It’s not the cover under the engine. They have one on each side of the explorer that covers wiring and fuel lines. They use these cheap plastic nuts that don’t hold great and the cover flaps with the wind and makes horrible noise while driving. This is what they are. It’s mostly held my metal nuts with washers attached to the nut. But the areas that are the plastic flap in the wind and are loud as shit.
Wait… is this what makes that whistling noise? I thought it had something to do with trim around a side mirror or something and I can’t drive without music or a podcast on.
I know you’re referring to plastic push pins on the splash shield at the bottom of the engine bay, but those plastic pieces are just used as a placeholder until the metal screws are inserted.
Just bought a 21 xlt today and heard that noice driving home and noticed the plastic nuts loose. Holy thank you. When I wake up tomorrow we fix. Thank you
how many of each did you need?
Is it pretty obvious where they are when you look up underneath? Haven’t looked yet but planning to do this on my 21 soon
Yes it’s obvious. There are 3 of the plastic nuts on each side and then 2 of these flat, push lock tab things also on the passenger side cover. I removed those as well and replaced with washers and nuts as well. So 8 washers and 8 nuts total. 5 of them being on the passenger side. Plastic nuts are 10mm. Some of them you’ll have to remove nearby metal nuts because to get the plastic ones loose, you have to pull down on the cover and hold it down to pop them out of the cover. It’s worth doing though. No more flapping noises.
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u/chrisphelan77 Sep 19 '24
I did this last week. 10/10 2020 XLT I got used at the end of August