Plenum chamber drains.

[Richard the old one]

Can you suggest any ways to prevent the bulkhead behind the sound proofing rusting.

I am considering pouring a small amount of new engine oil into the various plenum chamber sections from time to time as this will run down behind the sound proofing and hopefully slow up any rust forming on the bulkhead.

[sprint95m]

This is something I have pondering since just short ago when I removed the bulkhead soundproofing from my Sprint, Richard.
What greeted me was not pretty at all.

Therefore to try and prevent a repeat, I have decided not to fit new soundproofing
because it will give the bulkhead more of a chance to be dry and,
if it does prove to be necessary, I will double up the soundproofing on the inside.



Ian.

[oily66]

Prior to my car being painted I thought of this as the original pad soaks up the water.
So before paint I opened up the drains slightly. Then prior to fixing the new pad in place, (purchased from Aldridge’s) I checked the absorbance of the new pad and that also seemed to hold a bit too.
So wherever there was a drain behind the pad I cut a channel to the lower edge and applied a builders silicone to the edges so the pad couldn’t absorb.
A bit like this.

[cleverusername]

If the bulkhead insulation is to stay, the only two options I can think of would be to somehow waterproof the bulkhead material or modify the drains.

Now you can get sprays to waterproof things like walking boots but I would hesitate to use such a product in an engine bay. Heat +vapours from unknown product+ spark = potential fire or worse. Though if anyone can suggest a safe product for such an application, I would be interested.

The other option is to modify the drains. Several of the modern cars I have use rubber/plastic hoses as drains. So would it be possible to block the original drains, drill some new holes and fit drain tubes that will take the water outside the car, without it getting on the bulkhead material?

[sprint95m]

I am sure the bulkhead insulation is acting as a water trap rather than a sponge.

On my Sprint some parts were absolutely stuck fast but other bits came away easily.




Ian.