DIY: A/C Insulation

[auxmike]

Is this a safe practice?
If so, why did'nt Toyota do it in the first place?
Wonder if that foam could MELT with the heat under that hood.....

[texkid]

Originally Posted by auxmike

Is this a safe practice?
If so, why did'nt Toyota do it in the first place?
Wonder if that foam could MELT with the heat under that hood.....

-Is it safe? I dunno. I am assuming as long as it doesn't come in contact with the belt or other moving parts, it'll be ok.

-Why Toyota didn't do this? Heck if I know. Costs? Research? Maybe they thought 50-degrees was enough? One thing I do know is that "most" of the domestic cars I've seen have the rubber hoses. I think maybe aluminum pipes last longer than rubber hoses?

-Melting foam? Probably not. That PCV line is foam as well and in some places comes in closer contact to the heat of the engine.

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by auxmike

Is this a safe practice?
If so, why did'nt Toyota do it in the first place?
Wonder if that foam could MELT with the heat under that hood.....

I was thinking the same thing. There are high temp and ultra high temp pipe insulations, but they are pricey.

Polyethylene pipe insulation (which is the kind you get at home improvement centers) is only rated to 180F or 200F.

Silicone pipe insulation is rated for 500F, mineral wool can handle 800F, Flexible ceramic at 1500F, etc. McMaster-Carr has a wide selection of industrial pipe insulation.

The other issue besides temp rating is fire rating (ASTM E84 rating). We ran into an issue UL testing a battery pack because of insufficient rating on the closed cell foam we were using the keep the batteries from banging around.

[texkid]

Originally Posted by CTScott

I was thinking the same thing. There are high temp and ultra high temp pipe insulations, but they are pricey.

Polyethylene pipe insulation (which is the kind you get at home improvement centers) is only rated to 180F or 200F.

Silicone pipe insulation is rated for 500F, mineral wool can handle 800F, Flexible ceramic at 1500F, etc. McMaster-Carr has a wide selection of industrial pipe insulation.

The other issue besides temp rating is fire rating (ASTM E84 rating). We ran into an issue UL testing a battery pack because of insufficient rating on the closed cell foam we were using the keep the batteries from banging around.

Hmmm....

At what temperature does the engine block reach when its running at normal range?

On the packaging, that the foam covers came in, it states that it is safe for temperatures as high as 212*F.

If I need better insulation, that's fine with me. I am willing to make a compromise and pay a little more so long as I am guaranteed that it'll keep the A/C cold.