What good is this part?

ISpy · **Posted:** Wed Nov 28, 2007 5:36 pm

Okay, open the hood, look up at the top, forward passenger side corner,
you'll see a little spongy piece attached to the hood that closes down over
the air intake when the hood is closed. I think it's called an air deflector
something-or-other. Mine is missing. Is this part important? What does it do?
Does it increase airflow by directing air into the intake instead of letting it
leak over into the engine bay? Will I get better gas milage with it (better air
flow to intake), or is it just going to be a waste of my time and money to
put one on? Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks.

Dje Ryu · **Posted:** Wed Nov 28, 2007 11:19 pm

Couldn't say for sure but, I think it's there to keep water from getting into the intake but, unless the water is on the hood you wouldn't have to worry about it. Rain would be on the hood though so you might want to look into getting one.

ISpy · **Posted:** Thu Nov 29, 2007 10:11 am

I think I'll get one anyway. If it's for water or air it has to be good for something. The nimrod mech at the stealership told me I don't need it and it doesn't do anything so I asked him why they even put it on then and he went dumb on me.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 29, 2007 10:37 am

ISpy wrote:

Is this part important?

Not totally important.. Nice to have a complete KJ, but not that functional

ISpy wrote:

What does it do?

I always thought it was to prevent rubbing between the hood and filter box. I'm not sure what effect it would have at directing air

ISpy wrote:

Will I get better gas milage with it (better air
flow to intake), or is it just going to be a waste of my time and money to
put one on?

Any increase in MPG would not be caused by that little piece of rubber / foam thing.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu Nov 29, 2007 12:14 pm

It probably just seals the intake between the hood and the intake. Keeps heat from the engine from getting into the intake, but I would say it doesnt keep water out of the intake.

That little plastic thing that is mounted infront of the intake does keep water from getting into the intake though.

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 29, 2007 4:15 pm

Since the top of the airbox is hard plastic and this section of hood looks to be bare metal, I'd say it's just to prevent rubbing/vibration of the hood or air box lid. Doesn't look like it has anything to do with intake of any sort.

ISpy · **Posted:** Wed Dec 05, 2007 11:17 am

Thanks Jeepjeepster for the pic and explaination. I think you're right. It probably keeps the engine heat from entering the intake and maybe also it directs the cool outside air directly into the intake so that it doesn't get misdirected over the engine. I'm thinking that this air flow direction must increase performance in some way even if it is minor. I bought one from the stealership and am picking it up today and installing it. Trying to get things back to stock after buying used. Thanks again.

Jeep Dawg · **Posted:** Wed Dec 05, 2007 11:54 am

It's just like your splean, no one knows what it does or what its for :-)r

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed Dec 05, 2007 1:20 pm

Jeep Dawg wrote:

It's just like your splean, no one knows what it does or what its for :-)r

But if it ruptures you die. :shock:

Jeep Dawg · **Posted:** Wed Dec 05, 2007 10:18 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Jeep Dawg wrote:

It's just like your splean, no one knows what it does or what its for :-)r

But if it ruptures you die. :shock:

that's about the only thing it does that they know about. lol

unixxx · **Posted:** Thu Dec 06, 2007 2:14 am

With the amount of cost and material optimizing in vehicles today, I doubt Chrysler would add a part if it didn't serve at least some mildly important purpose.

theshoestore · **Joined:** Sat Dec 01, 2007 10:22 pm **Posts:** 5

Jeepjeepster wrote:

It probably just seals the intake between the hood and the intake. Keeps heat from the engine from getting into the intake, but I would say it doesnt keep water out of the intake.

That little plastic thing that is mounted infront of the intake does keep water from getting into the intake though.

What he said. The foam seems to make a barrier so only cold-ish outside air gets sucked in, not the hot engine bay air. You could probably fashion something similar yourself if you felt up to it. Or junkyard perhaps?

ISpy · **Posted:** Thu Dec 06, 2007 1:31 pm

theshoestore, I bought it for $10 at the stealership. It has little push-in plastic screws that line up with the holes, etc. 10 second install. A lot easier than making one and since its so cheap its better to just get a new one. I also replaced my engine bay hood liner because it was ripped to shreads. By the way, it increased my gas consumption by .01 mpg more but the weight increase took back the difference. haha Maybe the engine will run better with the seal illiminating the hot engine bay air. Remains to be seen. It's there for a reason.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 06, 2007 1:49 pm

Right now at 18degrees F I don't think we need to worry bout engine heat in the Motor City.

Guest · **Posted:** Thu Dec 06, 2007 1:53 pm

Jeep Dawg wrote:

It's just like your splean, no one knows what it does or what its for :-)r

The spleen disposes of old red blood cells.

bugnout · **Posted:** Thu Dec 06, 2007 2:49 pm

ThunderbirdJunkie wrote:

Jeep Dawg wrote:

It's just like your splean, no one knows what it does or what its for :-)r

The spleen disposes of old red blood cells.

I think you were thinking of the appendix as being useless. Since i'm missing mine, I can vouch that it isn't missed at all

theshoestore · **Joined:** Sat Dec 01, 2007 10:22 pm **Posts:** 5

sleeve84028 wrote:

Right now at 18degrees F I don't think we need to worry bout engine heat in the Motor City.

Haha that is definitely true. I'm still stuck in summer-brain mode.

What good is this part?

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