Author |
Message |
MrPolak Samba Member

Joined: June 20, 2004 Posts: 1124 Location: AG ,atnaltA
|
Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 5:53 pm Post subject: Transmission tunnel insulation replacement - PICS |
|
|
If your Westfalia is over 20 years of age, I recommend you have a look at the insulation above the transmission in the "transmission tunnel", for lack of better words.
You may find something like this:
That is a sagging mess of old, cracked backing and disintegrating foam which has lost much of its usefulness. When you pull it out it will look like this:
Next time you do a clutch or a job that requires for the trans or the engine to come out, you may want to consider to replace that mess with something a little more effective. I chose aluminized Refletix 25'' x 16' "bubble" insulation that comes in rolls.
After I pulled out the old insulation in pieces I put the puzzle back together to get a good idea of the size I needed to fit:
I used aluminium tape to seal the folds and to give it a finished look. I also cleaned the transmission tunnel area. It was remarkably clean with only some glue residue and minor dust.
When I finished it looked like this:
I also added a few patches of sound insulating material behind Reflectix. This should do a better job of keeping the heat from the transmission away from the passenger compartment, and do a decent job of suppressing the noise. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
tencentlife Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2006 Posts: 9995 Location: Abiquiu, NM, USA
|
Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:46 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Looks nice!
What'd you use to stick it up? _________________ See innovative Vanagon accessories at the Vanistan shop:
https://intrepidoverland.com/vanistan/
Please don't PM here, I will not reply.
Hmmm, provincial much?:
Quote: |
"I wouldn't go much on whats written on the samba, they love a "theory" and rarely ask any Europeans what is actually correct." |
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
1621 Samba Member

Joined: May 15, 2006 Posts: 2174
|
Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Very nice work! I did something similar, but not quite as thorough as you. I had an additional sheet of Motor Mat Pro from a different project that I used. http://www.secondskinaudio.com/thermal-insulation/motor-mat-pro.php I simply took some measurements, trimmed to fit, and put it over the existing insulation. It tucks nicely under the wires holding the original stuff in place. It does make a bit of difference (not scientifically tested), and keeps things clean. Also, you don't need to remove the transaxle to put it in place. _________________ '85 Westy |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
MrPolak Samba Member

Joined: June 20, 2004 Posts: 1124 Location: AG ,atnaltA
|
Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 5:21 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks!
The material is held up in place with original wires that clip into place - if you look at the "old" pictures you can see them.
I think the Second Skin material has better noise absorbing properties. If It were available to me I would have used it along with Reflectix.
FYI, I folded the Reflectix material in half and taped it for a thicker application. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
the caveman Samba Member
Joined: August 09, 2004 Posts: 885 Location: island state of Montreal
|
Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 10:40 am Post subject: |
|
|
Everyone should get rid of that foam. It holds water and rots metal behind it. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
mediaguy99 Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2011 Posts: 46 Location: Boulder, CO
|
Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2013 2:49 pm Post subject: "Everyone should get rid of that foam" |
|
|
Quote: |
Everyone should get rid of that foam. It holds water and rots metal behind it. |
Which product are you talking about? |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
randywebb Samba Member

Joined: February 15, 2005 Posts: 3815 Location: Greater Metropolitan Nimrod, Orygun
|
Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2013 4:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
your pics are gone - can you repost them? _________________ 1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
vanagonjr Samba Member

Joined: October 07, 2010 Posts: 2843 Location: Dartmouth, Mass.
|
Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 5:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hoping someone can provide some direction, or alternatives (especially since the pictures are gone). My engine and tranny are (still) out and I just noticed how bad my insulation looks.
I'd like to know what people have successfully used as options and how it was held in.
Thanks! _________________ John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed
LiMBO (late model bus club) www.limbobus.org
LiMBO is on Facebook too! https://www.facebook.com/groups/
FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798 |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
candyman Samba Trout Slayer

Joined: December 20, 2003 Posts: 2577 Location: Missoula MT
|
Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 8:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
vanagonjr wrote: |
Hoping someone can provide some direction, or alternatives (especially since the pictures are gone). My engine and tranny are (still) out and I just noticed how bad my insulation looks.
I'd like to know what people have successfully used as options and how it was held in.
Thanks! |
I have a set of the original wires that held the insulation in place. They are in great condition no rust. Pm me if you are interested in them |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Gnarlodious  Samba Member

Joined: September 28, 2013 Posts: 1921 Location: Adobe Jungle USA
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
GypsyDriver Samba Member
Joined: November 06, 2012 Posts: 190 Location: Columbus, GA
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Merian Samba Member

Joined: January 04, 2014 Posts: 5103 Location: Orygun
|
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 11:30 am Post subject: |
|
|
there is a place that specializes in custom fab of heat and sound insulation panels - forget the name but they mostly do stuff for the Detroit hotrod market
worth a search - somebody could even ask for bulk pricing and do a resale
what does GoWesty do when they refurb a Van? |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
madmanvan Samba Member

Joined: December 20, 2010 Posts: 139 Location: Louisville
|
Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 4:52 pm Post subject: Re: Transmission tunnel insulation replacement - PICS |
|
|
What about not putting anything back? Is that nuts?
I'm doing the rattle trap INSIDE the van for noise reduction. _________________ Madmanvan
1967 Bus turned Westy
1985 Vanagon Weekender (SOLD)
1971 Super Beetle
2017 Golf AllTrack
2015 Golf TDI pollution machine (SOLD back to VW)
Current Build: '67 Kombi goes Westy
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8343416#8343416 |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
pbrown Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2008 Posts: 358 Location: Seattle, WA
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
djkeev  Samba Moderator

Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 25750 Location: North West New Jersey
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Merian Samba Member

Joined: January 04, 2014 Posts: 5103 Location: Orygun
|
Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 5:50 pm Post subject: Re: Transmission tunnel insulation replacement - PICS |
|
|
madmanvan wrote: |
What about not putting anything back? Is that nuts?
... |
not at all - it's in the back and there will be plenty of wind noise to drown it out
the foil material above is mainly for heat |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
madmanvan Samba Member

Joined: December 20, 2010 Posts: 139 Location: Louisville
|
Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 6:57 am Post subject: Re: Transmission tunnel insulation replacement - PICS |
|
|
I'm going to call my style "zen": I'd like to delete anything that isn't 100% necessary. I can live with a little extra noise at the benefit of not having anything hold moisture against metal.
Same with the rear heater delete: the idea of coolant running into a relatively hidden spot in the van is nuts to me.
The front heater I guess I gotta have for defrost, but also doesn't seem as bad of a design - and I'll know sooner if it is leaking. The sweet smell of hot coolant.
The AC that a PO had begun to delete, I've finished and now my radiator area looks nice and tidy. _________________ Madmanvan
1967 Bus turned Westy
1985 Vanagon Weekender (SOLD)
1971 Super Beetle
2017 Golf AllTrack
2015 Golf TDI pollution machine (SOLD back to VW)
Current Build: '67 Kombi goes Westy
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8343416#8343416 |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|