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Topic: engine insulation (Read 691 times) previous topic - next topic

engine insulation

We recently completed a 1300 mile trip from Louisiana to Wisconsin.  Yesterday I was doing a post trip inspection and found part of the upper insulation had fallen away from the top of the engine compartment (the bottom of the bed)  and is laying on top of the upper part of the engine.  Continuing the inspection, I found the same thing in the generator compartment - The left side of the upper portion of the insulation had fallen and is laying on the top left of the generator.
1. Is the fact that this is happening concerning?
2. Should I just cut and remove the areas that have fallen?
3. Other than possibly increased noise in the coach, are there any other things I should expect or problems which could occur from the partial loss of insulation?
Thanks,
Kearn
Kearn
'92 U300 40 ft.  WTBI  6V-92  #4130
GMC Yukon toad
'08 Casita Spirit Deluxe 17ft

Re: engine insulation

Reply #1 –
1.  Not concerning, the material has a limited life and it's life is up.  I was told it no longer does a very good job of absorbing and blocking sound when it starts to crumble and fall apart.
2.  Yes, does no good to leave it there and can only cause problems at this point.  Some people just cover it up with some thinner insulation material but I think it's best to remove and replace.  If you just cover it, it will only get worse with time and then it will need to be redone again later.
3.  No, but the crumbling material if not removed can clog radiators and air filters if it's bad.  You also don't want any of it falling down on the hot turbo and exhaust system.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: engine insulation

Reply #2 –
Kearn, I just finished removing that crumbling old black insulation so maybe I can help answer some of your concerns.
Behind the insulation on the passenger side and toward the foot of the bed the walls have sheet metal on them.
My insulation crumbled and ended up mixing with oily fumes and totally blocked the engine side of the radiator. It took five cans of engine cleaner, a pressure washer--230PSI (and the radiator fins did not bend) along with a leaf blower from the rear access.

The old insulation has mechanical fasteners and adhesive. Easy to remove. Just use a cordless drill, a #2 square bit, a 12' wide paint edger as a scraper, and a std putty knife. I did use a keyhole saw to work the insulation loose above our intake box. You will also need large, strong plastic bags and a large garbage can. The old insulation is amazingly heavy!!
Be very careful!! There are any number of pointed screws sticking thru into the old insulation. I ground them flush with my 4.5" grinder wherever possible.

I replaced the old insulation with EZ Cool insulation. Others on this Foreforum have used their product. Very easy to install, with total cost around $130 for everything. I did two layers on everything but under the bed and above our rear radiator. I added 4" wide strips around the outside of the angle iron under the bed. Sure cut down on the noise escaping over the rubber seal. On all the other pieces I used 3M #77 spray adhesive plus fender washers and screws. I do like mechanical fastening in addition to glue, especially above the engine. Just be sure you don't run the screws thru the plywood--you will wreck the bottom side of the mattress!!
Out of two 4'x10' sheets I ended up with one piece of 4'x4' and scraps. I plan on using the 4'x4' piece to line the generator compartment.
By the way, two sheets of 4'x10'x3/16 insulation, four 10' long x 4" wide aluminum tape plus shipping from Texas came to $97 and arrived here in Wisconsin--express regular mail delivery--within three days.

Am I happy with the results?? Very much so!! Looks great, Seems a bit quieter(not a lot, but some) and relieves my concern re the powder causing problems.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: engine insulation

Reply #3 –
Here is a link to my post from last summer...a lot of us have tackled this project. I still had my generator to complete this summer
Jeff

Engine bay insulation
Jeff & Carrie
2023 Geneva 31VA
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED "The Button Pusher" - GONE 🥺

Re: engine insulation

Reply #4 –
Quote
My insulation crumbled and ended up mixing with oily fumes and totally blocked the engine side of the radiator. 
I too had the same experience with a rear radiator 93 model. The insulation deteriorated and stuck to and penetrated the radiator. Had been caked on for awhile and was very difficult to clean up. I did not experience any cooling issues but probably would have if I had not addressed the issue. If you don't want to remove the current stuff you can do as others have and just cover it. Might even be a better choice for noise reduction. Good luck.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: engine insulation

Reply #5 –
Oh, forgot to mention this time. I took a 4'x6' plastic tarp and stapled it to two 1"x3" pieces (just long enough to slide in over the radiator from the rear and just short of the insulation at the foot of the bed). The 4' width was just right to cover the engine left to right and the 6'  I folded back to create a "pocket" to catch any falling insulation parts. I spread the tarp from the rear of the coach using the wood to do the positioning so the engine and almost everything else was covered. I did cover the trans cooler radiator over by the driver's side access hatch with a piece of cardboard cut to fit just in case any insulation fell over there.
Everything worked out real well. Insulation that I didn't catch fell thru onto the driveway and I was able to use my leafblower to blow everything clean after removing everything I could take down by hand.
Nice and clean now, taped all the seams and bottom edges so water can't get in.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD
 

Re: engine insulation

Reply #6 –
And here's even more info...Engine Insulation
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho