Debris Lodged In Active Shutters? How to access and remove.

[Totally Pitted]

I took the unit into Ford to check out some Ford Pass Alerts. One alert was for the Active Shutters not working. Ford determined that there was some debris stuck in the Shutters but they would have to remove the bumper/grille to get to it. It was priced at about $700 for at least 3 hours of labor. That's alot if money to remove a rock. I asked the tech if they could give me an idea of where the obstruction was so I can dick with it, but I haven't heard back, yet. I'd rather not get into the abyss of clips and such associated with removing the front end. YouTube made it look a bit daunting.
Has anyone had this problem or something similar happen? Any tips or ideas on how to identify and remove the obstruction without spending $700 or removing the front bumper/grille entirely would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks Folks!!!

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[Bigfoot7262]

I'd try a high pressure washer.
No way I'd remove the front clip, or pay someone else to do it. Not for something that can clog up again tomorrow.
Someone else on another thread here placed screen over their opening and held it in place with tie wraps.

 

[Toddman45]

Not sure it will work but you could put some ice on say the lower bumper temperature sensor on the left side to see if that would cause the shutters to activate when starting a vehicle.

Possibly freeing up the shutters.

 

[Stradbash]

Three hours to remove and replace the bumper is quite generous. It sure didn’t take me that long when I installed my fog lights.
I’d start with a good light source and these.
https://a.co/d/crBywkD

 

[Meeka]

I'd try a high pressure washer.
No way I'd remove the front clip, or pay someone else to do it. Not for something that can clog up again tomorrow.
Someone else on another thread here placed screen over their opening and held it in place with tie wraps.

That would be Turbobill. Was going to post a picture of his front grille screen.

 

[colinl]

this would be under 3/36 bumper to bumper warranty. if you're outside that, I understand you wanting to clean or repair it yourself rather than pay $700.

you can actually disconnect the shutters from the actuator, and leave the actuator in place. there are 2 of them on ecoboost models, it shutters the radiator and intercooler individually. (often both open or both closed, but still independent.)

 

[Bilbo_B]

I took the unit into Ford to check out some Ford Pass Alerts. One alert was for the Active Shutters not working. Ford determined that there was some debris stuck in the Shutters but they would have to remove the bumper/grille to get to it. It was priced at about $700 for at least 3 hours of labor. That's alot if money to remove a rock. I asked the tech if they could give me an idea of where the obstruction was so I can dick with it, but I haven't heard back, yet. I'd rather not get into the abyss of clips and such associated with removing the front end. YouTube made it look a bit daunting.
Has anyone had this problem or something similar happen? Any tips or ideas on how to identify and remove the obstruction without spending $700 or removing the front bumper/grille entirely would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks Folks!!!

Bought my Mav. used but I discovered that one of the shutters was caught on another one and it was jammed. There was no alert for my situation. I could see it and reach into the front area to pull it loose. One thing that I discovered is that the shutters are supposed to close and reopen whenever you start the vehicle. But you can only see it from the front. So, just to check, have someone start it up while you watch them operate from the front.

 

[First Sergeant]

I'd try a high pressure washer.
No way I'd remove the front clip, or pay someone else to do it. Not for something that can clog up again tomorrow.
Someone else on another thread here placed screen over their opening and held it in place with tie wraps.

Not sure I would go with high pressure washer. If the fins are metal they will bend very easily. Some vehicles today use plastic style radiators, but I am not sure if the fins on those are plastic or not. My brother went after his radiator to clean it with a pressure washer and bent many of the fins over. Had to get a "radiator comb" and spent hours straightening them back. I drank his beer and watched!

 

[colinl]

Not sure I would go with high pressure washer. If the fins are metal they will bend very easily. Some vehicles today use plastic style radiators, but I am not sure if the fins on those are plastic or not. My brother went after his radiator to clean it with a pressure washer and bent many of the fins over. Had to get a "radiator comb" and spent hours straightening them back. I drank his beer and watched!

a person should not point a pressure washer in the direction of your radiator or intercooler, ever.

the fins on those bend very easily.

 

[Darnon]

this would be under 3/36 bumper to bumper warranty. if you're outside that, I understand you wanting to clean or repair it yourself rather than pay $700.

A repair necessitated by road debris wouldn't be a warranty item.

 

[colinl]

A repair necessitated by road debris wouldn't be a warranty item.

true, but I would first inspect it myself to ensure that's what the issue actually is.

 

[Sticks]

I'm surprised you can't stick anything (a ruler? Screwdriver?) through the grille to knock the debris(?) loose.

Compared to most vehicles on the road, the Maverick bumper is very easy using a basic toolkit: flat blade screw driver (or trim tool), 8mm socket, 10mm socket, T30 Torx.

Removal Instructions are linked here, but don't yank the bumper down from the fender. Squeeze that clip from the back side.

 

[HeyBales]

When the recall action of removing 2 fins came out - they didn't have to remove anything but slightly bend the shutter to get it to pop out.
Pretty long for a bend in the middle.

If you find the obstruction it shouldn't be that hard to pop out the shutter involved, dislodge whatever, and pop it back in.
Especially if it's something behind the shutter not between them or at the insert point.

For sure find it 1st. Perhaps need to remove the under-shield to look up the radiator side better.

 

[MetalsGeek]

Three hours to remove and replace the bumper is quite generous. It sure didn’t take me that long when I installed my fog lights.
I’d start with a good light source and these.
https://a.co/d/crBywkD

I've had good luck over the years with this alternative, too.
https://www.amazon.com/ALINNA-Flexible-Grabber-Bendable-Reaching/dp/B098F3VWDV/

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