Ford Flex | Clogged Cowl Drain | Water on the floor !!

#fordflex
Here I show why the water leaks onto the passenger floor in the Flex.
I then demonstrate the process of removing the wipers, the cowl trim piece and then cleaning out the cowl drains.
You can also remove those rubber inserts to clean them easier and...... dare I say it but.... you could leave them out ....YOUR VEHICLE YOUR CHOICE!
If equipped remember to replace the cabin air filter.
Drive a Taurus (2010-2019) or a Ford Explorer (2011-2019)?
Then this procedure can be used as guide to clear out those cowl drains as well.
If you’re not feeling up to removing the whole cowl assembly- I show where the water drains.
Using a small mirror that pivots and if your feeling tricky ricky- you could try reaching behind the strut towers and using pry tool to reach up from underneath and clear out the drains that way.
Videos linked in the cards-
Flex oil change - • Ford Flex oil change |...
Spark plug change- • Ford Flex spark plug r...
Gear
Camera-Galaxy S10+
Microphone-fifine wireless microphone.
Edited by- Me
Follow me on Social Media
Twitter @BelkinEco
Facebook-@EcoBelkin
Updated 08/23

[@edwardperdue4040]

Had this problem today after a major rainstorm! My Flex looks like your Flex…color and all! Thanks for the tip about the cabin air filter!

[@HansToyHut]

thumbs up just for the fact you had the manual ready to go. this is how you provide a DIY to viewers!

[@jakejacobs3493]

All videos are informative BUT, when I opened hood to beging my cowl are was full of pine needles etc. I first look around and yes drains were plugged with debris. However on my 2014 Flex SEL I was fortunate to discover that I could access the plugged drain with a shop vac and a small vacuum accessory crevice tool at both ends. Waited for stuff to dry the scrapped it a dit to loosen debris and vacuumed it out. Also cleared the drain to engine compartment with a small bent tool. Done deal without Disassembley 👌 Hope this helps. Cowl covers will make a difference But look before you start.

[@gregorysolomon1727]

My 2010 Ford Taurus this 2023 developed water puddle on passenger side! It took me 2 days to fix it . Generally I think the water drains channels should be more excessive for cleaning. I am a retired PLUMBER 😊

[@spankymagee]

Bro! I had the exact same break in that pipe and mine is ran exactly like that. 😆 I actually used a blue wire crimp terminal to put the 2 hoses together. Has worked for like 4 years thus far.

[@dimplepointfive]

I’ve used this several times now for reference when cleaning out the drains in our 2014 flex SEL. Thanks!

[@2robertc]

You no doubt saved me hundreds of dollars. Thanks for making this video and for the attention to detail. One suggestion. Instead of using muscle to release the two white pins that affix the drain pans to the chassis, slip an 8mm socket over the end of the pin to squeeze the plastic together and then pull up on the pan. This way you won’t risk damaging the pins or the pans. This wasn’t my idea, I found it in another video and really liked it

[@shirleyheadrick1799]

I've been dealing with this for about a year when it rains hard. I was afraid it was something really bad wrong. I was able to fix it myself!! Thank you!

[@donridzon8914]

Easiest fix is to knock that grommet out and be done with it. No more issues.

[@webkinzlovers5351]

First---thanks for this video---very helpful and educational! Rant: Went to Safelite to get windshield replaced. A week goes by (no rain) and then we get hit with 2 heavy rains. Day after my passenger floor has 2" of standing water. I spend the next 5 days cleaning all this up, took seat out, took front carpet out, dried everything off and put it back together. I had Safelite re-do their work (we never had any leaks whatsoever prior to Safelite's work). I told them they might've knocked some more debris during their work into these drain grommets. They said they looked at it and didn't touch anything else. I said ok----got home after their 2nd repair, took the cowl off myself and looked at these rubber grommets. They were covered in leaves and debris---they never even looked at it. I doubt they even tried to clean anything out in this area. Also, doesn't look like they removed the cowl panels (3 of them on '14 Flex). Next time y'all get your windshield replaced, please don't expect Safelite to clean this area out for you. They only remove your old windshield and place a new one on----they do nothing else. Pretty disappointed in them. On a final note, I found another video where you don't need to remove the big top cowl panel. You have much less room to work with and need smaller hands, but it is possible to do that if you're having trouble removing your wipers.

[@TheOldNeighborhood]

Yes, I have had the problem in my Flex and it wasn't that old but the problem was that there was a tree near my driveway that kept dropping some sort of fuzzy things onto the cowl which crumbled and went down into the cowl blocking the drains. I literally had 2" of water on the passenger side when I first noticed it. It took the dealership two tries before they did the job right but it was under warranty so I didn't have to pay for it however they managed to scratch the trim and the hood in the process and break one of the wiper arms. If I made them fix the scratches I'm sure they would have only made it worse and I didn't notice the broken wiper arm until a year later when I went to change the blade. Now it's doing it on the driver side. This time I'll fix it myself with some help from your video. Thanks. I liked your video style you sound like me when I doing something and it doesn't go so smooth and it becomes a learning process. However I curse a lot when I do things or so my wife tells me. LOL

[@TOMASSOTOTV]

This video is the best. Did everything as he said and sure enough. It was super clogged up. This video saved me a lot of money. Thank you

[@EcoBelkin]

Your welcome🙂

[@mojojojohighpowerrocketry]

You're awesome! I had no idea there were even drains in there that were able to be plugged. Had to replace the blower motor still because the darn thing was full of water, but this should stop that from happening for another 10 years I hope. thanks again

[@barryw9473]

Thanks! I noticed a very slow leak in front of the driver's door. I didn't want to take off the wipers so I just got a ~2 foot long zip tie and stuck it through the cowl louvers to clear the grommet. Voila! I got a gush of water draining onto the ground. Glad it wasn't so bad that water got into the car because a big storm is coming. Thanks again!

