Can I remove this?

[LVMarauder]

There's a water shield or air deflector or SOMETHING under the radiator, its shaped like an airfoil. Mine is bent and wont go back to its original shape, when ever i back up or park over a cement rail thingy in parking spots i hear it scrape, im grabing my tools right now to take it off and im wondering wtf it actualy is and if i can keep it off, thanks.

[cyclone03]

Any part of the cooling system modified,or removed needs to have the temp gauge monitored very closely.
Being in Vegas you should know in a few days if it makes any difference.
My guess is any change will be at highway speeds.

But if it was me I'd replace it.Bet it's less than $40.

[LVMarauder]

This thing isnt part of the cooling system, its plastic , about 2 feet long horizontally and 8-10 inches of wing. behind and immediately above it i found the main cooling hose , great. Im assuming this this is just a shield so if u go over sharp rocks or something it doesnt slice you coolant line open. I'm thinking about turning it around to "cup" the cooling line instead of having the curvature of the point away from it. lmk

[cyclone03]

OH.
I was thinking about the air scoop looking thing under the radiator.
Looks kinda like a spoiler.

[JohnE]

It helps promote airflow through the radiator and lets you know when you've got a ground clearance issue.

[MitchB]

This is an integral part of the cooling system and should not be removed. The air dam prevents air that has already been drawn through the radiator and heated from migrating back to the low pressure area in front of the radiator and then drawn through again. This is particularly significant when the car is at rest and at low speeds. You will reduce the efficiency and overall capacity of your cooling system. You will also reduce the effeciency of the air conditioning condenser. The overall effect is comparable to running a smaller radiator and fan. Considering the problems these engines have with regard to the head cooling problem (which will be axacerbated), you should bite the bullet and purchase a replacement from your dealer. Keep your distance from the cement blocks.

Mitch




There's a water shield or air deflector or SOMETHING under the radiator, its shaped like an airfoil. Mine is bent and wont go back to its original shape, when ever i back up or park over a cement rail thingy in parking spots i hear it scrape, im grabing my tools right now to take it off and im wondering wtf it actualy is and if i can keep it off, thanks.

[jgc61sr2002]

What Mitch said.^^^^^

[woaface]

How'd it get bent? You haven't been jumping hills at odd speeds have you?:up:

[LVMarauder]

Interesting. I , without thinking, thought this was simply a water shield/debris shield so I inverted it so that the wing now now slopes up and is chielding the radiator Hose. Ill drive with it like that tonight and they fix it in the morning, its made out of type 2 recycled plastic, ford part number 3W13-8C33 AB . Ill watch the temp guage closely.

Woaface- It got bent at UCSB in the parking garage the first time i visited there.

Mitch- This thing isnt busted but rather bent, I think a few minute with the hair dryer will straighten it out. If its purpose is to prevent the flow of hot air back to the front of the radiator wont the inverted air dam ave the same effect? probably wrong but wishful thinking.

Does anyone else with a lowered MM have this problem, or am I special?

[Fourth Horseman]

I don't like mine, either. It makes it harder to slide underneath the car when changing oil, etc. But, as the others have mentioned above, I keep it there for air flow purposes.

[FordNut]

Does anyone else with a lowered MM have this problem, or am I special?
Mine isn't lowered, but I have the same issue.

[martyo]

Does anyone else with a lowered MM have this problem, or am I special?

Do you mean special like "short bus" special???


All kidding aside, my MM is lowered and the plastic air dam that you are referring to does interfere with low ground clearance obstacles. For instance, my air dam and my steering rack will not clear the floor mounted lift I installed in my garage. I had to put some 2" x 10" planks along side the lift to act as ramps. Low tech, but it works.

[TripleTransAm]

I lost a similar air dam on my Parisienne in 1992 or 1993... immediately I noticed an increased operating temperature... perhaps 20 degrees C if not warmer.

[LVMarauder]

too my pleasant surprise all last night and today my engine temp needle has been at normal if not lower. I havent done any long idles or 100+ romps but everything seems to be fine so far, ill continue like this until i see something i dont like.

[TripleTransAm]

By the way, this temperature difference only occurs at highway speeds. My Parisienne had a big grille but still required the under-radiator air dam to provide proper cooling at speed. In regular traffic and while idling, there was no change in operating temperature.

[TAF]

Put the thing back. I messed mine up the first 2 weeks I had the car back in June of '02 (hit a STUPID retread on the road...man I hate those things :mad2: :mad2: ) Was on my way to Charlotte...didn't get a new one on till a few days later and I DID notice a change in the temp. gauge.

They are a readily available part at the parts counter. :up: