wachen

I am in the process of replacing my lower valve covers. I removed the side tins yesterday and they are not only greasy with caked on dirt, but the foam padding are pretty tattered.

I remember reading on here that you can just remove the foam without any ill effect for the valve covers and the spark plug wires....but has anyone removed the foam and replaced it with some sort of heat barrier blanket?

Like this one on Amazon:

Or should I just clean the side tins and re-install them without the foam and not worry about it?

Thanks

Goughary

Get rid of all of it. It was only there to lower the amount of exterior noise to meet dot/epa standards for noise pollution...

And it's only detrimental to the motor.

wachen

So, they are there for noise dampening?....I will rip these tattered padding right off.
Thanks.

crg53

I will have to disagree with that statement. The under tray is a known culprit for keeping the engine too hot, but those two covers on the side of the valve covers, protects not only the spark plug wires from excessive heat (if you still have the cat in place), but also from weather, rocks and other debris being flung under the car at speed. JMHO.

Vandit

Installation of that heat barrier on the inside of the side shields would do what? Reflect heat back at the motor? That's not good.

The outer side of the side shields already has reflective material to block some of the exhaust heat.

tdiquattro

I cleaned all mine off the backs, holds moisture as well which cant be great, just scrape it all off

I have bought additional ceramic sheets to stick on the outside over the silver foil, but havent got around to it yet (to help with the silencer and cat areas.

deadendd9009

I removed it and never worried about it. Its only about sound insulation. The lower panels are fiberglass like material, they can take the heat. As previously said, the outer reflective material is doing the temperature management.

Goughary

Noooooo, I don't mean to remove the side shields....just the foam that was packed up in there...I only have the bottom tray and foam removed on my car. I agree that heat shield/vertical pieces should definitely stay....

DobermanDad

Mine was already removed when I got my car.

ThomasC2

I agree. Keep the shields but scrape of the foam.