[@curtesamoangelos5995]

Watched from Yosemite, Kentucky. Thanks much. I have a 2011 Flex with a broken passenger side wiper connection. Only the driver wiper works. Thanks for showing me how to get that cover off. And while it's off I'm going to clean those water drains. Thanks again!

[@EcoBelkin]

You are welcome.

[@vaancor2955]

Great vid man, very helpful, to the point, and felt like one of us working on it.

[@asilva2228]

Ty very much in showing me my problems with water coming into my Ford Flex keep up the good work!!!😊

[@TRUTHSEEKER1129]

PERFECT THANK YOU SOO MUCH FOR THIS VID....It's been a pain in my ass dealing with my wife's car and standing water. 😖

[@chrisp.6056]

Excellent!!! Nice & entertaining too. I am in Florida& it's the rainy season.....yes....I have water in the front floor board. AND in the trunk, which I suspect is from the tail light. thank you

[@michaellee1834]

Thank you for your help

[@barbaragibbs1759]

Have a 2014 Ford Flex started have problem with water on the floor of the passenger side in May of 2021. taking my car in on Monday July 26, 2021 to have it repair, thanks to this video I know what the problem is before I take it to the repair shop. If I was younger and had the tools I would repair myself. I will report back if they try to rip me off

[@macilarae]

As a matter of fact, I have a 2015 Ford flex. I've been having that prob, being a female...it's a little much 4 me 2 do. I had 2 leave my truck behind for hurricane Ida. Now I have water & mold on the front floors of the vehicle. Have 2 cover it 2 bring 2 the shop 2 take care of the mold. It's a PROBLEM of Ford I see.

[@kirbylumanta1873]

thank you for this video

[@ChristineTiggle]

Thanks for the explanation I actually got it on the driver side and it screwed up my computer system totally need a better system fix for this

[@Tom-pd9ms]

Those two ‘rubber boot’ (passenger and driver’s side) drains can be easily pulled out and cleaned. No need to vacuum or poke them clean. They slip right back in. Hope that saves time and helps.

[@carolbernal-jo1bj]

Thanks so much thanks to you i sabed 500 dlls! Lol and I dis it myself 💪💪💪

[@leeharrison650]

Thank you so much. I have a 2012 Lincoln MKT. Fortunately, my cowling is in 2 pieces and much easier to do. Thank you for the video. I have the actual shop manual but it was of no use!

[@skyeandryanarcolacreektatt8735]

Great video

[@barbarahodges8835]

Thank you for sharing.

[@HappyCamper1992]

First thank you for the video. Second I guess I got lucky I was able to get my hand to the one on the passenger side and pull it out from the bottom. Yup it was clogged. And was able to replace it without too much issue and without any dismantling. The drivers side I had to use a wooden dowel and a flashlight and with some Dawn dish soap and low amount of water was able to work the clog out from the outside. But thank you for showing me the locations

[@MultiLelde]

I’ve got a 09 Taurus with a leaking issue so I’ll try this tomorrow. I’m guessing the water overflows in there and goes into the air Intake. Thanks I’m advance, this is probably the clearest video I’ve seen of what to do.

[@macilarae]

2015 Ford Flex, having the same water problem, when it rains!! Now I'm dealing with Mold, due 2 my vehicle being home during Hurricane Ida. I have 2 cover the floors, so I can drive it 2 the shop.

[@joethompson8147]

Great video! Have water in passenger side, 09 Flex certain this is the issue. I will fix and report

[@rockyhernandez5763]

I just bought a 2018 flex myself. And I took it straight to the carwash and water was dripping from underneath the glove compartment. So I will be doing this myself as well. But my question is does your flex smoke when you turn it on from the mufflers? Blue maybe whitish smoke? Mine does but only now and then. I also have the EcoBoost. I don't if maybe it's the water getting into the exhaust from the Cowell area not draining right or that maybe the turbos have a seal leak that needs replacing. Mine only has 75k miles on him so I'm curious if I'm not properly treating my turbos right with turning it on and off tío soon maybe? I don't drive it like a maniac.

[@spikekavalench]

Thanks!

[@unperromas6180]

Exactly what I have on my flex

[@kylescott6225]

Thanks

[@pamelawaddle4564]

Very same day my front vents stopped blowing air. Any chance it's related? Please respond if you see this. Thank you

[@EcoBelkin]

Plausible - blower maybe shorted.

