Remove underbody felt liner shields in winter?

[Jer]

I'm not a car guy, but something that the Cuban Redneck said makes sense about why the cover is there. Aluminum doesn't like rapid temperature swings, and having the cover there keeps road spray off of the engine when it's hot. If the aluminum engine block is cooled too quickly (or unevenly cooled by chilling the bottom while the top stays hot), aluminum is prone to cracking. So, keep that cover on, ESPECIALLY in the winter when the road spray could be near freezing slush.

As far as sealing it. Cuban Redneck did his, but I'm not sure if that is the right thing. If it is sealed (especially for those of us in the northern climates) it won't soak up road-salt spray and become logged up with salt. But if it isn't sealed, any moisture that gets to the top side (water, oils, etc) won't seep through and drain out. It is porous for a reason. I just don't know if the reason is to let fluids on the top soak through and out, or the porosity is just a side effect of the materiel used.

Sponsored

 

[Jer]

This was mainly about the shields under the body ( not the shield under the engine ).
I have decided to rust proof and reinstall bottom liner shields for warranty purpose. Will be checking in the winter to see what happens.

 

[Jer]

That last part is key. aerodynamics, protection, noise mitigation, whatever…as much as car manufacturers try to cut cost, you can bet there is a real tangible reason they are there, otherwise those parts wouldn’t be there. When it comes to warranty for paint or corrosion type stuff, it’s pretty common for dealers to try passing the blame…not just ford, about any of them. Very easy to say your fault you removed the covers that are supposed to be there, even if in actuality those covers being there or not had no affect on the problem.

 

[Jer]

Your right, I have since decided to rust proof and reinstall the liner shields for warranty purpose.

 

[Jer]

The underbody shields are primarily for aerodynamics. They are made of recycled plastic sourced from old batteries and plastic bottles and the like, not felt. Removing them for the purposes of winter seems pretty foolish, as their existence helps prevent salt spray and road grime from getting to your metal in the first place. If they were removed and you got your truck to Ford for warranty coverage on rust through and perforation, they would probably not honor the warranty as a result.

 

[Jer]

I have decided to rust proof and replace liner shields for warranty purpose.

 

[fossil]

I don't have one to crawl under but does the felt cover the fuel evap canister? A little protection is better than none.

 

[Timothyd]

Northern problems. Snow = morning off for me.

I can't speak to the salt spray, I just know it helps keep red clay out of the engine bay. Doesn't damage anything; just stains it.

You can afford to take every snow day off if you don't get the AWD.

 

[Mymaverick2021]

I removed felt liner shields today, Rustproofed and reinstalled felt liner shields. I decided when I drive in first heavy snow and slush, I will pull down the side of the shields and see how things look. Will post what I find. I did think about warranty , decided to rusproof and replace liner shields.

Wise decision

 

[Jer]

I don't have one to crawl under but does the felt cover the fuel evap canister? A little protection is better than none.

I don't have one to crawl under but does the felt cover the fuel evap canister? A little protection is better than none.

I don't have one to crawl under but does the felt cover the fuel evap canister? A little protection is better than none.

Under the drivers side has fuel lines evap and harnesses. Yes some protection is probably good. Passenger side has nothing. I guess I will just pull the side down on each and see how things look after snow and slush. I did notice when I pulled down on the heat shield edges, water came out. I have not driven in any rain yet. I am sure heat builds up from the exhaust and forms moisture. I am kind of concerned about that, so I sprayed up under the shields the best I could. The heat shield covers the whole center above the exhaust and drive shaft. Mine is AWD. So I guess time will tell.

 

[commadorebob]

You can afford to take every snow day off if you don't get the AWD.

Technicality. I work from home. So, needs to be a bit more than show in Alabama to stop me from being able to work.

 

[Sleeper 7]

The liners are for fuel mileage only. They work together with the grill shutters to keep air flow out of the engine bay. They absorb water and salt and will rot your truck frame. The under engine cover is the worse culprit fastened to the k frame. The under floor pan liners will just rust off anyway because Ford uses steel fasteners to hold them on.

 

[Jer]

This is exactly what I was questioning. More people need to see this. I did rustproof and reinstalled after. I will keep on until warranty is up. I do like the idea of the one under the engine, but what good is it if it falls apart ? Maybe I will have to see if I can make a fiberglass duplicate of the one under the engine.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

Bringing up an old thread. Now that we've been thru another winter, what if any problems are people in snow & ice country seeing with these shields?

HRG

Sponsored