Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Renovations => Topic started by: gam on January 12, 2012, 09:14:15 pm

Title: engine compartment insulation
Post by: gam on January 12, 2012, 09:14:15 pm
I just had the alternator fail on the road on a trip back to Mich.  When I was able to get a good look at the old alternator I found its air pasages were full of small pieces of the engine compartment insulation. To repair the insulation, I have covered the side walls with a piece of 1/4"kaowool and then covered that with metal roofing material. On the under side of the bed I will use the kaowool and cover that with 28 gage aluminum . Gam
Title: Re: engine compartment insulation
Post by: Don & Tys on January 12, 2012, 10:02:20 pm
I have some similar plans (about number 12 on my rather long Foretravel project list), and so would appreciate some pictures of your solution.
Don
I just had the alternator fail on the road on a trip back to Mich.  When I was able to get a good look at the old alternator I found its air pasages were full of small pieces of the engine compartment insulation. To repair the insulation, I have covered the side walls with a piece of 1/4"kaowool and then covered that with metal roofing material. On the under side of the bed I will use the kaowool and cover that with 28 gage aluminum . Gam
Title: Re: engine compartment insulation
Post by: nlh1250 on January 13, 2012, 10:15:06 pm
Ditto Don    Norm
Title: Re: engine compartment insulation
Post by: Steve Mudd on January 30, 2013, 01:00:44 am
I had a similiar problem with my engine compartment insulation....it was falling all over the engine and creating a real mess. I pulled the old insulation out and reinsulated both the engine and generator compartments with 1/4" reflective insulation board from Home Depot and attached it using fender washers and screws. I covered the seams with alumimum tape.......looks and works great!!  It's a job.....I did the entire comparts, sidewalls included.
Title: Re: engine compartment insulation
Post by: Roland Begin on January 30, 2013, 11:32:59 am
Did you use the blanket or the board, and who did you use for a vendor?

Roland
Title: Re: engine compartment insulation
Post by: John Duld on January 30, 2013, 01:14:13 pm
I used whispermat by AAP inc, they use it in generator quiet boxes.
Cost was $500 for enough to do the engine and generator compartments.
You can call and ask for a sample.
Eight04-six33-nine454.
Title: Re: engine compartment insulation
Post by: Chuck Pearson on January 30, 2013, 04:24:48 pm
Wouldn't it be a reasonable alternative to leave the old insulation in place and just cover it with some of the metallic coated flex fabric made for engine bay use?  The old insulation is some pretty effective and pricey stuff.

Chuck
Title: Re: engine compartment insulation
Post by: John Duld on January 30, 2013, 05:07:20 pm
Chuck,

It might have been good stuff at one time but mine was falling appart.
The old foam turned to sand when I touched it. Don't think it was doing much good anymore.
Title: Re: engine compartment insulation
Post by: Steve Mudd on January 30, 2013, 08:30:08 pm
I used the 1/4" insulations board from HOme Depot. I had to cover some of the old insulation with the board, just because I could not get it all off. As someone else stated, after a while the old insulation just turns to dust when touched and is little to no value. In fact it is left on it just make a mess and get dusty and make your engine compartments filthy!
Title: Re: engine compartment insulation
Post by: Larry Bradley on January 30, 2013, 09:35:19 pm
I had a commercial insulation company remove all old insulation and spray foam insulation.  Don't know cost as I had a large patio covered at same time.  It is now quieter and cooler in bedroom area.

Larry
97 U 270
Jeep GC
Title: Re: engine compartment insulation
Post by: aspenpilot on January 30, 2013, 11:08:06 pm
When I replaced the insulation in my engine compartment I used a material that had a lead barrier sandwiched between some type of foam;  One side was faced with a silver reflective material.  Fitting the material to the access hatch was hard as the material was very heavy.  Heat transmitted to the bedroom was significantly reduced as was the noise.  Looking forward to seeing your pics.
Title: Re: engine compartment insulation
Post by: JohnFitz on January 31, 2013, 10:25:31 pm
Quote
I used the 1/4" insulation board from HOme Depot.
Steve,
Just a word of caution to make sure the material you're using can handle the temperatures.  I know the turbo on the the U300's are very close to the bottom of the bed - you don't want it to "light your pants on fire" :))  Seriously, you want to make sure it's safe. 
I put a turbo blanket on mine.  Pictures in this post: Engine Compartment insulation (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=11956.msg61461#msg61461)
Title: Re: engine compartment insulation
Post by: aspenpilot on January 31, 2013, 11:27:27 pm
I agree with John, in that one needs to make sure the materials are able to handle the temperatures experienced in the engine compartment.  Like John, I also have a turbo wrap.  In fact, my wrap starts at the turbo and continues all of the way to the outlet side of the resonator.  Advanced Thermal Products (http://www.atpwrap.com)    As for my engine compartment materials, I got mine from Boat Insulation marine soundproofing noise attenuation vinyl foam boat supplies (http://www.cyber-bridge-marine.com)
Title: Re: engine compartment insulation
Post by: Retired Navy Chief on February 02, 2013, 04:01:43 pm
I had a commercial insulation company remove all old insulation and spray foam insulation.  Don't know cost as I had a large patio covered at same time.  It is now quieter and cooler in bedroom area.

Larry
97 U 270
Jeep GC

Larry, do you know what kind of spray they used?  Thanks,  David