DIY: A/C Insulation

[Lazerdot]

Did all but the area by the pullies. I put aluminum rap around the insulating foam and lightly tie wrapped the total. In my head ity seems cooler. Wish I had done a before after. But, can it hurt?

[andaconda]

If you have your AC on and you’re not running the fan wide open then why run the compressor and make the motor work harder for no reason?

Instead of turning the temp down or up, I'm in the habit of pressing the air "on/off" button so that the compressor will only come on when I want to cool off.

[firebob]

Originally Posted by PatrickJohnson

The cooling was good before, but after doing this mod and driving for about a week, it is a night and day difference.

I’m sure there is a good difference in doing this. I’m just saying that with the car stock it is as good other stock cars that are on the market.

[Sora65]

Yeah im about to do this today. hopefully works out well.
Another question.
for the yaris sedan.. the one i have...

can you insulate passed the tube. like where the pipe line hits the compressor?
It kinda looks like a pain to do. but i like cold :)

[andaconda]

Originally Posted by Sora65

Yeah im about to do this today. hopefully works out well.
Another question.
for the yaris sedan.. the one i have...

can you insulate passed the tube. like where the pipe line hits the compressor?
It kinda looks like a pain to do. but i like cold :)

Mine is the sedan too. It's easy to get to the pipe coming out of the compressor. Look at my second to last photo (on page 5 of this topic) of the pump itself.

[AlexNet0]

so is there a general consensus as to what the insulating material should be? I dont want melting insulation.

[andaconda]

Originally Posted by AlexNet0

so is there a general consensus as to what the insulating material should be? I dont want melting insulation.

As you can see on page 5 - the fifth photo down, I used copper pipe insulation that has about a 3/4 inch inner diameter. The insulation is about another 3/4 inch thick. I then wrapped it with aluminum tape for heat protection from the engine and exhaust manifold.

[AlexNet0]

Originally Posted by andaconda

As you can see on page 5 - the fifth photo down, I used copper pipe insulation that has about a 3/4 inch inner diameter. The insulation is about another 3/4 inch thick. I then wrapped it with aluminum tape for heat protection from the engine and exhaust manifold.

so the heat tape stopped the insulation from melting? I would think that it would still heat up inside, just not as much radiant heat would make it through the tape. Im just worried that the general ambient temperature due to the close proximity to the exhaust manifold will still melt the insulation under the tape.

[firebob]

The aluminum tape will help the heat transfer. With a few layers of wrap it should help spread the heat out.

[yarisugi]

Almost completed this thing except for the alum.wrap near the pulley/engine mount - how
the heck do you wrap that area? I can't get my fingers and tape around there!!

[andaconda]

Originally Posted by yarisugi

Almost completed this thing except for the alum.wrap near the pulley/engine mount - how
the heck do you wrap that area? I can't get my fingers and tape around there!!

I cut out a section of the insulation to go around the mounting brackets and just used short pieces of tape rather that go a continuous wrap. Near the alternator, I didn't bother to wrap it at all.
I also offered a little blood to the 'engine bay gods' and that helped too.

[nth09]

are those aluminum tape the same that we use in the kitchen? Or is it a sticky back tape?

[yarisugi]

^ It feels like aluminum foil that we use in the kitchen, but one side is sticky. That's why it's called aluminum tape.

I think I might have done a little overkill. On the back end, after wrapping with aluminum tape,
I had some Thermo-Tec Heat Shield left over and wrapped some more.
I think the Thermo-Tec can withstand the heat much better than the aluminum tape.
By the way, do you wrap that big bubble like thing in between the tube by the ECU? What is that for?

[PatrickJohnson]

Originally Posted by yarisugi

^ It feels like aluminum foil that we use in the kitchen, but one side is sticky. That's why it's called aluminum tape.

I think I might have done a little overkill. On the back end, after wrapping with aluminum tape,
I had some Thermo-Tec Heat Shield left over and wrapped some more.
I think the Thermo-Tec can withstand the heat much better than the aluminum tape.
By the way, do you wrap that big bubble like thing in between the tube by the ECU? What is that for?

If you read earlier in the thread, i think it's actually the original post, it says you don't have to cover that part, but that it does make a difference if you do. I don't have that part covered on my install, but only because I didn't have large enough material to do so, and i plan on doing it when i get back to the store.

[andaconda]

I hope I didn't open a can of tetanus worms....

[YarisSedan]

The only one thing keeping me from doing this mod. Is every pic i have seen looks way ugly!. I am trying to keep my engine bay looking show quality and clean.

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by YarisSedan

The only one thing keeping me from doing this mod. Is every pic i have seen looks way ugly!. I am trying to keep my engine bay looking show quality and clean.

Instead of aluminum tape, use heat/flame resistant wire loom:

It even comes in blue, red and black.

http://www.summitracing.com/search/?...o%20flex&dds=1

[cali yaris]

Here was a case where the tetanus vaccine made a lot of sense, as the soldiers were in a very hazardous environment with a high chance of contracting the disease. Do today’s children have the same odds?"

hmmm.... you should see my son's room