could be a portion that holds another bar going across that houses 3 screws for the back part of your belly pan. Is your belly pan still on or is it missing?

 

IT belongs to the belly pan i believe. I had the same thing. I would either just remove it or zip tie it up so it doesn't hit anything while you're driving.

 

Defintely a belly pan bracket.

 

Absolutely.

And it's missing at least two of the three fasteners that are supposed to be in the holes (one at each end and one in the center).

Oh... and your belly pan is also gone.

 

And while you're under there, studbike, check your fender liners and the fasteners on the bottom of the front "spoiler" - it all kind of hangs together.

 

Yea that hangs down when garages forget to put back on the belly pan or you're car is already missing it.

 

I have this too. I assumed it was what holds the belly pan that I see everyone speak of.

 

Looks like you have an oil leak, dry rotted tires and a seriously dented trans pan too. I'd worry about the tires, I doubt they would survive an extended trip.

 

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction guys. Does the belly pan really do anything?

And don't worry about the tires, they are getting replaced soon. That was the first and last time I ever buy a used tire off ebay. I don't know how he did it, but he made that tire look absolutely perfect in the pic. Almost new. Then I get it and its a 10 year old unevenly worn POS. ya live ya learn

Also, I don't think it matters if the pan is dented... isn't it just a fluid reservoir essentially

 

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction guys. Does the belly pan really do anything?

Yeah. It keeps dirt out of the engine compartment, prevents road debris from getting caught in the lower belt pulley, supposedly improves aerodynamics, definitely reduces noise, keeps your fender liners from rubbing the tires, and provides at least some small protection for the oil pan.

And a forum sponsor has them on sale.

 

Those belly pan brackets tend to get mangled, I've seen quite a few over the years that look like that.

I personally like to have the belly pan on, it helps keep quite a bit of dirt and grime out of the engine compartment. I've run cars without them and have always been amazed how quickly the engine bay gets filthy.

We do have replacements available here if needed:

http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen...ource=passatworld&utm_medium=forum&utm_content=postreply&utm_campaign=postreply

 

But if you are running low they wont survive a dead badger attack....

or continual tarmac scraping...... :lol: