16 replies to this topic

[kingwowns]

Basically the heater pipe runs from the engine down a bare metal pipe in the plastic sill, outside the chassis - plenty of scope for heat loss in sub-zero temperatures...so I decided to insulate it.

Cost - £5, scratched arms, some swearing (but not too much tbh)

Photos in order of work - (basic description at end of each link)

Rear wheel off and pull back wheelarch liner -


Drivers sill off...GENTLY!!! -


You can see the uninsulated pipe located to the left, within the cavity -


This is the unclad pipe as it leaves the engine bay by the rear wheel -


There are two white foam blocks in the sill cavity. They're about an inch thick and as far as I can see, do sod all mechanical. Remove the one to the rear (you should be able to reach) and you can see all the way along the sill cavity -


Wrap preformed foam around the pipe, starting at the dash end -


I then packed the cavity loosely with glass fibre -


Get a half metre length of the pipe wrap and get it started on the pipe, then push it towards the front of the car, making sure the foam progressively clips on as you push it...that way you can get the entire length of the pipe covered. Quite a tight fit with your hand and foam in there! -


I then fed more glass fibre down the sill before putting the white foam block back. You have to widen the original gap spacing so that it can accommodate the pipe now it is clad in foam -


A new length of foam can now be added to the final stretch of pipe (same method as before) -

Edited by techieboy, 28 November 2011 - 02:21 PM.
Tidying up the image links

[kingwowns]

Finally, pack more fibreglass in the cavity until it protrudes from the sill cavity -


There's some discussion on whether the glass fibre will hold moisure, but out of all the positions taken it's evenly split, with a marginal majority on the side of that it shouldn't be a problem. If in doubt, just use the foam lagging.

In any case, I'm going to check a few times through the winter to see if it still looks ok and will post if I have any concerns.

Cheers!

Edited by techieboy, 28 November 2011 - 02:21 PM.
Tidying up the image links

[GiGo]

Looks like a great idea, but what about in the summer? Won't it get a little toasty? Well if we ever have a decent summer anyway

[ArticMonkey]

Looks like a great idea, but what about in the summer? Won't it get a little toasty? Well if we ever have a decent summer anyway

Take the soft top off and shut your vents?

[jonnyboy]

Pipe lagging on cars love it. Remind me why we put up with these ridiculous plastic cars again? lol

[kingwowns]

Looks like a great idea, but what about in the summer? Won't it get a little toasty? Well if we ever have a decent summer anyway

The hot water is always circulating from the engine, thru the heater matrix and back out. Therfore, nothing has changed - spin the dial to "cold" and you're bypassing the heater and getting fresh air from outside, just like now.

The only change is that in sub zero temps, the cold air isn't robbing all the heat from the pipe before it gets a chance to warm the matrix and ultimately you!

[Tom220SC]

Pipe lagging on cars love it. Remind me why we put up with these ridiculous plastic cars again? lol

[2.2_na]

Remind me why we put up with these ridiculous plastic cars again?

Better than some boring old car made out of metal.

[Big Steve]

Pipe lagging on cars love it. Remind me why we put up with these ridiculous plastic cars again? lol

And next week in our "How To.." series: Cavity door insulation and tiling the boot compartment...

[kingwowns]

I love how once you get the trim off, you can see that the chassis is glued together with jam!

[2-20]

Looks like a great idea, but what about in the summer? Won't it get a little toasty? Well if we ever have a decent summer anyway

Install a heater core bypass valve in the boot.

http://www.lotustalk...y-wa-how-26740/

[JG]

[kingwowns]

Bumped to advise - DON'T USE THE GLASS FIBRE - It soaks up moisture over time and becomes sodden - It's all been taken out now.

 

Foam lagging is fine though, and as the hot water permanently circulates through the pipe no moisture should build up.

 

Well you live and learn eh?  Doesn't look like it's increased the corrosion during the interim, so all good!

[fezzasus]

There's also the fact that the heater pipes are too hot to touch even at the return point, so it's clearly not a problem with the pipes losing heat, simply that the heater is unable to transfer that heat to the air.

[kingwowns]

Good point - At the time we kicked this idea around, it looked like it was worth a shot. However, sealing the heater and under the dash plus new heater pipe into the cabin prob made the biggest difference!

[KurtVerbose]

Having a decent heater makes the difference, either the fezzasus one, or the more up-market and exclusive KurtVerbose heater.

[kingwowns]

Yup - I did the original mods back in the stone-age when aftermarket heaters were a mere dream!