'85 300SD hood insulation - needed?

[Jim H]

The insulation on the under-side of the '85 SD hood is gone, just traces of the old adhesive are left. Is this insulation necessary, useful, required, nice to have, etc.?

I wonder if it is more for preserving the paint, noise control, or to keep wandering hands from being blistered.

Any help/comments welcome, and where would I get the replacement if I need it?

BCingU, Jim

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'96 E300D 58k mi (wife's daily ride)
'95 Audi 90 118k mi
'92 GMC Suburban 138k mi
'85 300SD 230k mi (my daily ride)

[DieselGuy]

Jim,

I believe it's primary function is noise suppresion. I have an 84 300SD that had the same condition a couple of years ago. I covered the engine bay with an old blanket to keep the old crumbly foam from making a mess. If the underside of your hood isn't too filthy, you can brush off any loose dirt and use 3M contact adhesive. It's in a spray can. You can buy that buy that at any auto parts store. The hood insulation I ordered through a local import car place. Pretty cheap at $35. Sprayed the underside of the hood and the back of the foam insulation. I pretty much followed the application instructions on the can. If you happen to get a hood pad with square boxes on on side, that side faces the engine. The smooth back is where you spray the adhesive. Good Luck.

Nolan

84 300SD 278,300 miles
82 240D 261,000 miles

[jeffsr]

Jim, Get a quote from Lee here at the Parts Shop. You can also get the hood pad from GAPA. Here is the link. About $29.00. HTTP://www.gapa.com
Good Luck

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Jeff Lawrence
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE

[be459]

The job is very easy but you cannot make mistakes. Once the two surfaces touch each other, they bond together and cannot be removed. My suggestion is to do a dry run first - put the pad up without the adhevive and mark the center line (with masking tape or marker). After spaying the adhesive, glue the center first by matching the marks and then move on to one side of the hood then the other side. Trim the edges if necessary after it is done.

David

[Michael]

Noise suppression is the primary function. Be advised...this job is MUCH easier with two sets of hands!

Just did this job on my '88 300TE...now, not only is it quieter on the outside, but that desireable "thud" when you close the hood is back...the pad seems to dampen resonances.

[Jim H]

Thanks for all of the replies and advice. This sounds like DIY. I have had good luck here with parts, but does anyone offhand know the part number? I have the service CD-ROM, but it doesn't have part numbers. I can always ask PartShop too.

I'll let you know how it goes.

BCingU, Jim

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'96 E300D 58k mi (wife's daily ride)
'95 Audi 90 118k mi
'92 GMC Suburban 138k mi
'85 300SD 230k mi (my daily ride)

[andy day]

Jim, I did both my cars recently and it is certainly worth the effort I reckon. Definatley a 2/3 person job on a sunny afternoon and plenty of cups of coffee for your willing volunteers ! As I read, the ' clunk ' alone is worth the effort but it does seem this stuff only seems to last a few years before starting to fall apart once again.

andy,

what model cars do you have?

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'89 420 SEL
'90 300 SEL
'68 Olds 88 Convertible
'84 300 SD (sold it)

Let me give you a tip for installing hood pads that my grandfather taught me....

Installation is a 2 person job, but if you are your only help, double-sided, carpet tape will be your best friend.

Cover the engine compartment, clean the hood area, place double-sided tape on the hood pad on the edge that will be closest to the windshield. Stick the pad to the hood and check alignment. If it is wrong, no problem, just adjust accordingly.....
Spray the contact adhesive of your choice on the hood, but stop halfway down. Bring the pad up to meet, but do not stick to it... this will mark how far to spray the pad.
Now spray the pad and make the contact...
The pad will be perm. bonded half way. Now detach the lower half that is taped up, remove the tape, and repeat adhesive application for the second half.

This is time consuming if your contact adhesive requires long hold times before joining halves. A good 3M brand adhesive will speed things up.

Good Luck

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William
76 240D (W115) - 550K miles
78 300D (W123) - 200K+ miles

[andy day]

Hi mattsuzie. I run a 1993 190E with a 4 cylinder 2.0 ltr engine which seems to be one of the most common imports here for the W201. There a few 2.5 and 2.6 ltr multi- valve and V6 versions about but they are generally pre 1992 and run to the ground. The 201 is fine for scooting around town and the trip to work but my pride and joy is the newly acquired 1991, W126 500SEL. This came off the line in February 1990 and was shipped to Japan in October that year where it spent it's whole life until it was shipped to me here in Dubai in June of this year. It runs as sweet as a nut and is a real pleasure to drive with that wonderful " Big Benz " feel that the 190 just does not have. All the time the petrol is cheap here, I will continue to enjoys it's magnificent V8 performance. Do you read the posts about the price of Gas in england at the moment, now that must hurt ! ( I think I'll stay here ! )

I had the problem on my hood to before my car was in an accident it had fallen down. I took it to my mechanic and for 70 bucks he cut and put in to padding.

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Dan Younes
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1985 euro 500sel 223k
1986 420sel 86k soon 2 be
1981 300sd 285k sold
1979 240d 298k sold
1983 300sd 272k sold
1989 chrysler 2.2l Turbo
Leabaron 140k
1989 Dodge Carvan Se 295k
1994 S500
(hopefully someday)

[fz500sel]

Did the 300D's come with the hood pad? I'm thinking that may also help subdue the normal diesel noise.

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FrankieZ
84 500SEL EURO 87K
85 300D 267K (and still goin' strong)

[Larry Delor]

Frank, yes they did. Mine was replaced when I bought the car. The kind that I have doesn't have the waffle pattern.
-Larry