Georgiaboy5.0L

I know this topic is as old as dirt....but I just had my first chance at changing oil in an Ecoboost.....pain in the ***....not one of Fords better ideas.......can anyone tell me why the under side if the Eco is sealed with steel plates and rubber flaps and fiber board molded piece that covers the engine and tranny....looks like alot of wasted parts to me.....anybody know WHY?

CaSCrew11

The fiber board is called a "slash shield". Laaaame. I know. But that steel plate upfront is somewhat of like a free skid plate/splash guard.

Georgiaboy5.0L

I agree.....but on my 2wd a skid plate is a waste.....I can see at 36,001 miles that stuff will find a new home......in the trash can.

Mike831

That steel skid plate actually protects your electric powersteering rack.

Georgiaboy5.0L

If thats true....then why didn't my 5.0 2011 have one.....none of that junk under a 5.0

Mike831

I know one of the owners at my dealership has a 2011 xlt 4x4 with the 5.0. and his has a skid plate is right under the steering rack.about 1/4 the size of the ecoboosts' skid plate. maybe the ecoboosts skidplate also helps protect the turbo's as well.

Snowflake

Might have something to do with air flow under the truck also. I've changed mine 3 times now and I don't see where it is a big deal other than my arms a little short. I have a hoist though

Georgiaboy5.0L

The turbo's are tucked very nicely out of the way......but as I mentioned I have a 2wd....I don't need skid plates and my 2011 5.0 was also a 2wd and no skid plates under it as well....looks like over kill to me........could be holding heat in instead of letting it get out as it should.

MPETE

iTrader: (1)

its for aerodynamics. it keeps airflow under the truck from being disrupted, while at the same time creating low pressure zones to help keep the engine cool. trashing them may not affect much, but it also may effect things significantly waaay down the road when your towing a trailer miles away from home and long after those things went in trash. now you have problems and have to buy new parts that you removed for "no good reason" other than you didnt know why they were there.

I mean seriously, is it really that big of a deal to have to remove them when you change the oil?

Georgiaboy5.0L

A big deal to remove....not really..........but when oil is dripping out of three different places at the same time....thats a royal pain......I personally don't like oil dripping on my garage floor after I'm finished because oil is still trapped in the skid plate.