Transmission tunnel insulation replacement - PICS

[MrPolak]

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.

[tencentlife]

Looks nice!

What'd you use to stick it up?
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[1621]

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.
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'85 Westy

[MrPolak]

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.

[the caveman]

Everyone should get rid of that foam. It holds water and rots metal behind it.

[mediaguy99]

[randywebb]

your pics are gone - can you repost them?
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1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.

[vanagonjr]

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!
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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

[candyman]

[Gnarlodious]

Something like this?
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=606406
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Vanagon ’83 diesel AAZ w/Giles injection, 5spd 4.57R&P+TBD.

[GypsyDriver]

Good thread. I'm getting ready to pull my tranny and will have to address this issue. I was looking at this material used in race cars: http://m.summitracing.com/parts/the-14100?seid=sre...Ais18P8HAQ

[Merian]

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?

[madmanvan]

What about not putting anything back? Is that nuts?

I'm doing the rattle trap INSIDE the van for noise reduction.
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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

[pbrown]

How about this?

http://www.gowesty.com/product-details.php?v=&id=24371&type=
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Patrick Brown

1971 Squareback (sold)
1970 Porsche 914 (sold)
1986 Vanagon Syncro Poptop
2006 Jetta TDI
2015 Audi Q5 TDI

[djkeev]

I pulled my insulation out of that area on my 86.

It was a sponge holding moisture against the body.
The rust was only surface so I cleaned it up and painted it.

I did NOT put any back. Insulate inside the Van if you desire to do so.

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

[Merian]

[madmanvan]

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.
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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