Northern Man

Hey guys, I just bought a new 2012 f-150 eco-boost. Have to say its best vehicle I have ever driven. Only have 450 km on it but can't wait to put on more. Anyways I was at the dealership pricing out grill inserts and the guy told me If I put anything over the inter-cooler this can void my warranty. Has anybody heard of this? Also anybody have issues with bugs, birds or debris hitting your cooler and damaging it?

troutspinner

Congrats on the new vehicle. Just do a search, this subject has been discussed and discussed and discussed......

Welcome to the forum!

MadocHandyman

Some dealers say that and other dealers sell them.
My service department hasn't said anything about mine yet. I've had it almost a year.

rocco

my service dept. has said nothing about mine until this morning, the adviser told me that if the shop foreman or service manager see's it they will note it in my file and to take it off to avoid any future hassles - something i don't need.

superccs

There are some available on ebay for around $40. Work perfectly and look great. Easy install.
Search for "bumper grill insert"

One of the lackies at my dealership made some comment about mine too, but they will have to provide some crazy good evidence that a grill insert will result in damage to my truck.

BE25FX4

people put grills over intercooler's ALL the time. Ford is the only group of dummies that i have seen that doesn't. a grill protects the component,... it doesn't necesarily hender full airflow. i'm with superccs... they would have to prove it.

i would put one on and tell the dealer to sh## in their hat if they made remarks.

Rider

So the dealer sells a part specifically for the vehicle, but if you buy and use that part, your warranty will be voided? That doesn't make any sense at all.

MadocHandyman

Some dealers sell them, some don't. Can't really see what parts in the warranty they could possibly void because of a grill but I'm sure some will try.

sluggo1

This has been highly debated in numerous threads..imho i have a grille style and do not see how it would affect airflow as plenty of air gets through there while driving. That being said I would not use a screen or mesh style cover though because I do not think that style would allow as much air through. I know you can't compare the two but think about this. All trucks have grille's on the front of the truck protecting the radiator and plenty of air gets through there. This should be no different. In the other threads there was a couple guys who actually somehow checked the diagnostics with the grille on the intercooler installed and they saw no difference with or without. I like the look better and fact it will protect it from any debris that could fly up into it. I just got back from a 1000 mile roadtrip and truck ran like a champ..

1moretoy4me

10,000+ miles with one on with NO issues and several dealer visits to dealer with nothing ever mentioned.
I washed the truck yesterday and found many hits / nicks on the grille, so it must have stopped something from hitting the intercooler. Intercooler has some bugs stuck in it, few shiny spots where maybe smaller debris hits, that's it.
Funny thing, I drove about 300 miles today at about 75 to 85 mph and sometimes faster when having to pass with the foot to the floor. Stopped for gas, raised hood to check oil, intercooler was just slightly warm to touch, that's it. I know that I used the turbos several times and prior to exiting off to get the gas.
Wondered at times about measuring the temps across the inlet & outlet myself to see whats the actual effect of the intercooler, but after feeling what I felt, not even interested anymore.
Remember, anything you do to your truck MUST BE PROVEN WITHOUT A DOUBT that it cause the failure or otherwise they can't deny without risking a lawsuit.