CHECK YOUR SPARKPLUGS! TSB 23-2011

[Blmpkn]

Due to a lackluster seam placement in the rangers cowl, water running down the windshield can & will make its way into the spark plug wells, especially if you park with the nose pointed downhill.

In some (lucky) cases, a simple misfire is all that will occur. Ford's official fix is replace plug, replace coil/boot, goop up with dielectric grease, and install the very engine cover they deleted from the trucks after MY2019.

In extreme cases.. the plug will be so ridiculously corroded that the repair ends up being a complete head replacement.

This has been an incredible nightmare for folks who've had to deal with this, thanks to Ford & their dealers ABSOLUTE ABYSMAL customer care in the past few years.

Making the problem worse is Ford's reccomended 100k mile plug change interval.. The longer you run your factory plugs.. the closer you are to a brand new head.. possibly ON YOUR DIME. CHECK THEM! CHECK THEM NOW!

If the wells look gross, and you're still under warranty, dont touch them. Make yourself an appt. with your stealership of choice and let THEM snap those plugs off (mabey)

The community has also figured out that putting a piece of foam pipe insulation across the cowl covering the seam will keep your wells nice and dry regardless of the weather.

I would personally avoid the engine cover, and go with the pipe insulation... as engine covers where I live do nothing but give rodents an extremely appealing place to live. YMMV.

 

[Blmpkn]

Attached is what I believe is the most recent TSB on the issue.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Fawk it. I'm switching to Land Rover.

 

[RobbieD]

Fawk it. I'm switching to Land Rover.

" The Rover Station "

I can dig it; we won't have to change our stickers.

 

[Jim Oaks]

In all serious though, why did Ford do away with the covers?

 

[Blmpkn]

In all serious though, why did Ford do away with the covers?

Penny pinching by the bean-counters.

Last time I checked there were over 2 DOZEN deleted features between 2019 and 2023 trucks..

Ones off the top of my head..

The PRNDS beside the shifter used to be back-lit, there used to be a trim ring around the ignition cylinder, they ditched the ecoboost badge on the tailgate, RANGER used to be embossed in the seats, they switched the hood struts for a prop-rod, no more engine cover, 2 less tie downs in the bed, there used to be a glove box damper... and many many more.

 

[Blmpkn]

" The Rover Station "

I can dig it; we won't have to change our stickers.

I'd be all about it... except I really don't want to be spending 1200$ on a wheel bearing or a strut lol.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Damn dude. You could write a whole article on what's different about a 2019 Ranger.

I wonder what corners they'll cut when they give the UAW raises?

 

[2011Supercab]

In all serious though, why did Ford do away with the covers?

I'll bet they're asking themselves that same question about now.

 

[Blmpkn]

Damn dude. You could write a whole article on what's different about a 2019 Ranger.

I wonder what corners they'll cut when they give the UAW raises?

I'd like to contribute with some sort of article eventually.. but I'd like to wait until I can write one where the topic is fun or helpful.. rather than sad and disappointing

 

[Josh B]

The last union I was in in Tennessee it was also a right to work state, so you could take it or leave it. After all kinds of tossing things around they gave us a $2 a day raise and cut our afternoon break. The next day I cut the union

 

[RobbieD]

Penny pinching by the bean-counters.

Last time I checked there were over 2 DOZEN deleted features between 2019 and 2023 trucks.

Automotive "shrinkflation".

Even sadder, that's stuff you can see. Failure Analysis is part of sound engineering. A leak path and water collection in a critical area like that should have been caught early, if not in the design stage. If the engine cover was the answer, then the ball got dropped when the decision was made to delete it.


@Blmpkn 's post was a great service for those affected who weren't aware; that's why The Rover Station rocks!

I'd be all about it... except I really don't want to be spending 1200$ on a wheel bearing or a strut lol.

Tut tut, my good man. A small price indeed, "chickenfeed" as you colonials say, to be seen and revered as an automotive snob.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Fawk it. I'm switching to Land Rover.

Fun fact, a Discovery II is within an inch or two of the same wheelbase as a TTB Explorer Sport. Frames rust on the Disco, bodies rust on the Explorer...

In all serious though, why did Ford do away with the covers?

Jeep deleted them too, they actually have a TSB on people complaining about not having a cover and that they are not missing and if you order one under warranty they will reject your claim.

The correct term is decontenting. Less chips in the same size bag for the same price.

 

[sgtsandman]

This makes me want to buy that aftermarket metal engine cover even more. For what Ford is charging for a factory cover, one isn’t that far off from the aftermarket one.

 

[Jim Oaks]

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JcrOffroad: Ranger Engine Cover | 4th Gen (19-23)

Needs a TRS logo on the front of it.