Engine compartment wires need covering - any ideas - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

meltedpanda · #1 09-24-2007, 06:36 PM

On many of the wires that cross my engine bay many of the original coverings are lost to the heat of the compartment. It is either gone or just cracked off. I would love to find something that I could enclose these in short of using black electrical tape. Some are only 2 wires thick so I would need some kind of heat resistant ¼ inch conduit or something -----any ideas

aTOMic · #2 09-24-2007, 07:02 PM

I saw some cars using silicone vacuum hose, you can slit it and it'll pop over your wires then you zip tie it or I guess you could use silicone sealant to glue them on. The silicone is heat proof, and it is available in at least three colors (red, blue and black) from these guys. http://boostcontroller.com/index.php?category=8 You can get it quite small - 3.5mm inside diameter. Someone even sells a "hose slitter" (also known as a letter opener)to facilitate slitting it (sorry I can't remember who now

).

meltedpanda · #3 09-24-2007, 09:51 PM

Thanks I wish I could try a piece before buying , I am afraid if I slit it I will end up putting tape on it so it does not gap open. Is it pretty solid stuff, like the plastic tubes they sell for wires ( which is all big stuff) The stuff that looks like small version of corragated drain pipe

aTOMic · #4 09-25-2007, 10:51 AM

"glue" it with silicone sealant!

It IS pretty springy, more so than regular vac tubing. I think it'd hold quite well around wires. It's a little thicker than most tubing that size, too.

Boostcontroller.com would probably send you a piece, or order some and if it doesn't work you can always use it to replace your vac tubing. 3.5mm is the small MB tube size, 4mm is standard size vac tube.

75Sv1 · #5 09-26-2007, 01:52 PM

They do make some black wire sheathing. You can find it at any auto parts store. Its made to cover wiring. Its split and comes in different sizes. You see it on many older US cars wiring harnesses. I wrap the ends with electrical tape and about every foot. Looks good.
Tom

meltedpanda · #6 09-27-2007, 10:21 AM

thanks ,everyone, I found some nice 1/4 inch corrigated high temp split plastic covering, will work perfect with a little tape at both ends

TX76513 · #7 09-27-2007, 11:03 AM

You might find "shrink tape/tubing to work sufficiently. You can buy a sleeve of several rolls/colors from Harbor Freight for a few bucks. Slip on or slide through than hit with a heat gun. Makes everything look neat and professional.