How can I remove ice from inside the truck’s charge cord receptacle

[Bwanapete]

I need help.

No problem the first 2 winters but now I can’t plug in far enough to latch the plug and charge the truck. I did just order the pricy Canadian charge port cover but the horse has already been stolen. No garage and the weather has been and is forecast to remain 0 to 20 with more snow almost daily and worst of all, very high wind.

I do carefully use a heat gun but is there a different way? For example what would happen if I squirt windshield washer fluid rated for 30 degrees below into where the plug goes? Maybe even preheated washer fluid?

Other ideas?

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[TaxmanHog]

I would stick with a careful use of the heat gun, then use compressed air-can to blast out the melted ice/water.

 

[topofsuperior]

I ran into this recently. I used a thin screw driver to scrape the snow and tap it out. Worked so I didn’t get out the heat gun yet. Will be watching this thread with interest

 

[Henry Ford]

How is the snow getting in there? I live in a cold climate and have never had any issues. I can envision a situation where you might not be able to close the charge port door but I don't understand how ice and/or snow gets into the actual charge port.

 

[sotek2345]

I would recommend a blow dryer instead of a heat gun - less chance of damaging the port.

Source: Guy who has melted too many important plastic things with a heat gun.

 

[RickLightning]

No, you should not put in washer fluid. Use a hair dryer to defrost, and an air hose or compressed air to blow out the liquid if you can't simply mop it up with a rag. Blow dry until nothing remains.

 

[Heliian]

So far this has happened to me once in 3 winters. Parked outside all the time and no cover. I use the fcsp.

I used my wife's hair dryer, it worked incredibly well. Not only did it melt the ice, the wind force generated by it helped clear anything out, way better than a heat gun.

Luckily the truck has outlets to spare if you're not near the house. Pro tip, keep an extension cord in your subfrunk for emergency use of electrical appliances.

 

[RickLightning]

This ^^^^

 

[rickersondon]

Try one of those EV port covers, the magnet will not stick but you can bend it to keep most of the water out.

 

[RickLightning]

People have cut a piece of hard rubber, like a floor panel, to fit.

https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...or-winter-magnets-wont-hold.22788/post-719015

 

[WilliamRobert]

A hair dryer would melt it easily, then blow out the water with air or dab it out with Q-tips. Then get one of these!

 

[RickKeen]

Compressed air at above-freezing temp out of a small nozzle will melt small amounts of ice and blow the water out quickly. Even a small temp above-freezing at high enough flow will cut through the ice.

(note that the air has to be above-freezing, so needs to come from a compressor tank in a heated garage or shop).

 

[Boomerboy]

Get a faucet cover from home depot. They are under $4. You need to trim to fit around the charger cord. I tried the cover available from ford parts / accessories and it was worthless. My $4 faucet cover works well.

 

[K6CCC]

No problem the first 2 winters but now I can’t plug in far enough to latch the plug and charge the truck.

Move to someplace that does not get that cold. Sorry, couldn't resist - I don't do snow...

 

[RickKeen]

A high-intensity work lamp with an incandescent bulb may throw enough gentle IR heat to melt things slowly. The kind with the 150W-500W Halogen bulbs. Like a heat lamp. Something with a clamp or a stand could maybe be setup easily.

LED Lamps of course will not throw enough heat.

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