Lower grille cutout?

[tjman]

Lower Grille Cutout?

My 2013 Explorer has the tow package and the cutout, but no ducting behind the cutout. Wondering if it should have ducting or if it is correct as is?

 

[CajunFordEx]

My 2013 Explorer has the tow package and the cutout, but no ducting behind the cutout. Wondering if it should have ducting or if it is correct as is?

Welcome to the forum tjman.

It's supposed to have a cut out with the air duct behind it. The duct might have fallen off or was not put back on after an oil change. They are known to fall off sometimes.

 

[peterk9]

My 2013 Explorer has the tow package and the cutout, but no ducting behind the cutout. Wondering if it should have ducting or if it is correct as is?

Welcome to the Forum tjman.:wavey:
Are you the original owner? If so, it is possible that the part was never put back after an oil change or fell off. I would assume that if it fell off that you would have noticed that. Check out page 2 of the following thread;
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=342745&highlight=air+duct

Peter

 

[tjman]

I just purchased the vehicle and noticed it before buying, but didn't think it was a big issue. Thanks for the info, and I plan on getting it replaced. Thanks!

 

[bnewt]

ok, I'm going to try & explain this the best I can

I have 2017 Limited with 6 cylinder. I just noticed today that there is a rectangular section missing in the black bumper section closest to the ground. When I looked at it, it seems like there is some kind of air induction behind it. Is this design correct? The other side is complete with the same section in tact. I have had the vehicle since 11/15 & have never noticed this when washing or waxing. The vehicle has never been involved in an accident of any type. If this isn't correct, will warranty replace this assembly?

 

[peterk9]

ok, I'm going to try & explain this the best I can

I have 2017 Limited with 6 cylinder. I just noticed today that there is a rectangular section missing in the black bumper section closest to the ground. When I looked at it, it seems like there is some kind of air induction behind it. Is this design correct? The other side is complete with the same section in tact. I have had the vehicle since 11/15 & have never noticed this when washing or waxing. The vehicle has never been involved in an accident of any type. If this isn't correct, will warranty replace this assembly?

Your thread has been merged with this one found using the Forum's handy 'Search' feature.

Peter

 

[Machine090767]

I wonder if anyone will cut out another opening on the drivers side, just to make it look more symmetrical ?

 

[jhu8]

So I noticed this gap/opening on the bottom of my front end and can't figure out what it's for. Seems to be there on purpose but I am not sure. I thought I saw it on another explorer but it was awhile ago and I am just getting to posting it now and haven't look at another one in awhile. I thought it was maybe airflow for the turbo in my 2.3L but not sure. Any ideas?

 

[peterk9]

So I noticed this gap/opening on the bottom of my front end and can't figure out what it's for. Seems to be there on purpose but I am not sure. I thought I saw it on another explorer but it was awhile ago and I am just getting to posting it now and haven't look at another one in awhile. I thought it was maybe airflow for the turbo in my 2.3L but not sure. Any ideas?

Your thread was merged with this existing one found with the 'Search' feature.

Peter

 

[jhu8]

Welcome to the forum tjman.

It's supposed to have a cut out with the air duct behind it. The duct might have fallen off or was not put back on after an oil change. They are known to fall off sometimes.

Yikes mine doesn't have the air duct behind it. Anyone know what costs that would be to replace? I bought this vehicle at the end of March. I wonder if something like that should of been caught by inspection?

I just looked underneath my truck and not even sure where it would go.

 

[Jon M]

Yikes mine doesn't have the air duct behind it. Anyone know what costs that would be to replace? I bought this vehicle at the end of March. I wonder if something like that should of been caught by inspection?

I just looked underneath my truck and not even sure where it would go.

Lower Shield - Ford (FB5Z-7810494-A) | Auto Nation Ford White Bear Lake

 

[jhu8]

Lower Shield - Ford (FB5Z-7810494-A) | Auto Nation Ford White Bear Lake

Looks like that is for the 3.5L version. Same thing for the 2.3L? I'm still confused if it's for the turbo to keep cool or the transmission for tow equipped explorers.

 

[Jon M]

Looks like that is for the 3.5L version. Same thing for the 2.3L? I'm still confused if it's for the turbo to keep cool or the transmission for tow equipped explorers.

I think it's only for the transmission on the tow package. I went back to the link and changed it to 2017 and 2.3L and it says it does not fit your vehicle.

 

[jhu8]

I think it's only for the transmission on the tow package. I went back to the link and changed it to 2017 and 2.3L and it says it does not fit your vehicle.

Hmm strange. I need to find someone else with a 2.3L class II tow package and see what they have underneath there. And what part that is. Guessing ford will be my best shot after that.

 

[peterk9]

I'm also not 100% sure on this. Apparently all Sport models have them whether they have the tow package or not. There was also a post saying it was to cool the rear turbo but I'm beginning to think that it is there to help direct air to the PTU/transmission area for cooling and not for turbo cooling. See Turbo cooling question

Peter

 

[Jon M]

Hmm strange. I need to find someone else with a 2.3L class II tow package and see what they have underneath there. And what part that is. Guessing ford will be my best shot after that.

Just go to the website I linked, hit change vehicle, and enter your VIN. Look in that same section, and it should tell you.

 

[seville009]

Picked up a 2019 Explorer XLT with the 2.3l ecoboost a few weeks ago

I noticed at the bottom of the front passenger side a cut out in the bottom valance with apparently an air intake for the turbo. I don’t see the same in the ones with the 6 cylinder engine.

I’m in snow country and my first thought was that the intake was going to clog up with snow (and basic road crud) fairly quickly.

Since I haven’t driven it in snow yet, I’m just curious if anyone out there has had issues with that clogging up (if it is, in fact, an air intake)

Thanks

 

[blwnsmoke]

Not an intake for the turbo. It is an air intake to force air to the trans/ptu area to keep it cooler (comes on the v6 with tow package). 3 tabs release it to drop it down to change your oil (may not need to on the 2.3 but had to with the 3.5).

 

[seville009]

Not an intake for the turbo. It is an air intake to force air to the trans/ptu area to keep it cooler (comes on the v6 with tow package). 3 tabs release it to drop it down to change your oil (may not need to on the 2.3 but had to with the 3.5).

Thanks.

This car does have the tow package, but we won’t be towing with it.

Didn’t make sense that Ford would have put the air box scoop way down low.

One less thing to worry about.......

 

[jhu8]

That part is missing on mine. Wonder if it will hurt anything by not having the air scoop there. I don't do any towing, just regular daily driving.