hot cooling lines (Page 1/2)
itzikbns JUN 15, 10:40 AM
Hi,
My 86 SE, 2.8L has isolation foam on the hot cooling pipes that runs under the car to the front, they look bad and I like to take them off. my understanding is that the isolation is to prevent heat from entering the cabinet, and if so, I can put isolation material between the lines and the floor, I belive it might be even better for the coolent heat dissipation if I take off the pipes isolation. I feel that I am missing something.... please advice
Yellow-88 JUN 15, 11:06 AM
Hi

No you aren't missing anything. Naked tubes are "radiators" so they may warm the cabin a tiny bit but ...... is that an issue?
In really hot climates one needs all the cooling one can get.
1985 Fiero GT JUN 15, 12:32 PM
That specific insulation is there for a good reason, that is on the heater core feed pipe, to keep the coolant hot on its long trip to the cabin heater. If heater performance is not necessary, don't worry about removing it, otherwise, just leave it. I don't know how much it actually effects coolant temperature.
olejoedad JUN 15, 02:47 PM

quote
Originally posted by itzikbns:

Hi,
My 86 SE, 2.8L has isolation foam on the hot cooling pipes that runs under the car to the front, they look bad and I like to take them off. my understanding is that the isolation is to prevent heat from entering the cabinet, and if so, I can put isolation material between the lines and the floor, I belive it might be even better for the coolent heat dissipation if I take off the pipes isolation. I feel that I am missing something.... please advice



The lines running next to the fuel tank are not coolant lines.

The pair on the driver's side are for the air-conditioning, the pair on the passenger side are for the heater core.
theogre JUN 15, 03:28 PM
Removing rotted insulation w/o replacing can heat the fuel tank cause problems w/ that.

Heated fuel tank means more fumes force out & EVAP canister etc may not trap enough of those fumes & wave bye bye to fuel money.

Likely can replace w/ high density close foam plumping insulation but often the big box stores don't have.

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

itzikbns JUN 15, 05:43 PM
Thanks all for all your fruitful and provisional inputs, I need to evaluate what's needed in case of taking them of (heat protection for the fuel tank and cabinet), I think the cost in the cabinet heat lost is not critical since I leave in a relatively warm weather country

Does you cars still has it? is there safe way of replacing the pipes isolation or it's a too risky job?
olejoedad JUN 15, 06:01 PM
Replacing the insulation requires:

Car in the air
Remove spaceframe reinforcement plate
Remove brackets ( 2 per side)
Pull lines down to gain access
Remove and replace insulation
Reverse procedure

Don't get too crazy handling the lines when doing the insulation.
The less they are moved, better.
theogre JUN 15, 10:15 PM
depending on year & engine may need to remove more things to drop the lines.
Example: 84-87 heater have a small plastic hold metal lines just before meets the hoses to h-core. Another on back.
Worse, many have a "clip joint" in back similar to 87-88 4cyl input manifold that often gets pissed "just looking wrong" @ it & leaks or fails requiring replacement parts likely hard to find so many are force to bypass w/ straight hose.

see https://web.archive.org/web...erocave/heatmelt.htm
Works same but "Straight thru" connecting.

Likely "Best" insulation here in slotted type that have attach glue to self seal without a lot of stress for the pipes.
But that's for standard sizes to fit. Heater is ~ 3/4"/19mm outside so that should work but maybe not for AC lines.

Want HD Close Foam so keeps road crap out & better insulation for a given size.
itzikbns JUN 18, 12:49 PM
spaceframe reinforcement plate - which plate is that? where is it?
olejoedad JUN 18, 01:00 PM

quote
Originally posted by itzikbns:

spaceframe reinforcement plate - which plate is that? where is it?



It is the big bowtie shaped plate under the middle of the gas tank. 4 bolts, 13mm heads