The heat protector under the hood...

[Hartman]

That cardboard type thing that is attached to the underside of my hood is really dirty and it makes it impossible for me to keep my engine clean. Is it possible to remove this and spray it off without ruining it? I really want to try to keep my engine as clean as possible and this thing is preventing me from doing so.

Thanks.

 

[Ronin8002]

I guess mine's a bit different than yours because mine is more like a black foamy material with a semi smooth finish. I just spray it with Simple Green and rinse it off with a hose when I clean the engine compartment with Engine Brite....it doesn't seem to react too badly to being wet.....and even if it did get a little soggy, you could drive around for a bit to dry it out. You might also try using a little water and Simple Green with a sponge if you don't wanna spray it with the hose.

-James

 

[Doug]

Ive tried cleaning the mud out of the fire mat with a power washer but it didnt work to well, the layers started coming apart. But then again i dont care a whole lot, i would imagine scrubbing it with some cleaner would probably work.

 

[Black Magic]

What about just removing it?

 

[Stephen]

You dont want to do that, the paint on the hood would begin to degrade over time. Not to mention you'd get bad water spotting when driving after a rain.

 

[Black Magic]

Really, my 94 F-150 did not have anything under the hood. I never had anyproblems with it.

 

[Hartman]

Its there to keep excessive heat from warping the hood. I just want to take it off to clean it, then put it back on.

 

[Crankcase]

XL's dont even come with that protector. My hood paint is still mint after 10 years and some very hot engine conditions.....

 

[Stephen]

Heh, nevermind then...

Is it just for noise supression?

 

[taxx]

I wash mine with the pressurewasher at teh carwash, comes clean and no problems.

 

[Hartman]

Alright I'll give it a shot with the high pressure at work. I have a feeling that if I try to take it off, it'll never go on the same way. Thanks guys.

 

[Crankcase]

Originally posted by Stephen
Heh, nevermind then...

Is it just for noise supression?

I think it is for both noise, and heat supression. I guess if you get the bare bones model, Ford doesn't care if your hood bubbles or you have a louder ride.....

 

[Doug]

I heard it helps smother a flames in the event of an engine fire, a friend of mine was telling me the plastic pins that hold the matt in place melt and the blanket will fall on the motor and help put out a fire, but i could be wrong about that.

 

[Crankcase]

Originally posted by Namitey
I heard it helps smother a flames in the event of an engine fire, a friend of mine was telling me the plastic pins that hold the matt in place melt and the blanket will fall on the motor and help put out a fire, but i could be wrong about that.

You know, that actually sounds feasible...The only problems with that are: 1. The light wiring would hold it up, and, 2. The 91-94 mats are foamy like, the newer ones are the flame retardent like material...

 

[Doug]

Like i said i wasn't sure if it was true or not. Though it could be enough to keep a fire from flaming up. though i personally wouldnt trust it. I'd still carry a fire extinguisher.

 

[MONMIX]

Ya know it is a good thought. But to smother the flame it would need to be much bigger. I have seen too many burned out cars to put much stock in that.

 

[Alec]

I took mine off today to see if it makes a difference in anything. It will be a lot easier to install my hood scoop if I don't need that thing.

 

[Hartman]

Well mine was only held on with those push clips that are all over the interior, only they were bigger. After taking it off, I sprayed it with degreaser and sprayed it down with the hose and it was fine. I re-installed it and my engine should stay a little cleaner now.

 

[X24]

Mine is off right now because I'm installing that hood scoop. I will probably have to cut small holes in it for the excess bolt to stick through from the scoop. I'll try cleaning it before I put it back on.

Hartman, did yours come out perfect or would a very light coat of black spray paint make it better?

 

[410Fortune]

i ditched mine about 4 years ago, no problems with heat, noise or paint........

It starts to fall apart over time.

Also those plastic press clips are often refered to as "christmas tree clips" and they are designed to be a one time use item. You can get them at most trim shops...........