3D Printable 'Rain Guard' - Keep the water out of your spark plug wells

[Josh Stretch]

Genius! I still want to buy one.

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[airline tech]

I am curious as to what temperature - This area reaches on a hot summer day with the hood closed and engine running (Idling) so no forced ram air flow over the engine bay.
Will the heat in this area deform the plastic?
I take in account that there is no weight being applied to the divertor to possibly lessen that happening and that TCU (from my research) can withstand 175 Deg F.

Note: I do not have a 3D printer, so just a question of durability of the plastic and heat.

 

[ctechbob]

I am curious as to what temperature - This area reaches on a hot summer day with the hood closed and engine running (Idling) so no forced ram air flow over the engine bay.
Will the heat in this area deform the plastic?
I take in account that there is no weight being applied to the divertor to possibly lessen that happening and that TCU (from my research) can withstand 175 Deg F.

Note: I do not have a 3D printer, so just a question of durability of the plastic and heat.

No idea other than TPU holds up in the inside of the truck over the summer months.

It's not something I'll be putting any research in to other than printing one and using it. If it fails, I'll print out of nylon and have another go.

TPU is too cheap, and printing is so easy to worry about testing specifics.

I can say that it will never get hot enough to melt it into a gooey mess all over the top of the engine.

 

[airline tech]

No idea other than TPU holds up in the inside of the truck over the summer months.

It's not something I'll be putting any research in to other than printing one and using it. If it fails, I'll print out of nylon and have another go.

TPU is too cheap, and printing is so easy to worry about testing specifics.

I can say that it will never get hot enough to melt it into a gooey mess all over the top of the engine.

Well, I will say this - someone said a simple cad project on here, and we ended up with the Fitzstick, and he went through some trials and errors to get it perfect.

I commend you for trying to find a resolution to this issue and its looks better than Home Depot - Pipe Insulation / Pool Noodle etc.
My ideas were to use:
Cable Routing (Track) or A big wire loom (cut open) or similar tubing and (cut it open in 1/2)
But I do not have any water issues - thus far and never really dove into adding something along the cowl (YET) anyways.

 

[ctechbob]

Well, I will say this - someone said a simple cad project on here, and we ended up with the Fitzstick, and he went through some trials and errors to get it perfect.

I commend you for trying to find a resolution to this issue and its looks better than Home Depot - Pipe Insulation / Pool Noodle etc.
My ideas were to use:
Cable Routing (Track) or A big wire loom (cut open) or similar tubing and (cut it open in 1/2)
But I do not have any water issues - thus far and never really dove into adding something along the cowl (YET) anyways.

I didn't think I had water issues either. Didn't the first 30k on the truck, the second 30k plug change told me otherwise. Haven't changed anything. Park in the same spot every day, live in the same area. Not sure why it didn't manifest in the first 30k.

 

[Rocketeer61]

This should be a recall, period. I'm guessing Ford is still building this known defect into the Ranger?

 

[carnut122]

I like it and appreciate your efforts, but it looks to me that some dum-dum sealant ( https://medallionrefinish.com/produ...ants/extruded-seam-sealer/dum-dum-strip-caulk ) could be used in between the two horizontal pieces to deflect the water to the side of the motor? I'll give that a go when my son returns my Ranger.

 

[ctechbob]

I like it and appreciate your efforts, but it looks to me that some dum-dum sealant ( https://medallionrefinish.com/produ...ants/extruded-seam-sealer/dum-dum-strip-caulk ) could be used in between the two horizontal pieces to deflect the water to the side of the motor? I'll give that a go when my son returns my Ranger.

I'm sure it probably would, but I don't like tar like sealants here in the south. Too hot and it makes a mess.

Either way, how you fix Ford's screw up is up to you. This is how I'm fixing mine.

 

[carnut122]

I'm sure it probably would, but I don't like tar like sealants here in the south. Too hot and it makes a mess.

Either way, how you fix Ford's screw up is up to you. This is how I'm fixing mine.

 

[carnut122]

I have to admit, dum-dum can be quite messy, but I have some on the shelf, so I'll see what happens. I appreciate you bringing this to our attention.

 

[ctechbob]

I have to admit, dum-dum can be quite messy, but I have some on the shelf, so I'll see what happens. I appreciate you bringing this to our attention.

Tbh it wasn't on my radar, I knew the problem was there but my first plug change at 30k was completely normal so I didn't think twice

My 60k change told another story and I started CAD'ing.

 

[TJC]

Tbh it wasn't on my radar, I knew the problem was there but my first plug change at 30k was completely normal so I didn't think twice

My 60k change told another story and I started CAD'ing.

Changed mine at 25K and they looked fine. Guess I'm not out of the woods yet. BTW, Transmission still as smooth as silk!

 

[ctechbob]

Changed mine at 25K and they looked fine. Guess I'm not out of the woods yet. BTW, Transmission still as smooth as silk!

I really don't know what changed. Park in the same spot, the same way. I guess the coil seal just doesn't seal as well over time....who knows. I spose I could get new boots and try but....ehh, I'm cheap and lazy and had time to kill.

Good to hear about the trans!!

 

[TJC]

I really don't know what changed. Park in the same spot, the same way. I guess the coil seal just doesn't seal as well over time....who knows. I spose I could get new boots and try but....ehh, I'm cheap and lazy and had time to kill.

Good to hear about the trans!!

I put the high density .75" pipe insulation on the edge with a bit of silicone adhesive here and there to tack it in place. Been there for a year or two now and works fine. My plugs came out easily, and #4 wasn't as bad to get out as I had anticipated. I went through several hurricane style rainstorms that lasted for hours and had anticipated water damage in #4. But there was none. I do keep the truck garaged.

Lucky I guess.

Thanks again for the transmission help.

 

[21Blackout]

I would most definitely buy one of these after having gone thru 3 sets of plugs and boots in 50k

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