Windshield Snow Shield for Leaf/Pine Needle Protection

[DaveofDurham]

Does anyone have a Intro-Tech Windshield Snow Shield

http://www.autoanything.com/driving-accessories/60A4281A0A0.aspx

or similar product?  Will it help me with my leaf and pine needle problem?

 

We don't get much snow here, but we have lots of trees along our driveway and the Fall assault of leaves and pine needles has begun.  In the Spring, we had trouble with tree debris getting into the space where the hood hinges attach to the body and blocking the rainwater drain holes. [see thread titled "tree debris"]

 

I would like to avoid having this problem again and avoid having to do almost daily leaf and pine needle clean outs.  I'm wondering if a windshield snow shield will do the trick.  I would have to slide it forward and down so it covers the gap between the lower windshield and the back edge of the hood, but I don't know if a windshield snow shield will be secure in this position. 

[HannahWCU]

That's interesting. I never thought of using something like that. Let me know if you get it and how it works. Last time I cleaned the car I used a shop vac to clean out those areas under the hood that collect debris.

[DaveofDurham]

That's interesting. I never thought of using something like that. Let me know if you get it and how it works. Last time I cleaned the car I used a shop vac to clean out those areas under the hood that collect debris.

 

I ordered one on Wednesday.  I am anxiously awaiting it's arrival. 

[Tom]

Does anyone have a Intro-Tech Windshield Snow Shield

http://www.autoanything.com/driving-accessories/60A4281A0A0.aspx

or similar product?  Will it help me with my leaf and pine needle problem?

 

We don't get much snow here, but we have lots of trees along our driveway and the Fall assault of leaves and pine needles has begun.  In the Spring, we had trouble with tree debris getting into the space where the hood hinges attach to the body and blocking the rainwater drain holes. [see thread titled "tree debris"]

 

I would like to avoid having this problem again and avoid having to do almost daily leaf and pine needle clean outs.  I'm wondering if a windshield snow shield will do the trick.  I would have to slide it forward and down so it covers the gap between the lower windshield and the back edge of the hood, but I don't know if a windshield snow shield will be secure in this position. 

Here's what I got back from the company:

 

01:00:42 PM [Tom] 2013 Ford C-Max's have a design problem that your snow screen may address. The gap between the windshield and the hood allows leaves to enter where they accumulate in the "pockets" that the hood hinges occupy when the hood is down. When a quantity of leaves accumulates, the drain holes are blocked. Would your snow screen prevent this?

01:02:41 PM [Kevin A.] Welcome to AutoAnything. My name is Kevin A. I have no way of knowing that.

01:02:53 PM [Kevin A.] That is not the purpose of this product.

01:04:43 PM [Tom] Does your product cover the gap between the windshield and the hood? Can it be attached to do so?

01:05:20 PM [Kevin A.] No, it is only made to cover the windshield to keep snow off.

01:05:36 PM [Tom] Thank you.

 

Any other ideas out there?

 

Tom

[DaveofDurham]

Here's what I got back from the company:

 

01:00:42 PM [Tom] 2013 Ford C-Max's have a design problem that your snow screen may address. The gap between the windshield and the hood allows leaves to enter where they accumulate in the "pockets" that the hood hinges occupy when the hood is down. When a quantity of leaves accumulates, the drain holes are blocked. Would your snow screen prevent this?

01:02:41 PM [Kevin A.] Welcome to AutoAnything. My name is Kevin A. I have no way of knowing that.

01:02:53 PM [Kevin A.] That is not the purpose of this product.

01:04:43 PM [Tom] Does your product cover the gap between the windshield and the hood? Can it be attached to do so?

01:05:20 PM [Kevin A.] No, it is only made to cover the windshield to keep snow off.

01:05:36 PM [Tom] Thank you.

 

Any other ideas out there?

 

Tom

 

Tom -

 

I had an online chat with someone at Auto Anything too.  I explained why I was interested in the Snow Shield and asked if it would be secure if I slid it forward/down so it bridged the gap between the lower windshield and the back edge of the hood.  The answer I got was that it probably would be secure (i.e., the side flaps would still be held in place by the closed doors).   The rep said that I could give it a try to see if it served my intended purpose and that I could return it if I was not satisfied.  I figured it was worth a try with this custom cut product to see if it can save me from having to clean out tree debris under the hood and in the hinge pockets for 6-8 weeks every Fall and Spring.  When my Snow Shield arrives I will test it out and report back.

 

Dave

[Tom]

Tom -

 

I had an online chat with someone at Auto Anything too.  I explained why I was interested in the Snow Shield and asked if it would be secure if I slid it forward/down so it bridged the gap between the lower windshield and the back edge of the hood.  The answer I got was that it probably would be secure (i.e., the side flaps would still be held in place by the closed doors).   The rep said that I could give it a try to see if it served my intended purpose and that I could return it if I was not satisfied.  I figured it was worth a try with this custom cut product to see if it can save me from having to clean out tree debris under the hood and in the hinge pockets for 6-8 weeks every Fall and Spring.  When my Snow Shield arrives I will test it out and report back.

 

Dave

Dave,

 

Looking forward to learning how it works for you.  Good luck!

 

Tom

[Tom]

It was suggested elsewhere in this form that a pool noddle could be used to keep stuff from falling out of the back area when the lift gate is opened.  This may also work to stop leaf debris/snow/etc. from falling into the engine area between the hood and the windshield?  Has anyone tried it?

[DaveofDurham]

It was suggested elsewhere in this form that a pool noddle could be used to keep stuff from falling out of the back area when the lift gate is opened.  This may also work to stop leaf debris/snow/etc. from falling into the engine area between the hood and the windshield?  Has anyone tried it?

