Detail Engine Hood Insulation Pad?

SLORICK · February 20, 2010

How should I clean/detail the insulation pad on my engine hood? 1994 LS400

1990LS400 · February 21, 2010

Open your hood and spray it with a power washer or at a wand-type car wash. That's what I've always done every month or two. I also clean the engine compartment about once a month being careful not to directly spray electrical components and then wipe down everything visible with cotton towels I buy by the dozen. A lot of people have reported drivability problems after doing this but I've never had a problem and have been doing it for decades -- maybe I'm more careful than most.

SW03ES · February 21, 2010

Do you spray the hood insulation pad itself Jim?

1990LS400 · February 21, 2010

Do you spray the hood insulation pad itself Jim?

Yes, that's what I've been doing since I bought 00 LS 2003 and I did the same on the 90 LS I had from 1990 to 2003. The hood insulation pad on the 00 LS has gotten a little wrinkly and the back edge droops slightly when the hood is open but at least it looks spotless -- it needs a few more attachment points to hold it securely to the hood. I don't use a strong spray of water to clean the insulator pad -- like I said, I clean it often so dirt and grime doesn't build up.

It would be better if the hood insulation on the 00 LS didn't have a porous, cloth-like finish -- it absorbs water when I spray it but dries out quickly from the engine compartment heat. The hood insulation pad on the 90 LS seemed rigid and I don't remember it absorbing water, drooping or getting wringled -- it seemed of higher quality than the one on my 00 LS.

As I've mentioned before, I've noticed numerous components and tolerances that seem to be to have been designed a little stronger/closer on the earlier LS400. I suspect many of the differences I've noticed between the 90 LS and the 00 LS were done just as much to cut weight as to cut manufacturing costs. I just now checked the retail prices of the "hood insulator" for the 90 LS and 00 LS and see that the one for the 90 LS costs $27.58 more than the one for the 00 LS.

SLORICK · February 21, 2010

Noted; Thanks Guys. :cheers:

SW03ES · February 22, 2010

Yeah when you look at the LS430 theres even more difference, and difference between the LS430 and the LS460 in terms of quality. For instance the LS400 & 430 has a nice high quality rearview mirror that matches the interior color...the LS460 has a black cheap plastic unit on all interiors.