Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Engine blanket

[Huskerman]

I have been looking at the engine blanket being offered by Advanced Thermal Products (www.atpwrap.com). I am interested in it because my wife hates the "noise" and they claim it significantly reduces engine noise. I am concerned about the affect an engine blanket has on engine temp. I live in Boise where it regularly breaks 100 F in the summer, and I would think that putting a blanket on the engine could cause heat problems. Anybody have any thoughts?



Shawn

 

[jerrethomas]

i would say it would be cheaper for you to get her a set of ear muffs to put on. another benifit would be you wouldn't have to hear the :-{} all the time. j/k sorry couldn't resist

 

[Huskerman]

LOL!!



Shawn

 

[rashwor]

Huskerman...

I share your thoughts about the heat. I don't know that it would have an ill effect, but I don't think I would run one and take the chance. Mine runs hot enough as it is.



Just my 0. 02.

 

[Lsfarm]

No Problem with heat

Hi Huskerman, I'm The Noise Nazi. You will have zero problems with heat from covering your valve cover with a blanket.



I have a blanket or layer of foam on the valve cover, engine block sides, and oil pan. I have zero heat issues even when towing, and I use an electirc fan instead of the engine driven fan. This is towing about 8500# in 95+ heat in the midwest, relatively flat ground.



Our engine is cooled by the radiator, not by air flow over the engine itself. If your radiator is clean, you could completely mummify the engine and it would not overheat.



Do a search for 'noise reduction' and you will find several threads on the subject.



The ATPWrap products are real quality items, but pricey. I prefered to make my own blankets and system of noise reduction modifications.



Do a Search for 'superfoam' and 'GSI soundstop' those should get you to the latest threads on noise reduction.



With all my noise reduction mods, I can converse at normal levels at freeway speeds, and enjoy a drive down a tree-lined country road with the windows down. I can order food at most drive through windows, but not all.



My truck is no-way as quiet as the new '03's, but it's measured noise levels are about half way between an '01 and an '03. This means it is about half as noisy as it used to be.



Hope this helps, Greg L The Noise Nazi

 

[Sageair]

Dittos to what LSFarm said. I live just south of you Huskerman in Winnemucca. I have a 2" thick blanket of SuperSoundproofing that covers the entire engine compartment from fenderwell to fenderwell and from cowling to radiatior. I have towed a six horse steel trailer full of furniture to Phoenix in the summer and only heard the fan run once hen I was climbing out of Boulder Dam. The temp gauge in the console showed 114 F OAT.

 

[tvictor]

I think there are two aspects to operating temperature that should be considered. One is coolant temperature and the other is oil temperature. I would agree there is adequate capacity in the glycol based cooling system to handle any thermal loading, whether the engine is physically covered with insulating blankets or not. However, I would speculate the engine oil will operate at an elevated temperature with the addition of acoustical insulation blankets because they, of course, also serve as thermal insulation.



The problem with higher oil temps is the oil oxidation life decreases as oil temperature increases. For example, when the oil temp increases from 160 F to 180 F, the oxidation life is reduced about 50%. Oil oxidation leads to the accelerated formation of acids, varnish & sludge within the crankcase, as well as an increase in viscosity. (From Noria Corporation, a company specializing in machinery lubrication and oil analysis www.noria.com)



So the question becomes, how tolerant is the Cummins Turbo Diesel of oil oxidation? Probably very tolerant.



But in order to expect no decrease in engine life, I think specific measures would be advisable:

-An engine oil temperature gauge to determine if there is any actual increase in oil temp.

-More frequent oil changes.

-A switch to synthetic engine oil because synthetics are more resistant to oxidation at higher temps than mineral oils.



I don't pretent to be an expert on lubrication issues but have learned a few interesting things on the subject over the last while and thought they may be of use to yourself and other TDR members. Everyone needs to make their own decision, and hopefully that decision is based on good and complete information.



For me, I decided to use noise barrier materials inside the cab to reduce engine sound levels about 40%, without the need for engine blankets. I. m quite happy with the result (so is the wife) and personally like the idea of keeping the engine oil as cool as possible. There's a thread called "interior noise reduction" out there that describes my specific modifications.



Good luck with your project!