Any cheap and quick ways to insulate above engine?

belfert · July 23, 2011, 04:49:12 PM

My engine tends to emit a lot of noise and heat going down the road. The bunks are in the back and it is difficult to sleep going down the road due to the heat and noise combination.

I am trying to figure out something cheap and quick I can do in the next 5 weeks to combat this issue. I don't care what it looks like really. Everything is just exposed plywood and doesn't look good. I'm thinking about putting foam board with the foil on it over the plywood and caulking the edges to make do for this year's upcoming trips.

Any suggestions? I know about lots of long term fixes, but I'm not ready for that right now.

DMoedave · July 23, 2011, 05:12:02 PM

Hey Brian, i did a good overlapping layer of heavy tar paper then i used some sheet lead over that. you can get both at a roofing supply. I got my lead from a plumbing supply, damaged sheets they use for shower pans but not as popular now. Then i put foil sided bubble wrap type insulation then my 3/4 ply floors and carpet padding then the rug over that. All the seams were taped and it works well for noise and heat. big difference. good luck. lots of info in the archives on busnuts and probably here as well,

boxcarOkie · July 23, 2011, 05:30:19 PM

Quote from: DMoedave on July 23, 2011, 05:12:02 PM
Hey Brian, i did a good overlapping layer of heavy tar paper then i used some sheet lead over that. you can get both at a roofing supply. I got my lead from a plumbing supply, damaged sheets they use for shower pans but not as popular now. Then i put foil sided bubble wrap type insulation then my 3/4 ply floors and carpet padding then the rug over that. All the seams were taped and it works well for noise and heat. big difference. good luck. lots of info in the archives on busnuts and probably here as well,

Doesn't long time exposure to lead cause brain damage?'

BCO

belfert · July 23, 2011, 05:42:15 PM

Right now I'm just looking for something quick and cheap. At some point I'll do it right.

Lead is fine when it is covered. If memory serves I think Prevost still uses lead sheet in their shells.

Van · July 23, 2011, 05:48:28 PM

Don't know about their shipping. Just food thought

.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/jcwhitney/textsearch_result.jcw?sku=isulation&shopid=100002&_requestid=10382138

robertglines1 · July 23, 2011, 05:56:32 PM

quick cheap couple layers old carpet with pad between them insulation and sound dead

zubzub · July 23, 2011, 06:49:04 PM

I have always used airtight plus weight plus no direct transfer as the best to hold vibration....in this application I would use
layer plastic
layer carpet or foam backing
layer cement board or lead (floated it possible)
layer plastic
layer carpet or foam
finish surface (floated if possible)

Mex-Busnut · July 23, 2011, 08:38:01 PM

Quote from: boxcarOkie on July 23, 2011, 05:30:19 PM
Quote from: DMoedave on July 23, 2011, 05:12:02 PM
Doesn't long time exposure to lead cause brain damage?'

BCO

Well, there might be something to that, BCO. A VERY high percentage of this list's members grew up in houses with lead pipes, lead paint and around cars using leaded gasoline. And today....

WE ARE... BUSNUTS!!!

demodriver · July 23, 2011, 09:56:00 PM

Like Bob said carpet works well. We stuck four layers in the back of ours and it made a huge difference.

happycamperbrat · July 23, 2011, 11:22:08 PM

The cheapest is going to be using something you already have or can get for free. If this is just temp then my advice is do not spend any cash. When you spend cash make sure and get what you want to end up with, not just a temp fix or you will just be throwing cash away.

Heavy quilts or even layers of cardboard make for good insulation and sound absorbers, as is extra plywood you may have laying around or carpet pieces. Freecycle is a good source for left over insulation from a remodeling job. Those popcorn packing things make for good insulation and so does perlite and vermiculite..... with these just stuff a bunch into plastic shopping bags. Source your local storage shed company and ask them if you can go dumpster diving

I work at one and there is always popcorn things and cardboard back there, often some really cool stuff too!

Dreamscape · July 24, 2011, 02:53:51 AM

A PO had left us with two moving appliance blankets under the bed, over the engine, that seem to work quite well. I added a layer of firewall heat resistant material used in hot rods under 1/2 plywood.

I've never tried to sleep with the engine running cause I'm at the wheel all the time.

I can barely hear the ole Detroit up front, but then again my hearing aint what it used to be either.

belfert · July 24, 2011, 06:21:57 AM

What would be a good way to secure carpet if I used that? Usually when dampening sound you don't want to fasten with mechanical fasteners as they tend to transmit the sound.

Teresa, I don't mind spending $50 or so on a temporary fix. I've wasted a lot more money than that on stupider things.

ArtGill · July 24, 2011, 06:24:39 AM

Find a construction site for a flat metal roof commercial building. A lot of times they put 2 inch dense foam sheets with a tar paper like coating on one side on top of the metal roof before putting down a rubber roof. You may be able to get some large scrap. Also look for scrap of the rubber roof to put between layers of plywood.

Art

demodriver · July 24, 2011, 10:12:11 AM

No need to mount the carpet, just lay it down. In my bus we rolled it up the walls about 1.5'. We are just using our bus as a big metal tent for the summer and it keeps it cooler in the back and the carpet is alot nicer and cleaner then the factory flooring and walls.

zubzub · July 24, 2011, 11:32:24 AM

Quote from: belfert on July 24, 2011, 06:21:57 AM
What would be a good way to secure carpet if I used that? Usually when dampening sound you don't want to fasten with mechanical fasteners as they tend to transmit the sound.

The trick is to minimize the fasteners and where you must use them try to use something like a bit of the isolation strapping they use for mounting drywall to studs.