6 replies to this topic

[therealtomgunn]

Hi All,

After my mini was stored outside under a cover last winter due to limited garage space, a lot of water managed to find it's way into it. I think the cover was a bit rubbish in the end or a lot of condensation formed under it. Anyway the interior was covered in mould when the car was uncovered, and present rust had got worse and new rust had formed (I'm dealing wih the rust atm). The soundproofing foam in the engine bay on the bulkhead was soggy and was old and perished and crumbling apart. The foam inside the car was even worse, as water had been leaking onto it from the heater from soon after I got the car. I've stripped it all out from inside and replaced it so nice and dry, and the heater's giong to be replaced/fixed when I get the car on the road again. I've also got rid of a lot of it from inside the engine bay as I was a bit concerned that it would cause more rust. I would like to know whether it's really needed in the engine bay or whether it's there just to drown out some of the engine sound, as to be honest I prefer the look of the metal behind the engine. The only problem I'm having is I can'r get to all of it, it's stuck behind a few of the engine components towards the back of the bay, is it recommended I just get in there and yank it out, or would removing some bits and piecesfirst be better?

Cheers,
Tom

[Cooperman]

Most people don't fit soundproofing to the engine compartment side of the bulkhead. Fit some inside and that should be sufficient.

[Brigbeale]

It's not essential - just sound deadening/insulating as you suggested. How effective it is at it's job is anybody's guess. It looks ok when new but as it gets older, it deteriorates and looks horrible. It does retain moisture if it gets wet but the theory would be the heat off the engine would dry it out??? If you don't like it in there and prefer the bare look, then take it out. You may have to move certain items to get it all out. In my opinion, it's a fire risk as it caught fire when the wiper motor wiring overheated when the motor seized on my Mini.

[orac69]

I had the same problem on my '94 SPi.  The engine bay foam / bulkhead insulation had turned to dust so I pulled it all out.   I dont find it much noisier in general BUT I do now get a quite strong smell of petrol inside the cabin.   

 

There is definitely nothing leaking, its not the exhaust, not the fuel tank, breather, fuel cap - it is definitely related to the foam being removed, and I guess because the SPi throttle body is "open" you can see the fuel going down the hole. 

 

Im not entirely sure if Im going to put the engine bay foam back, or put something behind the dash.   I think the latter.  Removing all the wires, wiper motor, fuses etc. would be a pain to get back through new a foam cut out panel.

[fokko]

It's not essential - just sound deadening/insulating as you suggested. How effective it is at it's job is anybody's guess. It looks ok when new but as it gets older, it deteriorates and looks horrible. It does retain moisture if it gets wet but the theory would be the heat off the engine would dry it out??? If you don't like it in there and prefer the bare look, then take it out. You may have to move certain items to get it all out. In my opinion, it's a fire risk as it caught fire when the wiper motor wiring overheated when the motor seized on my Mini.

 

According to Minispares, the original item was made of fireproof material... 

When your engine is stock, I can imagine it doesn't make a lot of difference (it will dampen the induction noise). Not sure if the reproduction Minispares currently have (https://www.minispar...tion-models-rhd) is made of closed cell foam. That would certainly improve the moisture problem. I personally would always want to have sound deadening in the engine bay. Why? Because it reduces the noise before it gets to the metal, reducing it more effectively than when it is at the other side of the metal.

[pete l]

+1 on what fokko says, stopping it before it gets into the cabin is better.

 

You really need MLV for good sound proofing.

[IronmanG]

I'll be spending some time this winter sorting the engine bay and I will be putting some closed cell in mine