[@jamesmassey5802]

I've a ford focus with this problem and I can't get the wipers off haha. I've never done this

[@mr2loser]

Any possible access to try to clean and open those grommets from underneath now that you know where they drain to?

[@EcoBelkin]

No. They are behind the strut towers. Difficult to reach. Not enough room to get your hand back there.

[@mr2loser]

Thanks!

[@davidmendrecruz7229]

👍👍👍👏👏👏

[@unperromas6180]

Other than that flex runs like a champ

[@rws3191]

Been putting off fixing this cause I’ve been scared it’s a bad heater core… looks like I got myself a weekend project to do now

[@ogcirclegame3833]

My ford flex brother this happen to me this morning

[@slimjim1104]

Have you experienced the buzzing sound coming from the bottom center of the windshield while driving? Like wind noise?

[@slimjim1104]

Sounds like this.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKjGZGCmidlmgpI

[@EcoBelkin]

On occasion I've heard what sounds like wind noise coming from the middle of the windshield

[@crazypnda605]

HELP. I did this with my 2009 Ford Taurus limited edition. And I cleared the obstructions BUT afterwards I took it to a car wash and it was leaking still in the front passenger side. I hosed down the drains with direct water when I fixed it and it wasn’t draining into the passenger floor only a few minutes later at the car wash it did. What happened? Could it be something else?

[@EcoBelkin]

Not realy sure. There may be a pin hole at the bottom of the blower intake or somewhere with in the cavity. Mine drips water in once in a while and I know my cowl drains are clean. Leading me to believe that a pin hole is at the bottom of the blower intake or somewhere close to the blower intake.

[@AlfredoVasquez-zm1fk]

We're did u get the shop book from I need one

[@EcoBelkin]

Purchased mine from ebay- about6/7 years ago

[@joeg2942]

Good video, except for one detail. Removing the wipers isn't necessary. Moving them to the vertical position is all that's needed.

[@nesripper6377]

I have the same a similar problem but from the driver's side

[@ElevatorWasher5000]

The drain isn’t clogged on mine just the leaves blocking the “gutters”

[@geealmulla]

What is the tool you used to get the wiper arm off and where do I find one ?

[@EcoBelkin]

I used a tie rod/ ball joint separator found at any big box auto store.

[@geealmulla]

@@EcoBelkin thank you

[@EcoBelkin]

Your welcome.

[@Keeslertruck3390]

I used a battery terminal puller

[@xephael3485]

Dykes ford service manual have part numbers? Should be able to search ebay for new cowl and clips.

[@EcoBelkin]

The top trim is like $180 from tasca. And the clips are wheel liner clips.

[@richardcarter8345]

I have that problem

[@WiLL02724]

I did this yesterday with out removing the wipers or top cover plastic.

[@aliekatsmom]

Please tell me.

[@WiLL02724]

@@aliekatsmom are you in the Ford Flex owners group on Facebook?

[@ElevatorWasher5000]

The issue with mine was that a bunch of leaves were blocking the drain

[@sergeyvandaalen]

Thanks dude. But maybe just a slight remark. "try not to hit your windshield" "BONK". Jokes aside. It gives me a clear idea of where to look on my old car for waterleaks. Cheers!

[@michellebarnes4439]

I do

[@Tithulta1]

How long do you think this fix took? I needed to do it before this rain hit lol

[@b.f.m.]

Just did it after watching the video. Took 40 mins start to finish.

[@2robertc]

Took me a couple of hours because I’m compulsive

[@michaelglazier6174]

9

[@smacktonian]

Why even have a grommet. Why not just take it out?

[@xephael3485]

14:30 didn't paint it😋 also is that a pink ford flex?

[@EcoBelkin]

No did not paint it. I sort of like the aged look.

[@webslinger325]

those rubber grommets are traps. you snatch them out from underneath, clean them out, and put them back. no need to take that stuff apart

[@EcoBelkin]

oddly enough.. a year or so after I filmed this I ... reached behind the passenger side strut tower and snatched it out and never put it back.

[@Fr8hustler]

Why did Ford have to replace your engine? I have a 2010 limited and haven’t had any engine issues..

[@EcoBelkin]

Engine issues at 84k.

[@nblade15]

Would you two say purchased a used one or no based on your experience? I’m looking into a 2013-2015 with moonroofs....

[@nblade15]

Either SEL or Limited

[@Fr8hustler]

@@nblade15 I love the vehicle! I handles well, has plenty of room, and it’s still stylish to me. You will enjoy all of the light from the extra moonroof. I would see if you could find a all wheel drive version...

[@nblade15]

@@Fr8hustler I have found an AWD version limited but it’s a 2013....they want 13k for it though 😫, so I’m trying to figure it out. I love the stylish look for them as well. I just want to make sure I’m able to have it for at least 4-5 years. I have 3 kids so that’s why I was thinking the moonroofs would be great to keep them occupied as well.

[@jasonspellich2440]

Just throw out the grommets

[@EcoBelkin]

That seems to be a common result. Myself , at one point ripped out the passenger one- and never put it back in.

[@jasonspellich2440]

@@EcoBelkin really, what purpose do they serve?