Hood Insulation — Removal

Introduction

As the hood insulation on a 944 ages it will flake off and leave residue throughout the engine compartment that is extremely difficult to clean up. The solution is to remove the old hood insulation entirely. After removal, the insulation can be replaced with new material or left off — late model 944s were not fitted with hood insulation from the factory.

Tools

• Soft cloth
• Plastic scraper
• 3M Woodgrain and Trim Remover
• Soft blanket, large rug, or padded surface (to lay hood on during removal)

Procedure

1. Remove the hood from the vehicle with an assistant's help as follows: a. Disconnect all hoses from the windshield washer nozzles. Also disconnect the wiring for the washer nozzle heaters. b. Disconnect and remove the hood shocks. c. Prop up the hood. A broom stick cut to appropriate length works well for this. d. Remove the bolts that attach the hood to the hinges (two bolts per side). e. Have an assistant help lift the hood off the car and lay it upside down on a padded surface.

2. Using your hand or a plastic scraper, remove as much of the old hood insulation as possible. What typically remains after this step is primarily the adhesive used to bond the insulation.

3. Apply 3M Woodgrain and Trim Remover to the remaining adhesive and allow it to sit for approximately 5 minutes.

4. Using a soft cloth, gently rub away the softened adhesive.

   Caution: Do not use any type of scraper after applying the trim remover. The solvent may soften the paint. Using a scraper after applying trim remover risks damaging the paint underneath the insulation.

5. Once all adhesive is removed, wash the area thoroughly, dry completely, and apply a coat of wax to the underside of the hood.