Exhaust heat wrap
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2006
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Exhaust heat wrap
i am installing a new motor in my van. i would like to wrap the Exhaust manifolds before installing them with heat wrap tape... i would also like to wrap the header pipes down to the CAT Converter...my question is....will wraping the exhaut have a negative efect on the O-2 senser and CAT..????
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
will probably shorten life of the O2 sensor....they get hot with normal exhaust
may cause element in CAT to break or crack
use one of the foil insulating panels on the floor to reduce interior heat
may cause element in CAT to break or crack
use one of the foil insulating panels on the floor to reduce interior heat
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,015
Likes: 208
From: SoCal
It'll probably shorten the life of the manifold as well, unless you can insulate the inside of the passages as well. But then, as 96 says, the heat load ends up down stream, where everything else will get overheated.
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
I really wouldn't worry about wrapping it. The idea is not to keepthe heat inside the system, but rather to protect something else, like say an accessory that might be near the exhuast or to keep the heat off fuel lines. These problems do not apply to Aerostars so why bother?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,642
Likes: 6
From: Northern California
Sicde, I have used the Thermo-Tec wrap on my Aerostar (3.0 V6), it has worked beautifully. No problems, and the wrap still looks fine. I installed it in the Spring of 97.
My reason for using it was I did not like how the one exhaust pipe crossed over the transmission. I wanted to protect the trans and starter from unnecessary exhaust heat. Actually, by insulating the pipes, you are making the heat transfer properties work more efficiently. Kind of the reason you wrap a hot water heater. You don't have to, but it is beneficial.
I have driven my Aerostar every year, in 109 degree CALIF. summer heat. The exhaust wrap cuts down under hood heat and floorboard heat noticeably. I have had no exhaust system problems.
The only thing I did was not cover the O2 sensor, and I did not cover the cats. Everything else is wrapped to the muffler, and about 12" from the muffler outlet, with the remaining material I had left over.
If you want any more tidbits on the procedure, let me know.
Ed
My reason for using it was I did not like how the one exhaust pipe crossed over the transmission. I wanted to protect the trans and starter from unnecessary exhaust heat. Actually, by insulating the pipes, you are making the heat transfer properties work more efficiently. Kind of the reason you wrap a hot water heater. You don't have to, but it is beneficial.
I have driven my Aerostar every year, in 109 degree CALIF. summer heat. The exhaust wrap cuts down under hood heat and floorboard heat noticeably. I have had no exhaust system problems.
The only thing I did was not cover the O2 sensor, and I did not cover the cats. Everything else is wrapped to the muffler, and about 12" from the muffler outlet, with the remaining material I had left over.
If you want any more tidbits on the procedure, let me know.
Ed
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,642
Likes: 6
From: Northern California
PS Nothing in the exhaust system will overheat. Thermo-Tec has tested their wrap on exhaust headers glowing cherry red with heat, for over 3 hours. The wrap does not hurt the headers, and the wrap holds up under those insane heat conditions.
Unless your Aerostar exhaust system glows cherry red with overheating, you have nothing to worry about.
Ed
Unless your Aerostar exhaust system glows cherry red with overheating, you have nothing to worry about.
Ed
