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What's under my engine?

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Old Oct 24, 2019 | 08:19 PM
  #1  
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knoxnil
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What's under my engine?

18 F-150 3.5 Eco-Boost, Saw something hanging low under the front of my truck, what the heck is that attached under the engine, some sort of composite form. One corner ripped and was hanging. Was able to fashion an attachment to get it back in position. Seems like a cheap skid plate of some sort, don't know how much protection it actually is, not even sure what to call it, and how much to replace it if my repair job does't hold. Anyone else have issues with this part? Whatever it is, looks really cheap.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2019 | 08:28 PM
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Are you speaking of the panel behind the skid plate?
Held in place by 5/16 screws?

Its for sound deadening and allegedly can help prevent grass from getting to the hot exhaust/turbos causing a fire.

Funny thing is the owners manual recommends its removal for heavy off road use.
 
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Old Oct 25, 2019 | 05:44 AM
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Yeah held up by 4 screws, about the size of a floor mat, seems pretty cheap, destine for failure. Might be some sort of splash guard.
Bought the truck used, don't go off road and don't get too aggressive with it so at a lose as to why it tore at a corner.
 
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Old Oct 25, 2019 | 05:56 AM
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I purchased new wing nuts and thread inserts to keep mine in good shape. The cover is just a cover for sound and perhaps better airflow under the truck. Right above this cover are your o2 sensors and connectors as well as some other electronic goodies around the transmission. I'd leave it in place for normal usage if possible.
 
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Old Oct 25, 2019 | 02:06 PM
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Originally Posted by knoxnil
Yeah held up by 4 screws, about the size of a floor mat, seems pretty cheap, destine for failure. Might be some sort of splash guard.
Bought the truck used, don't go off road and don't get too aggressive with it so at a lose as to why it tore at a corner.
If you see how the oil is changed you will understand the tear. It's been common practice to remove 3 out of the 4 bolts and swing the cover out of the way at shops. It's just a cheap piece of felt and there is an aftermarket metal solution for the problem.
 
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Old Oct 25, 2019 | 03:43 PM
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I just took mine off since I didn’t like dealing with it each oil change. No adverse effects so far. The only difference is a little more mechanical noise when standing outside the truck while it’s running.
 
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Old Oct 27, 2019 | 07:51 PM
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Originally Posted by ford390gashog
If you see how the oil is changed you will understand the tear. It's been common practice to remove 3 out of the 4 bolts and swing the cover out of the way at shops. It's just a cheap piece of felt and there is an aftermarket metal solution for the problem.
I'm guilty of doing this.
 
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Old Oct 27, 2019 | 08:09 PM
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Its also a diaper meant to catch dripping oil.
 
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