Birdbrain

Well-Known Member
As with many others with a Defender of this vintage my original heat shield fell apart years ago and I’ve run without one with no problems. Until last Saturday! A long high speed (speed relative in a Defender ) to Anglesey & back was accompanied by a burning smell. When I checked under the bonnet my under bonnet installation was well alight! Smouldering red with lots of smoke.
It seems heat shields are no longer available at a reasonable price but I’m wondering if anyone has fabricated their own or used a commercially available turbo blanket.
Thanks in advance.
 
As with many others with a Defender of this vintage my original heat shield fell apart years ago and I’ve run without one with no problems. Until last Saturday! A long high speed (speed relative in a Defender ) to Anglesey & back was accompanied by a burning smell. When I checked under the bonnet my under bonnet installation was well alight! Smouldering red with lots of smoke.
It seems heat shields are no longer available at a reasonable price but I’m wondering if anyone has fabricated their own or used a commercially available turbo blanket.
Thanks in advance.
Over 1100 results on ebay ranging from £16 -£670 just pick one that fits your turbo :)
 
Genuine dont last either
Turbo blanket sounds the easiest/cheapest way

Like this + have a short length of exhaust wrap on the downpipe :cool:

upload_2022-1-24_15-26-57.jpeg


Turbo heat covers readily available from many suppliers & eBay - don't buy the el-cheapo's Chinky jobbies they do little and fall apart.

This is the downpipe material made from volcanic lava/basalt space grade wrap that needs no water applied to fit, does not cause accelerated exhaust rusting, does not fall apart.

https://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-84428-...st-wrap-2-x-15ft-thermal-insulation-roll.aspx

magma-exhaust-heat-wrap-2-x-65-ft-roll-for-headers-manifolds-exhausts-2241-p.jpg
 
I've a mostly intact heatshield on my engine (not fitted in the ninety yet) & was thinking of taking a fiberglass mold to make a replacement when it disintigrateso_O

will it ever get done? (the heatshield not the engine fitting:D)

Rich.
 
@zed , you could make one out of pressed heatshield alloy sheet material...it works very well. I built a heat reflection box for the V8's MAF and air intake to keep air in temps as low as possible.
 
Thick aluminium heatshield sheeting is far better. Can be folded for twin wall, formed, drilled and riveted...then bolted through penny washers or stainless strip to main mounting points
 
If it's only the bonnet insulation catching fire that's the problem then why not put heat insulation on the underside of the bonnet in the affected area. A flat stainless plate for example, or whatever fabric type of material that suits you. Or both.
 
Like this + have a short length of exhaust wrap on the downpipe :cool:

View attachment 257516

Turbo heat covers readily available from many suppliers & eBay - don't buy the el-cheapo's Chinky jobbies they do little and fall apart.

This is the downpipe material made from volcanic lava/basalt space grade wrap that needs no water applied to fit, does not cause accelerated exhaust rusting, does not fall apart.

https://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-84428-...st-wrap-2-x-15ft-thermal-insulation-roll.aspx

magma-exhaust-heat-wrap-2-x-65-ft-roll-for-headers-manifolds-exhausts-2241-p.jpg

You don’t happen to have the size of the turbo blanket you’ve used do you? Mines got standard turbo fitted to 200tdi but can’t reconcile the Garrett numbers with any Z sizes for turbo blankets.
 
If it's only the bonnet insulation catching fire that's the problem then why not put heat insulation on the underside of the bonnet in the affected area. A flat stainless plate for example, or whatever fabric type of material that suits you. Or both.

surely a steel plate attached to underside of bonnet will just get hot and cause the same problem ? I can easily get some aluminium sheet to attach just above the turbo but would worry it would act as a heat sink and get hot enough to start another fire
 
I see what you're saying here and admittedly it will still be a bit on the warm side. But if there is no direct contact with the bonnet insulation it will still give a good measure of protection, especially if there is limited contact area between plate and bonnet structure, say with thick washers/spacers. Then there is always the added option of covering it with some heat resistant material as well. But if you can procure a proper ready made heat shield then go ahead.
 
Like this + have a short length of exhaust wrap on the downpipe :cool:

View attachment 257516

Turbo heat covers readily available from many suppliers & eBay - don't buy the el-cheapo's Chinky jobbies they do little and fall apart.

This is the downpipe material made from volcanic lava/basalt space grade wrap that needs no water applied to fit, does not cause accelerated exhaust rusting, does not fall apart.

https://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-84428-...st-wrap-2-x-15ft-thermal-insulation-roll.aspx

magma-exhaust-heat-wrap-2-x-65-ft-roll-for-headers-manifolds-exhausts-2241-p.jpg

I forgot to say your engine bay looks stunning!
 
If anyones interested I’ve got a turbo blanket on order from company called Funk Motorsport. Sent them photos of the turbo& they’ve recommended their T25 internal waste gate blanket. Not the cheapest but hopefully built to last ! Also ordered some thermal insulation for the short section of pipe down to exhaust down pipe.
 
Update.
Funk Motorsport turbo blanket arrived Saturday and only took a few minutes to fit. Attaching springs to hold it in place a bit fiddly but a piece of wire with a hook on the end helped!
Took a 45 mile drive into N Wales and back y'day )on the N Wales Express Way so non-stop at 70 mph) and when I opened the bonnet to check I was amazed I could actually put my hand on the top of the turbo blanket. It was warm but not hot so its definitely keeping the heat in which, apparently, also aids performance
 
Update.
Funk Motorsport turbo blanket arrived Saturday and only took a few minutes to fit. Attaching springs to hold it in place a bit fiddly but a piece of wire with a hook on the end helped!
Took a 45 mile drive into N Wales and back y'day )on the N Wales Express Way so non-stop at 70 mph) and when I opened the bonnet to check I was amazed I could actually put my hand on the top of the turbo blanket. It was warm but not hot so its definitely keeping the heat in which, apparently, also aids performance

They look nice - very expensive tho
 
Has anyone used one of the..ahem... cheap one from china on Ebay for £30? Fire hazard?
 
I have a £50 jobbie made of volcano magma/basalt weave. It's very effective and I like being able to say my Landy has "Magma..." :cool:

The Chinese jobbies are fine fibre glass weave look-a-likes that appear to work but not sure how long they last.
 

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