, but it’s not very hard. And because it’s German it all fits together.

EngineerWithTools > His Stigness
06/14/2018 at 19:45

This is true.

When I first saw the 14 fasteners and multiple tabs / slots across the front (alternating between tab up and tab down, of course), I thought that it would be a giant PITA to reassemble. It was actually very easy - get the tabs right, put in the center T40 finger tight and everything else lined right up.

EngineerWithTools > Eric @ opposite-lock.com
06/14/2018 at 19:46

Absolutely, with one exception: Ours, because I’ll have done all of the oil changes.

boxrocket > EngineerWithTools
06/14/2018 at 19:49

Ugh, one of the many reasons I despise [working on] VAG cars. It’s not an audi-ism, either: regular VWs and even Bentleys and Lamborghinis have this kind of crap, too, as well as any Porsche that shares its platform (e.g. Cayenne). I presume Skoda and SEAT have the same silliness.

Also, f*** that noise. They still can’t use the same fastener for the one part?! Urgh! At least they’re Torx instead of VAG’s spline-drive baloney (schnitzel?).

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > EngineerWithTools
06/14/2018 at 20:31

I saw a fairly new looking one of those dragging its under cover down the interstate. Now I know why.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > EngineerWithTools
06/14/2018 at 20:42

Wait wait wait... you mean to tell me that in order to change the oil, you have to drop the oil pan??

Wow. That’s absolutely terrible.

EngineerWithTools > BaconSandwich is tasty.
06/14/2018 at 20:52

While it is a VAG product, it’s just the belly pan in this case! (I wonder if the oil pan has fewer fasteners... I bet they’re all the same size, at least.)

EngineerWithTools > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com
06/14/2018 at 20:53

Just has an oil change! Because there is no way that’s coming off otherwise.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > EngineerWithTools
06/14/2018 at 21:01

Given the description elsewhere in the comments, it doesn’t sound too bad. Still sounds to me like there were a bunch of bored engineers working on it though.

wafflesnfalafel > EngineerWithTools
06/14/2018 at 21:16

My old Mazda 3 had a couple clips and 8 screws for the big, plastic undertray. Clips got tossed the first oil change... kinda of a pain to take off, but it did keep the engine bay relatively free of road grime.

Dogsatemypants > EngineerWithTools
06/14/2018 at 21:16

Fuck those goofballs with a 20 foot long rusty barbed pole. You really can’t figure out how to secure a belly pan using a combination of slots and tabs with at most 6 fasteners?

Dogsatemypants > BaconSandwich is tasty.
06/14/2018 at 21:17

Every vw audi for like the last 20 years

Sovande > EngineerWithTools
06/14/2018 at 21:28

My Volvo requires that you remove the belly pan. Or that you install a Fumoto drain valve and cut a hole to access the lever. Oil changes used to be a huge pain, now it’s dead simple.

Under_Score > EngineerWithTools
06/14/2018 at 21:47

These are NICE. Absolute units inside too; I fit comfortably in all three rows and I’m 6’5”.

His Stigness > EngineerWithTools
06/14/2018 at 22:31

That’s how I do it on my Golf. It’s so simple and I love it.

pip bip - choose Corrour > EngineerWithTools
06/15/2018 at 06:35

gotta boost the Mpg by covering the underside.

bugger the techs that service them.

Echo51 > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com
06/15/2018 at 08:48

Surprisingly common on most cars with plastic belly pans here. well not dragging, but flapping wildly about. impressive that people don’t hear it?

bob and john > EngineerWithTools
12/15/2018 at 17:29

weird, should have a little flap or something....