Is it okay not to install the car chassis waterproof plug?
3 Answers
It is possible not to install the car chassis waterproof plug. The reasons for car chassis damage are as follows: 1. Dragging the bottom or impact from foreign objects: When roads are under repair, there are often large stones or uneven surfaces. If you drive on such roads without paying attention, large stones or other road protrusions may come into close contact with your vehicle's chassis, known as dragging the bottom. Since dragging the bottom is unpredictable, it can easily damage parts located in the chassis area, such as cracking the catalytic converter shell, engine oil pan, or transmission housing, or deforming the suspension system. 2. Corrosion: The chassis often comes into contact with sewage, grease, and other substances, whose chemical components can slowly corrode the chassis and its parts. Therefore, extra attention should be paid to chassis corrosion protection. Besides the aforementioned risks from rainwater and oil sludge, snow-melting agents used in winter and seawater can also corrode the car's chassis, especially seawater. If you drive to the beach, avoid driving into the sea, as seawater is highly corrosive to the chassis.
As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I truly believe that chassis drain plugs are not something to be skipped. Once, out of laziness, I didn't install them, and during a typhoon, water seeped into the chassis. In less than half a month, I noticed rust spots all over the undercarriage. When the mechanic opened it up, the wire connectors were covered in verdigris. The worst part is that the rust slowly eats away at the metal frame, and over time, it affects the body's rigidity. Later, I spent nearly two thousand on rustproofing—had I just spent a few dozen bucks to install the drain plugs properly, I wouldn't have had to go through all that trouble. Now, whenever I get a new car, I make sure to check these seemingly insignificant little parts—it gives me peace of mind while driving.
Over the years working at the auto repair shop, I've seen too many car owners neglect the importance of drain plugs. That small rubber plug may seem insignificant, but it's actually the shield for your chassis. Some car models have process holes in the chassis, which are sealed with plugs from the factory to prevent dust and water ingress. Once it falls off, muddy water can directly pour into the sandwich layer. Last month, an SUV had its chassis rust through simply because its plug had been missing for over half a year. What's worse is when wiring gets soaked and short-circuits - replacing a burnt ABS module can cost three to four thousand yuan. My advice is to check these plugs during every maintenance session, especially if you hear dripping sounds under the car after rain - nine times out of ten, it's a plug issue.
