Hi Norm,

If my memory serves me correctly what you are talking about is a hard plastic cover that fits on the underside of the car? If this is correct then you do not need one.

Volvo Designed a Hard Plastic cover for the XC model and AWD S60 so that the Transfer case/Bevel Gear can be properly cooled. The Transfer case/Bevel Gear on the XC is mounted between the Engine and the passenger cabin firewall. It can get very hot in that location due to engine heat, which can over heat the Transfer case/Bevel Gear assembly. Failure to install this cover on the XC and AWD S60 models will void Volvo’s warranty.

On the older XC model Volvo used a metal bracket mounted to a vibration dampener, which was mounted to the transfer case. When the XC moves down the street this metal bracket deflects air up onto the Transfer case/Bevel Gear for cooling.

If your car came without a cover then you are fine.

Oh, the 1994 850 had a similar cover used to cool the rear engine mount. Volvo corrected this by moving the engine mount from the rear of the engine to the front.

Good Luck,

Steven---

P.S. Volvo has a Technical Service bulletin, which describes what will happen to you if you fail to install the cover. Some XC owners were removing the covers because it interfered with changing the oil. Therefore, Volvo was repairing Transfer cases/Bevel Gears before their time. So Volvo decided to C.T.A.

Technical Service Bulletins Summary

Make: VOLVO
Model: V70XC
Year: 2001
Service Bulletin Number: 2112
Bulletin Sequence Number: 201


Summary Description:
INFORMATION ON THE PLASTIC PROTECTIVE CASING (SPLASH PAN) INSTALLED TO THE FRONT SUB-FRAME ON SOME VARIANTS OF S60 AND V70 VEHICLES. THE MAIN FUNCTION OF THIS PAN IS CONTROL AIRFLOW IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS HELP TO REDUCE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TEMPERATURES UNDER HARD DRIVING CONDITIONS