What is this thing – and can it be easily removed?

[StreetCreeper]

Trying to replace the cylinder head temp sensor on my 2003 expedition 5.4L but I can’t really get access to the sensor because of this black plastic “wall” thing for lack of a better term. I don’t see it in a video I looked at where they swapped out the CHT sensor.

Is this removable? Or is there another way to get better access to the sensor?

 

[houlster]

That's the lower part of the intake manifold. Not sure if there's another way to access the sensor other than to remove the whole manifold.

--Dan

 

[StreetCreeper]

That's the lower part of the intake manifold. Not sure if there's another way to access the sensor other than to remove the whole manifold.

--Dan

It turns out that the manifold sits right behind this black wall of plastic that appears to be a sound barrier. So I just grabbed my pocket knife and cut out a section of it and replaced my sensor with a Napa one. No more false overheating and subsequent “limp mode” now.