 

The pool noodle is an interesting idea.  That may be my plan B.

 

My Snow Shield arrived today, but I won't be able to try it out until Sunday when my wife and our C-Max return from a trip to the mountains. 

[Tom]

The pool noodle is an interesting idea.  That may be my plan B.

 

My Snow Shield arrived today, but I won't be able to try it out until Sunday when my wife and our C-Max return from a trip to the mountains. 

Dave,

 

I put the pool noodle on today.  The way I did it was to cut one side of the noodle lengthwise to fit onto the following edge of the hood. Then I made several short cuts across the the lengthwise cut a each end so that the noodle will bend following the curve of the hood at each side.  This works  for attachment.  The noodle lies above the windshield wipers so no potential damage there. Putting it on is somewhat laborious -- not as much as cleaning out the hing pockets. Perhaps the noodle will soften up with use.  

 

My first idea was to attach the noodle, using a somewhat shorter lengthwise cut, to the top (longer) windshield wiper arm but opted for the approach described above instead.

 

Will let you know how well it works after today's gift from the trees.

 

Tom

[DaveofDurham]

Dave,

 

I put the pool noodle on today.  The way I did it was to cut one side of the noodle lengthwise to fit onto the following edge of the hood. Then I made several short cuts across the the lengthwise cut a each end so that the noodle will bend following the curve of the hood at each side.  This works  for attachment.  The noodle lies above the windshield wipers so no potential damage there. Putting it on is somewhat laborious -- not as much as cleaning out the hing pockets. Perhaps the noodle will soften up with use.  

 

My first idea was to attach the noodle, using a somewhat shorter lengthwise cut, to the top (longer) windshield wiper arm but opted for the approach described above instead.

 

Will let you know how well it works after today's gift from the trees.

 

Tom

 

Tom -

 

That's a great plan.  I'm looking forward to your next report.  One plus I see for the noodle is that it will be very easy and fast to remove.

 

I think the snow shield will be cumbersome to remove and roll especially if it is wet from dew/condensation.

 

Dave

[Bill-N]

May I also suggest pipe insulation; the kind used to insulate hot water pipes.  I haven't tried it, but it seems as though the smaller size might tuck between the hood and the windshield.  I have used it with great success as a way of keeping the cold, winter air out of the grill (it slips over the horizontal grill pieces).

Edited October 21, 2013 by Bill-N

[Tom]

Tom -

 

That's a great plan.  I'm looking forward to your next report.  One plus I see for the noodle is that it will be very easy and fast to remove.

 

I think the snow shield will be cumbersome to remove and roll especially if it is wet from dew/condensation.

 

Dave

Dave,

 

Went out this morning to find that the portions of the noodle, as attached to the hood,  beyond the top (longer) windshield wiper blade and arm allowed leaves into the engine compartment because there was a gap between the bottom of the noodle and the windshield.  I have attempted to remedy this by removing the portions of the noodle beyond the wiper arm and blade from the hood and just tucking the noodle in between the roof of the hood and the windshield glass.  Seems to provide a tight fit so I expect this approach will work better. Will let you know.

 

The suggestion above about pipe insulation is also one I want to follow up on.  May be the answer to the fitting-the-noodle-on the-hood-edge which, so far, is a pain.

 

Tom

[Tom]

May I also suggest pipe insulation; the kind used to insulate hot water pipes.  I haven't tried it, but it seems as though the smaller size might tuck between the hood and the windshield.  I have used it with great success as a way of keeping the cold, winter air out of the grill (where is slips over the horizontal grill pieces).

Bill-N,

 

I want to thank you for you suggestion.  I bought some 1 inch  X 3 feet pipe insulation today and it is far superior to the pool noodle.

 

Much easier to install and fills the gap the pool noodle didn't.

 

Tom

[DaveofDurham]

Tom -

 

How is the pipe insulation working?

 

Here are some photos of what it looked like under the hood after our C-Max was parked for 4 days atop the eastern continental divide (altitude 4,200 feet) near Highlands NC.

 

 

[Tom]

Tom -

 

How is the pipe insulation working?

 

Here are some photos of what it looked like under the hood after our C-Max was parked for 4 days atop the eastern continental divide (altitude 4,200 feet) near Highlands NC.

 

photo-1.JPGphoto-2.JPG

Pipe insulation is working fine.  I think it's the answer.  If you want to try it, get the one inch size.

[METROMAN]

Pics of pipe insulation installed?

[DaveofDurham]

I bought a 6 foot length of foam pipe insulation (for 1" diameter pipe).  I cut off two pieces - a longer section for the passenger side and a shorter section for the driver side - and put them in place for tonight's leaf and pine needle drop.

 

Will report back on the results soon.

[CarpeNivem]

That snow shield thing looks very appealing, except for the interior strap. I think magnets on the A-pillar would've been a much better design. :(

[Tom]

While the foam pipe insulator works when used, for me at least, I don't use it except at home, overnight, etc.  When I take the C-Max out for various short trips I don't bother to replace the pipe insulators on the windshield area and this sometimes results in leaf infiltration. In taking a closer look at the hinge pockets that retain fallen leaves, they are plastic. So I'm wondering if the weep holes can be enlarged so that leaf debris would just wash on through and out?  Not sure what's underneath the pockets that might prevent this solution -- if anything?

 

Any further thoughts?

[Tom]

Further Adventures with Leaf Debris:

 

After cleaning out the accumulation this morning, I placed a strong flash light directly over the weep hole to try to determine where the water goes?  Turns out that it goes into the engine area just below the plastic hinge pockets!  So, pending a discussion with mt Ford dealer's service department, I don't see why the weep holes can't be enlarged enough to allow leaf debris, etc. to wash on through and out?