Center console heat shield?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 390
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh PA
Center console heat shield?
Hello all,
I have taken apart the center console area and some of the dash in order to replace my shift boot and remove the HVAC module to get the dim display fixed. While it was off I was thinking about putting something under the armrest/console are to try to keep it cooler in there. I do not think that the heat would cause too many problems with whatever I put in there, but as I drive from Pittsburgh to DC from time to time… after 4 hours it is rather warm.
I do not want to buy a full insulation kit as I do not want to take out all of the rug and seats and all. I figured that while some of the parts are off, I would just do that section.
Does anyone have any ideas of what I can put in there? I thought simple things like tin-foil might work. I also thought insulation like you would use in a house, but that works by not being compressed and once I put the console back on it would compress it negating it’s usefulness.
I just thought someone might have solid ideas, better than just foil.
Thanks for the help,
Jim
I have taken apart the center console area and some of the dash in order to replace my shift boot and remove the HVAC module to get the dim display fixed. While it was off I was thinking about putting something under the armrest/console are to try to keep it cooler in there. I do not think that the heat would cause too many problems with whatever I put in there, but as I drive from Pittsburgh to DC from time to time… after 4 hours it is rather warm.
I do not want to buy a full insulation kit as I do not want to take out all of the rug and seats and all. I figured that while some of the parts are off, I would just do that section.
Does anyone have any ideas of what I can put in there? I thought simple things like tin-foil might work. I also thought insulation like you would use in a house, but that works by not being compressed and once I put the console back on it would compress it negating it’s usefulness.
I just thought someone might have solid ideas, better than just foil.
Thanks for the help,
Jim
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: Valrico FL
Jim,
I am a building contractor and found a perfect thing at your local HD or Lowes. Go to the plumbing section and pick up either Oatey or Bernzomatic solder heat shield. Its a 9" x 14" piece of fireproof material used to dissipate heat while soldering plumbing lines.
They are $15 each so not real cheap but they worked perfect for me. Just peel back the carpet and they slide ride in. I used 6 on my 04. Two on each side and two below the console. You just have to be careful when reinstalling the console as the studs will be shorter due to the shields thickness but you can get the nuts on and indeed tighten them.
I have road tested mine over several four hour trips and it works pretty well. Probably not as great as the under car shield or the full insulation packs guys do but good enough for me as it costs around $100 and I had it done in less than an hour.
One tip is these shields come with brass grommets in them so you can hang them while soldering. Push these out to remove them as obviously the brass will transer heat which you do not want.
I think I took some pictures if you want to see them I can email them to you.
Mike
I am a building contractor and found a perfect thing at your local HD or Lowes. Go to the plumbing section and pick up either Oatey or Bernzomatic solder heat shield. Its a 9" x 14" piece of fireproof material used to dissipate heat while soldering plumbing lines.
They are $15 each so not real cheap but they worked perfect for me. Just peel back the carpet and they slide ride in. I used 6 on my 04. Two on each side and two below the console. You just have to be careful when reinstalling the console as the studs will be shorter due to the shields thickness but you can get the nuts on and indeed tighten them.
I have road tested mine over several four hour trips and it works pretty well. Probably not as great as the under car shield or the full insulation packs guys do but good enough for me as it costs around $100 and I had it done in less than an hour.
One tip is these shields come with brass grommets in them so you can hang them while soldering. Push these out to remove them as obviously the brass will transer heat which you do not want.
I think I took some pictures if you want to see them I can email them to you.
Mike
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,225
Likes: 0
From: The Great Truth: "There ain't no free lunch"
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Interested as well...Florida Mikes idea looks good......remember several years ago folks were using a Frost King product that had 2 layers of foil sorta bubble pack form....people reported good results although not as much as the dedicated products....cheaper though....GL
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: Valrico FL
Interested as well...Florida Mikes idea looks good......remember several years ago folks were using a Frost King product that had 2 layers of foil sorta bubble pack form....people reported good results although not as much as the dedicated products....cheaper though....GL
Send me a PM or an email and I will forward you the pictures I took. I don't have picture posting rights or I would have just posted them.
Mike
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,772
Likes: 3
From: Gastonia NC
St. Jude Donor '10
Some great ideas, mine tends to cook pretty good, I too don't really want the full deal just something for the center. 
<-- thats what my leg feels like after a long road trip...
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 390
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh PA
I have never had the car up in the air, but I would guess this is not an easy thing to do.
I just figured that since I have all the hardware off the center and am waiting to get my HVAC unit back, I could just do an easy quick-fix thing.
I ran behind yesterday and did not get to Home Depot, but I hope to today.
I just figured that since I have all the hardware off the center and am waiting to get my HVAC unit back, I could just do an easy quick-fix thing.
I ran behind yesterday and did not get to Home Depot, but I hope to today.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 1
From: LEBANON PA.
Hi there tstar:
I was looking for the pictures of the solder heat shield install from the other poster.Thanks for posting your pictures.
Are you planning on going to Carlisle?I hope the weather is not so hot as last year.Pa. is a big place mind if I ask where you are located?
Have a great day.
robsc501
I was looking for the pictures of the solder heat shield install from the other poster.Thanks for posting your pictures.
Are you planning on going to Carlisle?I hope the weather is not so hot as last year.Pa. is a big place mind if I ask where you are located?
Have a great day.
robsc501
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Joined: Feb 2007
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