The oil pan shroud is a sound dampener. The molded foam inside it also serves as a very effective sponge that soaks up a ton of oil if you don't remove the shroud before draining the oil pan (if draining the pan via the drain plug rather than from above)
. Don't support the engine with the shroud.
That's a common practice on Mk4 timing belt jobs to raise/lower the engine to get at a few different bolts: put a jack on the corner of the oil pan and up/down from there.
It sounds like that is exactly what it is.The oil pan shroud is a sound dampener. The molded foam inside it also serves as a very effective sponge that soaks up a ton of oil if you don't remove the shroud before draining the oil pan (if draining the pan via the drain plug rather than from above)
Its so quick and easy to do, its not worth degrading the foam with oil-contamination. But if you extract the oil from above or have a drain valve installed, you needn't touch the shroud.
Where to install this valve?