Hood Insulation Pad?
 

How important is it to have a hood insulation pad for a W123? I have an 81 300D and the insulation pad is missing but I feel like I've seen a lot of W123's that are also missing them, so... are they that necessary?

they protect the hood paint.I covered mine with aluminum duct tape,to reflect heat down from hood.

they help cut down the engine noise and protect the paint on the hood

Mine turned to powder.

I believe "Kent" has them (and lots of other stuff you might need) available at his location in Washington State. I need one for my 83 240D, too. It's "on the list" for replacement.....way down at the bottom heh heh

They protect the hood paint. Especially, over the turbo.

Pelican Parts carries several brands.
Note: you get what you pay for on these. The cheap ones will quickly turn to dust. Fortunately, they are easy to replace.

The W124 pads can be had on eBay for $50 or so. I'd imagine the W123 pads are cheaper.

Yes, I've already purchased a bunch of things from this location in Washington that you speak of. He sells an insulation pad kit, basically the correct glue and brushes to install the insulation pad for $34.50, which seems a little pricey for some glue and a few brushes.

Oh and the insulation pad is also on bottom of my list for replacement but I feel like I'm getting close to the bottom of that list... I think. Ha ha! I hope I didn't just jinx it though by acknowledging it.


Yup, I saw those. Any specific brand you recommend? Obviously I'm assuming I should just go for the one that's OEM and probably the most expensive and just bite the bullet.

I've had a new hood pad for several years to install in the 91....but have never gotten around to it. I asked my auto body guy if, with newer paints (I've had my hood repainted) he's ever seen paint damage due to a missing hood pad. He didn't think it would be an issue. So the hood pad sits on a shelf! :)

I'm skeptical of the paint protection... Not only have I not had a hood pad for quite awhile but I don't even have the giant air cleaner that I would imagine provides quite a bit of heat shielding and no problems with the paint. Maybe if you drove full-bore for hours on end? I don't know. I would think if you have the stock air cleaner the 20 pounds of metal would be a much better heat shield than some foam stuck to the underside of the hood. I bet the foam is 90% for noise.

-Rog

On the 124's they seal with the bulk head rubber strip, this prevents engine fumes entering the air box right behind it.

3M do the right glue otherwise when hot will fall down.

A bit of insulation helps a lot with the radiant heat coming off the turbo (hence the foil on the pads above the turbo. That radiant heat would otherwise make a hot spot on the thin sheet metal of the hood, potentially damaging the paint.

It's a small price to pay
 

If you need it, you need it. Go buy one. They didn't put one on the car originally just because they were bored. If it protects the paint and quiets down the car, then the cost of bad hood paint later will diminish the value of the car more than the cost of the pad.

Go buy a GOOD one and be done. I bought a replacement one 150,000 miles ago and it's still looking good. I don't think I'd buy one off ebay. I got mine at the time from a local independent MB parts place.

I read somewhere, maybe on this forum many years ago, that they were using water heater insulation pads as less expensive replacements. I've thought about it but never looked into it. There was a "How To . . . " included, with photos of the cutting to pattern and installation.

My $45 eBay pad is still going strong on my W124. The W123 looks like it's $52. Use some high strength spray adhesive to attach.