Engine Cover Insulation

[Christa Griffin]

Engine Insulation and Overheating

We have added 1" engine cover insulation to our 2001 Catalina 320 for noise reduction. Has anyone done this and experienced any engine overheating after installation? We purchased 1" insulation from Defender - application was quick and easy - slight touching at the flywheel. Now experiencing overheating issue. Going to try to provide outside air through a blower system to circulate cool air around the engine. Has anyone does this before?

 

[LuzSD]

I have wanted to do this for a few years now. I will watch this post to see what others say, thanks for posting this great question!

 

[Christa Griffin]

Will continue to update

I expect over the next 7 to 10 days my husband is going to install a fan with some additional air flow to circulate in the engine compartment (going over the engine -- specifically the alternator area as well) before the air gets discharged out to help keep the engine cooler. I've attached a couple photos of the insulation application. Laid out the insulation - and cut to fit sides. Purchased the 'pins' as part of the kit and glued to the engine covers and then placed insulation over pins so that they poked through the insulation and applied the pin caps to hold in place. Put pins on with gorilla glue and put a flat board on top with some weight until dried strong in place. Last two photos show completed installation of the insulation.

 

[jrowan]

Perhaps the mylar film is reflecting heat back to the engine & raising the temp some. You mention the insulation touching the flywheel - there should be some gap around all engine parts to allow for venting. I want to install some sound deadening insulation as well, but was cautious because of these very concerns. Let us know if the fan works, Good luck.

 

[Big Windy]

I put insulation on the inside of my engine compartment...no problems with over heating. That cover seals tightly anyway, insulation should not affect heating/cooling, I'd look for another source for the problem.

 

[Christa Griffin]

Hi Big Windy -- fact of the matter is -- you are correct! Our engine insulation is working out well (definite noise reduction - although definitely not like riding in a car, but well worth doing). We have not provided additional air flow like we had been planning on doing. This year we did a few things to the boat (added a bus heater off the engine)..may have had some air bubble there on the closed loop system....also ordered a new thermostat (and an extra one) -- believe it was stuck closed when we launched so we are replacing that today when it arrives. First inclination was to blame the insulation as never had an overheat problem, but appears to be coincidental it was after adding the engine insulation. Am hopeful it really is just the thermostat. We're going to go from Scituate to the Bahamas, leaving in September -- first time down the ICW. Thank you for taking the time to reply, I find these forums really helpful in many ways.