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So I insulated my cargo van with 19mm Armaflex (side panels and roof) which really helps with noise and temp control, but it seems I've gone a bit overboard here and blocked the forced de-ventilation. I searched high and low, but couldn't find it. Every other vehicle I know of has some kind of "flap" type vents, mostly behind the bumpers, which let air out when you close the doors or turn up the blower.
I first noticed that I had whistling sounds from my blower motor, which I first thought that the bearings might go out soon, but as soon as I open the window a bit, the whine ist gone. So it seems I blocked my de-ventilation accidently.
But where the heck do I find it? '98 RB cargo E250 that is.
Wow---if you're developing enough static pressure inside the cabin it's loading the blower motor to that degree---WOW---that's some insulation job.
Does the squeal go away when any window or door is opened----or consistently with just one? If just one then could be a leak there causing the noise.
I've insulated my own E250's similarly to your description and even at full speed my factory front and aftermarket rear heaters don't produce these sorts of noises. To my recollection I don't recall any specific vents or flaps and I've crawled over and under mine quite a bit.
Do I assume correctly this squeal didn't exist before your insulation install?
I'm known for not doing jobs halfway
In fact, as soon as I open any window or door, the squeal is gone. It also wasn't there before the insulation, so I can break it down to that.
I'll add some kind of roof hatch in the future and will look for one with integrated ventilation, but meanwhile I'll have to sort it out somehow.
I wonder if this isn't the blower motor bearings, just coincidental to your insulation over kill? (I personally appreciate that effort BTW---same as I'd do.)
I'd think if you accidentally blocked any exit vents the squeal wouldn't start until the higher blower speed was selected--it seeing back pressure due the higher CFM's being produced.
Since the squeal happens at all speeds AND I'm fairly certain your cabin isn't that air tight at the moment my suspicions are back to the blower motor itself. Removing the blower motor might reveal something---easier said than done but maybe worth the effort?
I don't mean beating this to death but no way are our vans this tight.
I'll dig deeper into this next week, there's a little camping tour ahead to the worlds biggest offroad and outdoor fair, which happens to be just under an hour away from me
On a side note, where do I get those little retainers for the sides of the headliner? They seem not to be reusable and I cannot find them anywhere.
Hi KarstenP,
Google plastic push pin to find information on the retainers. We have them in the stores around here.
Does the squeal stop if you set the system to recirculate? That should close the outside air intake and should change the sound, proof that the outside air vents are blocked. I know on cars, there are plastic grills usually in the door frames for outside ventilation. Most systems today are never truly off, the fan runs on low speed with the system on in any mode.
Great job of insulating, the factory should offer this as an option.
jim
On our vans, the blower runs on low speed when the switch is on the first position, so it only stops when you put the right vent dial to completely off:
The problem with sourcing the retainers is, I'm in Germany and getting parts for an American vehicle is fairly easy when it comes to standard stuff. Getting trim parts is a pain, though. German Ford dealers are useless for anything else than selling wiper blades for a Fiesta
The problem with sourcing the retainers is, I'm in Germany and getting parts for an American vehicle is fairly easy when it comes to standard stuff. Getting trim parts is a pain, though. German Ford dealers are useless for anything else than selling wiper blades for a Fiesta
Those ceiling headliner retainers are a bit elusive, no images or part numbers listed on my favorite clip/fastener site: http://http://www.clipsandfasteners.com/, my printed parts list from 2010 don't show smaller parts like trim fasteners.
That site includes images and pertinent dimensions which you can use to determine which fastener would work best. Here's a representative image: http://www.clipsandfasteners.com/For...r_p/a17381.htm These aren't necessarily what you need---just showing how that online catalog is laid out.
When the van is un-insulated, and the windows are all closed up, I believe at least some of the cabin exhaust air escapes thru the many small holes at the bottom of the van all around the perimeter. These are condensation weep holes that also function as air exhaust.
When you insulated it well, these become blocked since you covered the large openings in the interior walls that allow air to 'funnel' to these smaller holes.
To remedy this I drilled several 1" holes in the plastic insert that holds the rear license plate, screened the holes, used standoffs on the plate itself, and left the area on the inside opposite side of the door carpeted, but un-insulated. Air can flow out thru the loose carpet weave when needed, and air flows in when camped with the roof fan pulling air through.
You may still have a problem with the blower motor thats only showing itself as it tries to 'pressurize' the cabin...
Good idea about the holes in the license plate holder, I'll take that into consideration
It works for me, but just be aware that IF you idle the motor while parked, and sleeping or occupying the cargo area, exhaust from the engine might be able to enter, so be sure to either close it off or turn on the dash ventilation.
Of course, I don't ever sleep with the engine running, but someone might do so in extremely hot or cold temperatures.
The carpet I used on my back door interior panels is an open weave, outdoor carpet, with no rubber backing, but any method and porous material could be used with good success. The main thing is to let air flow through and keep the critters out!
On a side note, where do I get those little retainers for the sides of the headliner? They seem not to be reusable and I cannot find them anywhere.
I added some extra insulation between the headliner and the roof and was able to reuse most of the retainers, but the extra thickness of the material never allowed to really hold.
After years of hearing the roof cracking and squeaking, I was able to thread M8x30 bolts by chamfering the tip so it will fit on the slots of the retainer.
Once you place the slotted tip of the screw, just start screwing and it will self thread. Even my daughters commented that the van felt more solid. Try to find some screws with a nice head and use a big washer.
and blocked the forced de-ventilation. I searched high and low, but couldn't find it. Every other vehicle I know of has some kind of "flap" type vents, mostly behind the bumpers, which let air out when you close the doors or turn up the blower.
(I personally appreciate that effort BTW---same as I'd do.)
dealer only parts.
cabin pressure
