So I was about to reinstall my oil pan when I took a closer look at my baffle, and noticed it's been deliberately cut. Is this a thing? I'm looking to replace it now (grumble) but am wondering why this would be done and if it would harm the engine to leave it

 

Rather odd but you need a new one.

 

Yeah I thought it strange as well. I also wonder if this was the cause of my spun #1 rod bearing. My thought is that oil got trapped in that hollow, reducing the oil in the sump, possibly creating a scenario where it the engine is starved, at least more easily.
The annoying part, other than the stripped out screws, is it seems cheaper to buy an oil pan with the baffle than it is to buy just a baffle.

 

it is actually two pieces or 5 depending on how fatigued it is. don't go used. 80 bucks or so from memory.

I would say the #2 cap beat it up and someone cleaned up the carnage with an exato knife at some point.

 

Well I already picked up a good condition used one from a shop in town yesterday. New ones were around $160.


I'm guessing the two piece construction is purely due to the inability to mold a hollow like that as one piece with 70-80s technology. Based on that and the presence of a weep hole in the bottom of the baffle, I'm guessing that empty space doesn't serve any purpose?

 

No affiliation. Lists as new but doesn't look it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Porsche-944-...-/322658918736

 

Yeah, it definitely says it's off a 944, so it's not new.
I'm pretty satisfied with my $20 one, tough it's an earlier type that doesn't have the screw mounts. It looks like it was originally snap in, and it still does, just not securely. I'll likely get some high temp epoxy and use that to secure it together.