Hood insulation, is it really necessary? Options

[6thcelestial]

So back in Nov a family of mice moved into the insulation under the hood. The car was in storage for a short time with a cover on it. Next time I took the car cover off and propped the hood, I noticed something move to the back corner. I tapped the insulation, and the mice started to drop out, and one even came out the front of the hood and jumped over my shoulder. They did no chew up to much of the insulation, but the pee smell is still really strong in the lining itself. I now leave the hood up all the time and have taken a lot of measures to keep them out. I want to just axe the insulation piece all together. Wondering if it really would hurt to take out and leave out. I hate mice! Thanks

This post has been edited by 6thcelestial: Jun 1, 2016 - 5:14 AM

[RoadRage]

its not really necessary, there are stories out there of people having them off for years and years in hot and cold weather with no bad affects,
I heard its mainly there for sound suppression, so the engine might sound a little bit louder with it off

[cheela]

ditch it. weight reduction. I've seen some get old and brittle and droop. seems more like a hazard that anything. lol

[CelicaDICE]

My Celica has not had a Hood insulation for nearly two decades and its still fine and rust free.

[Box]

Hood insulation is just for noise suppression and to help keep the hood from getting hot to the touch via the engine, in your case I'd just rip it off while wearing gloves and have the shop vac and some cleaning supplies on hand for any left over mess.

This post has been edited by Box: Jun 1, 2016 - 1:19 PM

[richee3]

It's actually fire suppression. The other benefits are just side benefits. Keep it if you can, but it won't ruin anything to get rid of it.

[trdproven]

haven't used it since I bought it in 2005

[Bitter]

I doubt it's effective as fire suppression, those things smoulder when given open flame and will actually continue to do so after the flame is gone, not to mention they soak up oil like a sponge too....

[richee3]

I doubt it's effective as fire suppression, those things smoulder when given open flame and will actually continue to do so after the flame is gone, not to mention they soak up oil like a sponge too....

Their job is to choke the fire. Not even a little bit effective unless the fire is on the highest point of your engine. The fire melts the plastic tabs that hold it up, the liner drips down and chokes out the fire if it's on top of the engine and slows the spread of the fire from the engine bay. Not the most effective system in the world but every little bit helps, I suppose.

[Bitter]

I really doubt that. Most engine fires are on exhaust or wiring, neither of those are really ontop of the engine. By the time there's enough heat in enough places to melt enough of the plastic clips enough for it to fall onto the engine the fire would be so bad that the insulator would do nothing. I've seen engine fires in person, that hood liner doesn't work like that. It's strictly for noise abatement, not even for dampening heat on the hood.

[cheela]

probably be better as an emergency blanket in case you're stuck in the wild.

[PegGTS]

probably be better as an emergency blanket in case you're stuck in the wild.

Yeah I just casually carry my hood insulator with me when I go camping

[955SFE]

Had mine off for 3 years now. No issues.

[msk59]

I would like to install one if I can find brand new one.

[Bitter]

I doubt you'll find a new one and there's better materials out there now a days with foil reflective layers for over the manifold area, if you're into that.

[msk59]

I have seen some reflective stuff at Home Depot that you use for insulation but have not searched for a particular one for hot areas. Do you know of any?

[Box]

http://store.secondskinaudio.com/thermal-insulation-mats/

[msk59]

thanks Box. i will check it out.

[6thcelestial]

Thanks everybody for your help.

[njccmd2002]

Voted most active topic in ages