C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Why heat wrap causes rust

Old Dec 15, 2006 | 08:16 PM
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Default Why heat wrap causes rust

If the exhaust is hot howcome I read from people that heat wrap on headers, etc. causes rust? Why would moisture remain to cause rust???
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Old Dec 15, 2006 | 08:39 PM
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I suppose some people actually drive these things in the rain! Or take such short trips that the condensation doesn't have time to burn off!
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Old Dec 15, 2006 | 08:55 PM
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Heat wrap doesn't cause rust it merely provides the environment to augment its formation.

If you don't want rusty headers get them ceramic coated.
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Old Dec 15, 2006 | 08:57 PM
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Yeah, I will never use header wrap, it's not as effective as ceramic coating and it promotes rust.
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Old Dec 15, 2006 | 09:16 PM
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Wrap traps moisture and helps its formation.
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Old Dec 15, 2006 | 09:18 PM
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Originally Posted by eptaylor
If the exhaust is hot howcome I read from people that heat wrap on headers, etc. causes rust? Why would moisture remain to cause rust???
It causes the damage when the car is off while it is sitting in the garage. The moisture is absorbed and penetrates the header wrap on the exhaust and rusts it,.Hope this helps....
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Old Dec 15, 2006 | 09:32 PM
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Is there a problem with using it on the egr pipe or using a wrap (blanket) around the starter?
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Old Dec 15, 2006 | 11:04 PM
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Default heat wrap

a better way is what I did. (puffs out chest)

I got aluminum tape (the shiny kind about .005 thick) and got fiberglas insulation, and pulled the insulation apart till it was about an inch thick.
Then scrunched it and coated both sides with the aluminum tape, and made a small blanket. then wrapped it around the EGR pipe, and added more aluminum tape to close the seam.
It has been on my car about 4 years now, and the tape looks as good as the saturday I put it on the car.

I would guess it would work on exhaust as well.
but it would look dorky on headers
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Old Dec 15, 2006 | 11:54 PM
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I tried some Al wrap over my ratty EGR tube but finally sprang for the $$ and bought a new wrapped pipe for my '88; good idea you had there...

I think a wrap for the starter would be ok as it isn't mild steal so not as quick to rust away and doesn't get as hot. It's the combo of heat & trapped moisture on mild steel that promotes the rusting.
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