Q: Advice on driving a car that has a hood without insulation

asked by on May 15, 2016

I've purchased a used hood from a junk yard. I've noticed it's missing insulation. Is it okay to drive like that?

Sure. The insulation only serves two purposes. One is for sound insulation, so that it is quieter in the car and so there is not much engine noise. The other is heat insulation, to keep the heat from getting to the paint under hood. So the paint under the hood may crack and look poorly after time, but it isn’t going to do any mechanical damage to anything. It’s just going to look a little cracked. When I was a kid, they didn’t have insulation under hood and no one cared about that. It doesn’t hurt the car at all.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How Do Belt Pulleys Work?
Your car has two main types of pulleys, crank pulleys and accessory pulleys. The crank pulley delivers motion to the other pulleys by means of either a serpentine belt or a v-belt, and they in turn activate the accessories in...
Struts and shocks
You do have front struts and rear shocks on your GMC Terrain. If you are having any problems with your suspension, or need replacement struts (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/strut-assembly-replacement), a certified mechanic from YourMechanic can come to your home or office to service...
Air conditioning not working
Hi there: AC problems always seem to pop up when it's hot outside and we can least afford the problem. Based on what you're describing, the air conditioner problem (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/why-won-t-my-ac-blow-cold-air) with your Chevy K1500 AC system might simply be caused...
how to fill slave cylinder
In order to pump up the clutch you need to fill the clutch master cylinder with brake fluid (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-add-brake-fluid-to-your-car-by-toby-schultz). Have an assistant push the clutch to the floor several times while the clutch is held open with the bleed screw...
Transmission slips during acceleration
Hey there. If you have manual transmission, this is almost certainly the clutch slipping. It is wearing out and used gently, it will propel the car forward, but it cannot hold the torque when you accelerate harder. The clutch will...
Red light showing a car with a lock is on?
Hi, thanks for writing in. I'd be happy to help. This is your car immobilizer light (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-do-the-immobilizer-warning-lights-mean-by-spencer-cates) that indicates the car is armed. The immobilizer, usually called Securi-Lock in Ford vehicles, is a passive anti-theft device that disables your vehicle’s...
Car turns over, but will not start. The accelerator pedal produces NO change in engine performance.
Hi there. Check the ignition system and see if the spark plugs have any spark. If the spark plugs (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/spark-plugs-replacement) have no spark, then check for power to the coil. If the there is no power to the coil, then...
How much to replace an automatic transmission to a manual
The PCM and TCM that you presently have are incompatible with a manual transmission. The PCM hardware and some engine controls, particularly relating to idle speed and electronic "dashpot", would be different too. The only way you could reliably do...
I took out my aftermarket anti theft system how can I reprogram it to be able to start my 2003 ford Explorer
If the check engine light is on, the diagnostic starts there, that is the Trouble Codes have to be downloaded and interpreted, especially in your circumstance as it is not clear from your inquiry that the no start is related...

Related articles

How to Buy a Good Quality Radiator
The The numerous moving parts of a vehicle are certain to rub together, causing friction which generates a generous amount of heat. The motor oil that is being pumped in as lubrication can only do so much – it can’t...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Carburetor
Common signs include reduced engine performance, black smoke coming from the exhaust, backfiring, overheating, or hard starting.
How to Troubleshoot Car Overheating Causes
Car overheating can be caused by low coolant, a faulty radiator fans, a broken serpentine belt, or a stuck thermostat. Stop driving an overheated car.