Removing mat under hood??? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Itgb · #1 07-30-2002, 05:18 PM

I've seen a couple of the 190 owners have taken off the mat under the hood and they say that they can lose 10lbs off the car. I was just wondering if it was ok to remove it without damaging the hood from all the heat that the engine creates. Doesn't the mat help to protect it by absorbing the heat?

Thanks,
Giancarlo

#2 07-30-2002, 05:58 PM

The mat just dampens the sound, mine actually fell off years ago on my 300E, never really effected anything but the noise of the engine

Michael · #3 07-30-2002, 06:25 PM

It weighs about 3 lbs., and does nothing but decrease engine noise and insulate the hood paint from engine heat (a worthwhile characteristic methinks)

#4 08-02-2002, 05:02 AM

Just replaced my hood pad about a week ago. It's a pretty easy proposition. If you removed yours and left it off, the "bare" underside of the hood will look pretty ugly (you'll never get all the residual adhesive off). OEM replacement hood pads and the 3M adhesive will run about $80.00 from www.************************. Make sure you drape your engine compartment with plastic or tarp when scraping off the old pad. I put sawhorses on either side of the engine bay and ran some boards across 'em. This made it real convenient for R&Ring the pad -- I would say it's a necessity for proper pad alignment.

Good luck!

Brian16V

joe p · #5 08-02-2002, 07:41 AM

The old 88 300te has no clear coat left on the hood from running sans the mat. It'll burn the paint off, keep it!

I remove them with a shop vac using a flat sided adaptor. No foam in the air intake for ACC and no faom laying everywhere. :-)

Joe

yal · #6 08-02-2002, 11:11 AM

Actually it won't "burn the paint off". I think all European Benzes of that era came without a hood pad. The reason for having them was to dampen the valve chatter and to get rid of the steam that comes of the hood on cold wet days.

My euro benz has been without a hood pad for 15 years and people think I got the thing repainted.

pentoman · #7 08-02-2002, 03:43 PM

I recently took of my 190E's non-full size one to replace with a full-sizer, and drove it for a while without it on. The engine was a lot noisier without it, emitting generally unpleasant whineing and grinding sounds.

All I can say if you are removing it for a weight/speed advantage is that you are absolutely CRAZY and I may have to go ahead and kill myself

. My brand new full size pad weighed much much less than a big lunch, I thought it would be a dense, heavy material but it seems dense and lightweight.

And as I've never noticed a speed difference when driving after eating, I'd say definitely leave it on there.

later

haasman · #8 08-02-2002, 09:18 PM

3M makes a great adhesive remover which works well to take off the residual pad material. It will not hurt paint (read directions on back side of product). I found it works best when it is allowed to sit on the old pad glue for several minutes.

When fitting the new hood pad, be sure to check the fit BEFORE applying to the hood with 3M contact cement. I used a combination of both the 3M spray on HD contact cement and the high-temp out of a tube.

As far as weight savings ..... forget it. Remove your rear seat! Or your radio .... or your spare tire .... or ....