bfunke

Time to check your cowl drains. One on each side.

66and06stangs

I've never done this... can you give me a quick education on why, and how?

bfunke

Water and debris such as leaves and twigs enter the cowl via grill holes on top. Debris plugs up drains and water accumulates inside usually exiting into passenger compartment and over SJB located in right footwell. Take your fingers and squeeze the rubber drain to open it and then insert a finger and sweep out debris. Best to do with engine cold as manifolds are near and very hot.

artsvettes73

I check mine at every oil change.

BrianK

Another brilliant design idea from Ford....
Has anyone tried installing fiber screen material (like from a screen door) on the under side of the cowl to keep that debris from dropping down and plugging the drain? Cut to size and a glue gun should do it.
I put some screen material inside the front grill to keep bugs and other things out of the rad and it works quite well. Just thinking that something similar would allow water to drain through it but keep leaves and other **** out. Thoughts?

bfunke

Just bought a 2014 Escape and it has screens glued to the underside of the cowl grills. Branches and leaves tend to collect between and I have to use the shop vac to get them out. It's a wash if you ask me.

BrianK

Yeah I can see where stuff would get stuck between the screen and the plastic parts. That would be a PITA to keep clean.
The screen in front of the rad works well because stuff just falls out the bottom and it keeps rocks from hitting the rad and denting the fins.

tradosaurus

I pulled the rubber grommet out and didn't put it back in.

I should never have problems draining under the cowl area.

artsvettes73

The grommet is built to release water and stop carbon monoxide from entering the cabin. You may want to rethink your actions

07MRMIKE

Just took her out of storage this morning, i have a long check list to go through!

Mike