I took my stock hood insulation off today since it was getting old, nasty, and wet every time it rained. My question is just is it OK to drive without it or should I get some new material to put on a new one?

 

i only have half mine there, since its all torn... engine seems louder, and squeeker than with all the insulation there, but nothing bad will happen

 

I never put mine back on. I think it gut for if fire happens.Not sure.

 

Thanks, I'll just leave it off then.

 

There was a discussion on the board several months ago on a similar topic concerning the hood insulation. Some were saying it isn't needed and others were pointing out the reason that it was needed. Interesting discussion to say the least. It is used (and I know that I will get some feedback on this) as a heat blanket to keep a lot of engine heat away from the hood, it also acts in a round-a-bout way as a noise insulator. The primary reason is to keep engine heat away from the hood and protect it. Some against using it said that it was too heavy as the primary reason for not using it. How come your's is getting wet whenever it rains, mine doesn't!!

 

I'm not exactly sure how it gets wet. I believe that water gets in between the hood and the top of the fender and the hood insulation sucks it up somehow. If it has been raining for a while and I open the hood, the water would start to drip all over the engine compartment. It's not like it's the only leak I have, though . Let's just say I need all new weatherstripping for the doors, T-tops, and hatch area .

 

When I got my car 4 years ago, it was already ripped off by the previous owner. Paint does not seem any worse on the hood than anywhere else on the car.

I always thought it was more for noise insulation than heat insulation myself.