Vanagon Soundproofing

[BlueNorthWesty]

I've read a lot about soundproofing the Vanagon. There are products like Fatmat and B-Quiet extreme along with a 'sandwich' of closed-cell foam, MLV (mass loaded vinyl) and denim fibre. Even specialty panels are available with a pre-sandwiched construction and lead core.

I have basic sound deadening (adhesive panels inside doors, on floors, roof, etc), a sandwich layer of foam, MLV and underlay under all the carpeted areas, under the back seat and over the engine compartment. I measured sound levels before and after. The difference in noise volume is minimal. The sound level at 120 km/h (75 mph) is about 92-95 db (down from about 95-100 db). This is not only annoying but can damage hearing from prolonged exposure.

As I see it, the main obstacles to a quiet Westy are lack of aerodynamics, small spaces to apply soundproofing, the fibreglass pop-top roof, and the engine location.

I love my van but the noise at highway speed is almost a deal breaker.

Has anyone had success reducing highway noise with measurable results? I think it would be worthwhile coming up with a list of things that work and expected results. So far it seems like a lot of time a money wasted in my case.
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1984 Medium Blue Vanagon Westfalia 2WD w/ rebuilt Auto, Peloquin differential, 3.27 R&P gears, 2002 Subaru 2.5L engine, Girling G60 front brake upgrade, PS, power mirrors

Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=610481&highlight=

[PDXWesty]

A lot of the noise comes from air through the door and window seals. Best bang for the buck is to replace all the front window rubber. It will really quiet things down.
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[alijonny]

I think a problem we could all be having with the campers is sound bouncing around the inside via panels with no sounds deadening. You sealed the outside of the body on the inside, but you didn't apply anything to the inside where the sounds can bounce around. I wonder if more attention can be paid to bare metal and wooden panels, maybe making covers for the openly paneled areas (sink stove). Think similar to a studio sound room, directed foam cell panels, etc.
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1965 Beetle
1990 Syncro Westfalia
1983 Westfalia

[BlueNorthWesty]

[BlueNorthWesty]

[metropoj]

My issue: Loud as hell with Inline 4 and removing the external matting above the transmission.

I used 2 piece: Second Skin Damplifier pro and then Luxury Liner pro on top of that.

Covered from rear hatch to the floor behind the rear seat.

It was a huge difference in noise trapping. I plan to move forward now in the cabin to reduce more road noise, etc..

I stuck any over cut pieces into the front nose area and inside the body panels to reduce the resonance. Not a piece is wasted.

I was very leery that this stuff would help but I got no major complaints on our recent 3k mile trip from any of the family. It was worth the money to use the right stuff for your noise issue.
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John.
86 TiiCo powered Westy.

[newfisher]

I used Linex spray in bedliner over the entire roof section then top coated with base/clear. Huge improvement.

Also have Fat mat everywhere. Under all carpet, behind all panels etc. Remeber to tilt any product that you stick to the inner panels so water and moisture drain away. Dont leave a ledge for rust to start forming.

[Yondermtn]

I haven't even attempted any sound deadening with my Vanagon.
As mentioned, it seems that the wind noise is what creates the most problems. My '90 has good door seals and I'm not sure what could be improved there.
My first two cars were a '71 and '73 Bronco and each of those had much worse wind and road noise and many rattles. Then I moved onto a '00 Wrangler and that was a drastic improvement over the Broncos but still has some wind noise especially above 45mph.

The Vanagon is comparable to the Jeep. It would be nice to reduce the noise further but I think the shape of these things limits what can be done. I notice quite a big difference in overall noise depending on wind direction.
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1977 Westfalia 2.0FI 4spd
1990 Multivan 2.1 Auto

[PDXWesty]

Not sure if it's possible to really gather any meaningful data on the subject given the range of variables, but as a reference point, I did take some sound readings inside the van one day at freeway speeds: 78db seemed to be about the average sound level.

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89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[BlueNorthWesty]

[SteveMc]

I have recorded similar dB readings at highway speeds as BlueNorthWesty; 90 to 95. But here's the thing, I drive a single cab. So no pop top and no cavern to bounce sound around. I think you are on the right track with door seals. And Idaho Doug mentioned he noticed improvement when he replaced the foam seals on the heater box.
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1986 Transporter Single Cab Syncro

[djkeev]

After I renewed my window seals and installed reflectix for the tunnel heat abatement, my Van is noticeably quieter, but this is coming from a guy who was 4f'd during the Vietnam war for hearing loss!

Dave
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Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[TheArmand]

I think if you're going through the effort of laying these various sound deadening materials, it's an absolute must to also use Vanistans fresh air recirc kit (http://vanistan.com/Vanistan/other_accessories.html). Completely blocking out the air rushing into the heater box directly underneath the dash made quite a discernible difference. I haven't measured db's, but if all your soundproofing efforts made a 3db difference, I'd imagine this Vanistan kit to give you another 2-3db reduction easily. Plus, no more air flying through your vents without your control!

[jimf909]

[sandcough]

Where can we get those foam blocks? Also trying to find a source for the strips that are screwed into the front edge of the front doors in later models.
I have my engine noise mostly under control with Second Skin products but road and wind noise while better are still an issue. I can converse with someone in the passenger seat no problem but talking to some one in the rear while on the highway takes effort.
Things I eventually want to do:
Put some soundproofing fabric on the underside of the pop top.
Block the fresh air vent
Install something in the luggage rack to reduce turbulence
Install RMW drawers under the front seats and cram a bunch of soundproofing in there whole doing it.
Wheel liners with some sound proofing installed on them

[BlueNorthWesty]

[flomulgator]

Wow some great ideas in here I've never heard of before!
I second the "new seals" bit. I changed out a decrepit passenger window seal and it had as much or more of an effect than all my other soundproofing combined.
Also, I'd add that when I had my transmission out for syncro fuel tank service I found I had some rust to address up in there. After treating that (another topic) and priming I added rubberized undercoating to the whole area. Surprisingly it reduced my engine noise a bit!
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She's built like a steakhouse, but she handles like a bistro!

[sandcough]

[BlueNorthWesty]

[Merian]