Wet floor, sloshing sound, no drainage from the wiper cowl --> fix
 

After reviewing every WRONG way to locate the "drain" (which there technically isn't one) for the cowl/windshield wiper area, I decided to find the right way and post it here.

I was getting the familiar sloshing, wet floor symptom and knew my wiper drain wasn't emptying itself. The PROPER way to fix it is below, as there is not actually a drain in the form of what you are looking for.

Everyone gets under the truck looking for a drain hose...... don't bother, there isn't one. The drain itself is actually just a hole cut in the side of the wiper box that water runs out of, down the core support of the inner fender, and out the plastic box you see at the bottom of your front door edge. At no point is there an actual drain or hose, nor can you see any part of where the drainage area is in the fender. The water free falls the whole way down inside the fender lining to the bottom of the lining.

The only way to clean it is to do the following...........

Remove the fuse box by the two clips (takes no time at all, literally unclips). You as well may wish to undo your battery terminal if you are the skiddish type just so no energy is present. Afterwards, remove the three 7mm bolts holding the plate on to the firewall.

http://www.fordrangerforum.com/membe...img-0191-1.jpg

http://www.fordrangerforum.com/membe...img-0192-1.jpg

Look at all that crap........... clean it out with a wet vac.


http://www.fordrangerforum.com/membe...img-0196-1.jpg

http://www.fordrangerforum.com/membe...img-0197-1.jpg

You can see the box with the side plate removed here in these two pics, the triangle area.

http://www.fordrangerforum.com/membe...3-36-40-pm.png

http://www.fordrangerforum.com/membe...3-36-49-pm.png

At the bottom of the fender unbolt the box and drop it down so you can clean out the mud, it will likely be packed full. Horrible design, just a pencil eraser sized hole at the bottom.



http://www.fordrangerforum.com/membe...img-0195-1.jpg

http://www.fordrangerforum.com/membe...img-0194-1.jpg

Put it back together and it'll take a tinkle. :) (a smart man would open this hole up a little bit as well)


http://www.fordrangerforum.com/membe...img-0198-1.jpg

http://www.fordrangerforum.com/membe...img-0199-1.jpg

Re: Wet floor, sloshing sound, no drainage from the wiper cowl --> fix
 

wow, good work man! nice writeup.

Re: Wet floor, sloshing sound, no drainage from the wiper cowl --> fix
 

very nice man! this would be a good how-to

Re: Wet floor, sloshing sound, no drainage from the wiper cowl --> fix
 

Great Write up!

Re: Wet floor, sloshing sound, no drainage from the wiper cowl --> fix
 

Great idea and great write up!

Re: Wet floor, sloshing sound, no drainage from the wiper cowl --> fix
 

Thanks :) The most common complaint that would warrant this work is a musky smell in the vents. The water accumulates and becomes a little swap in there.

Re: Wet floor, sloshing sound, no drainage from the wiper cowl --> fix
 

would this cause the pass side floor to be soaked? my dad is telling me of his floor that is soaking wet, he thought heater core but is loosing no coolant and the floor does not smell like coolant.

Re: Wet floor, sloshing sound, no drainage from the wiper cowl --> fix
 

As title states, wet floor. :)

Re: Wet floor, sloshing sound, no drainage from the wiper cowl --> fix
 

One1, your explanation was very helpful. I have a '92 Ranger w/ manual tranny. Clutch fluid reservoir is located in the location you describe for the fuse box ('92 fusebox is on the pass side fender wall). There is a 3-bolt plate that holds the clutch reservoir, and that panel looks like the one you describe in the location of your fusebox. Despite these layout differences, do you suspect that the "drain" configuration is the same? Also, I do not see a bottom collection box of any type in the fender location you describe. Appears that the water drains through the body with no bottom catchment. Also, on the passenger side is the blower assy. Should that need to be removed to access the same "drain" configuration on the passenger side?

Re: Wet floor, sloshing sound, no drainage from the wiper cowl --> fix
 

The plate to which the clutch reservoir is attached on the std tranny 92 Ranger is the same as described by One1 as holding his fuse box. Pull the plate off (with clutch fluid reservoir attached) and all else is the same (no bottom catchment, it just flows through the body).

Anyone know if all drainage is to the driver side. No easy access is apparent to clean the passenger side cowl. Do you need to pull the blower?????

Re: Wet floor, sloshing sound, no drainage from the wiper cowl --> fix
 

Still dry! :)

Re: Wet floor, sloshing sound, no drainage from the wiper cowl --> fix
 

This is a great write up and it really helped me with a long term problem I have had with my 1988 Ranger.

Leaves can accumulate on the passenger side as well, but the problem and the fix is different. On my truck, leaves clogged the heating ducts,prevented the indoor/outdoor air flap from moving, and eventually prevented air from moving through the ducts.

Removing the blower motor will not give you access - screen in the way. Instead, you can access from the inside air intake -- under the dash on right side next to side panel. Cut out some of the plastic grating with wire cutters, and then use your hand and a vaccuum to remove the leaves. You may need to push the indoor/outdoor air flap out of the way. Picture attached.

Re: Wet floor, sloshing sound, no drainage from the wiper cowl --> fix
 

this needs to be stickyed. it helped and is good info

Re: Wet floor, sloshing sound, no drainage from the wiper cowl --> fix
 

oh shit i never knew waht that lil fender part was. lol

Re: Wet floor, sloshing sound, no drainage from the wiper cowl --> fix
 

My fuse box is different. It has a wire loom going out of the bottom and the front. How do I move it out of the way?