Okay, I think I might know the answer to this question already, but I'll ask anyway.

Does the underhood fabric type of heat shield thing a necessary piece of equipment? When I took out the TMIC ducting after my FMIC install I noticed that there was a slight rattle under the hood. I didn't really think anything of it, but it has gotten worse so I decided to check it out.

It turns out that the underhood ducting helps support the fabric/insulation thing so it has since been rattling loose from the rest of the mounts and has torn from some of te mounts.

So, does anyone know if this thing is necessary?

I've taken it off some of the cars I've owned in the past. I was told that the purpose of the blanket was fire suppression. If the engine catches on fire, it will melt the clips holding it in place and it will fall and drape itself over the engine- hopefully smoothering the fire or at least preventing it from flaring up and giving you more time.

Other than that, I'd say it's worthless.

On my Saturn, I forgot to put the oil fill cap back on and the blanket got saturated in oil. I figured keeping it in place was much more of a fire hazard than removing it.

It is also a heat shield that protects the hood from getting too hot and discoloring the paint.

RX-7 Chris wrote:It is also a heat shield that protects the hood from getting too hot and discoloring the paint.

i seem to recall people getting hot hood once they were off....

I have a small square cut-out in mine... I know where it is because that spot always has less snow accumulation.

a small square cut out? for your tmic?

Im almost certin that Eric has taken his off so he would be the guy to ask.

Thanks for the responses. It is comming off for the time being, since it is breaking loose of the support tabs anyway, I was just wondering if I need to replace it.

MazdaTom wrote:I've taken it off some of the cars I've owned in the past. I was told that the purpose of the blanket was fire suppression. If the engine catches on fire, it will melt the clips holding it in place and it will fall and drape itself over the engine- hopefully smoothering the fire or at least preventing it from flaring up and giving you more time.

Other than that, I'd say it's worthless.

On my Saturn, I forgot to put the oil fill cap back on and the blanket got saturated in oil. I figured keeping it in place was much more of a fire hazard than removing it.

+1 to everything Tom said.

Colombia28 wrote:+1 to everything Tom said.

now now!

6i_guy wrote:now now!

... this makes no sense ?

I have a carbon fiber hood and was told hood insulation was key to keeping engine heat from discoloring the hood. So I bought a one-size-fit-all self adhesive foam and aluminum foil pad and cut-to-fit the underside of my hood. The stuff sticks good been on for over three years, probably be hell if I should ever decide to take it off.
A possible option for replacement.

Colombia28 wrote:... this makes no sense ?

Neither did the original version of what he replied with.

MazdaTom wrote:Neither did the original version of what he replied with.

oh crap you saw that??!?! I was just commenting on how Andrew is smitten with you Tom.... ^_^

I see all!