Odd Brillo pad shaped sponge between valve covers--should it be there?

[bcolins]

Replacing the water pump on my recently acquired 2002 4.0 XLS Explorer. When I got the water pump and thermostat housing off, I noticed an unusual shape in the valley between the heads and under the intake manifold. Its shaped something like a Brillo pad or Steel wool pad, and covered in a thin flexible plastic film. Its soft like a sponge. I gave it a light tug, but it appears to be either fitted to the space or,....if its not supposed to be there,...then its lightly wedged in the valley space.

Can anyone tell me if this thing belongs there? (can't imagine it does)

Brian in Austin

 

[Exproblems]

Replacing the water pump on my recently acquired 2002 4.0 XLS Explorer. When I got the water pump and thermostat housing off, I noticed an unusual shape in the valley between the heads and under the intake manifold. Its shaped something like a Brillo pad or Steel wool pad, and covered in a thin flexible plastic film. Its soft like a sponge. I gave it a light tug, but it appears to be either fitted to the space or,....if its not supposed to be there,...then its lightly wedged in the valley space.

Can anyone tell me if this thing belongs there? (can't imagine it does)

Brian in Austin

If I remember right from reading a past post last year, that sponge like thing in a bag is there to soak up any moisture down there. I'm not 100% sure on that, but I do remember reading up on something like that a year ago.

 

[snoranger]

Yes, it came from the factory. I read that its a sound deadener. Last time I looked, mine was in the dumpster at work.

 

[bcolins]

If I remember right from reading a past post last year, that sponge like thing in a bag is there to soak up any moisture down there. I'm not 100% sure on that, but I do remember reading up on something like that a year ago.

So,....it's a Tampon?

 

[Exproblems]

So,....it's a Tampon?

Are you just being harmlessly funny here? Can't tell. If so, disregard my next comment. If you said this to be a smart a$$, then my suggestion would be to give it a try out and see how it works for you.

 

[bcolins]

Are you just being harmlessly funny here? Can't tell. If so, disregard my next comment. If you said this to be a smart a$$, then my suggestion would be to give it a try out and see how it works for you.

Arent "smart ass" and "Harmlessly funny" the same thing?....Dont want to drag this out,....but.....are you suggesting that you were offended by this?

Surely not!

 

[snoranger]

Arent "smart ass" and "Harmlessly funny" the same thing?....Dont want to drag this out,....but.....are you suggesting that you were offended by this?

Surely not!

Its sounds to me like you were told to cram it in your #$%^&*.

Now that sounds offensive.

 

[bcolins]

Hmmm, guess I missed that,......one question then comes to mind.............Why?

 

[JCR]

The pad between your heads under the intake is indeed supposed to be there. It's main purpose is that of a heat shield for the intake. It also serves to deaden some of the engine noise as well. Leave it there!

 

[Exproblems]

Arent "smart ass" and "Harmlessly funny" the same thing?....Dont want to drag this out,....but.....are you suggesting that you were offended by this?

Surely not!

No, on the first question, not the same and just believe me when I tell you this, there is nothing you can say to me that would offend me. I've heard every hostile remark in the book and then some. No, I wasn't offend by your comment, I was simply trying to figure out what angle you took with your remark after I tried to give you a suggestion to your sponge/bag inquiry. I simply gave you a response to which ever way you meant your comment to be.

 

[bcolins]

No, on the first question, not the same and just believe me when I tell you this, there is nothing you can say to me that would offend me. I've heard every hostile remark in the book and then some. No, I wasn't offend by your comment, I was simply trying to figure out what angle you took with your remark after I tried to give you a suggestion to your sponge/bag inquiry. I simply gave you a response to which ever way you meant your comment to be.

I'd say you over-thought that. A simple "LOL" would have been appropriate.

BTW, Personally I feel any time some can be accused of being a "smart ass",.....the bottom line is,.....they were attempting humor.,....and the typical response of "smart ass" is saying,....."that was funny, I get it"

At least, that's the way it worked when I was a kid, and being accused of being a smart ass,....generally by my father, who was saying,....."I appreciate your wit and sense of humor, and quick response to my BS I just put on you".