Underhood Heat Blanket Is it a Common Problem???

[Dadman1950]

Looks like I need some help here. Hey Junkman can you shed some light on this? Sorry to pull you away from the C7 forum but I need some help and advice.
The thermal heat blanket on my C5 FRC is damaged only in the area directly over the alternator and I need to replace it. At sometime in its life (before I owned it) it appears that the Alternator damaged the blanket somehow - possibly rubbing or a frayed or broken belt. I'm not sure how, and was wondering if other C5 owners have had the same issue.
So I have a few questions:
First is it a common occurance for the Alternator to damage the heat blanket? If so what causes it? Is the blanket too thick there and presses on the alternator and as a result the alternator damages it by rubbing on it? Have other owners had to remove part of the blanket to prevent heat build up in the alternator? Obvisouly it is not a good idea to cover the alternator which would cause heat build up. Does the factory blanket (which is the one on it currently) cover it and cause heat build up in the alternator?
Second: Are there any tricks to removing the blanket? How do you remove the plastic buttons without breaking them? Is the factory installed heat blanket glued to the hood? I saw an aftermarket replacement where the installation procedures said to glue the pad on which I really didn't want to do. I did not buy that one, I bought a GM replacement. Need your help and please be specific. because when it comes to my mechanical ability I have difficulty replacing a fuse!!!!

Would also like to hear from others if they have also had the same issue or know of other issues with their heat blankets. Thanks

[BWF07]

Originally Posted by Dadman1950

Looks like I need some help here. Hey Junkman can you shed some light on this? Sorry to pull you away from the C7 forum but I need some help and advice.
The thermal heat blanket on my C5 FRC is damaged only in the area directly over the alternator and I need to replace it. At sometime in its life (before I owned it) it appears that the Alternator damaged the blanket somehow - possibly rubbing or a frayed or broken belt. I'm not sure how, and was wondering if other C5 owners have had the same issue.
So I have a few questions:
First is it a common occurance for the Alternator to damage the heat blanket? If so what causes it? Is the blanket too thick there and presses on the alternator and as a result the alternator damages it by rubbing on it? Have other owners had to remove part of the blanket to prevent heat build up in the alternator? Obvisouly it is not a good idea to cover the alternator which would cause heat build up. Does the factory blanket (which is the one on it currently) cover it and cause heat build up in the alternator?
Second: Are there any tricks to removing the blanket? How do you remove the plastic buttons without breaking them? Is the factory installed heat blanket glued to the hood? I saw an aftermarket replacement where the installation procedures said to glue the pad on which I really didn't want to do. I did not buy that one, I bought a GM replacement. Need your help and please be specific. because when it comes to my mechanical ability I have difficulty replacing a fuse!!!!

Would also like to hear from others if they have also had the same issue or know of other issues with their heat blankets. Thanks

I cannot answer how it got damaged, but I owned a C5 for almost 7 years and had no issue with the alt. do any damage.
Now to removing the plastic tabs, I simply got my fingers under them and worked them back and forth while applying a little downward pressure. They all came out easily without breaking. Next, no it is not clued to the underside of the hood. I removed mine on a few times and never had an issue.

[Junkman2008]

Originally Posted by Dadman1950

Looks like I need some help here. Hey Junkman can you shed some light on this? Sorry to pull you away from the C7 forum but I need some help and advice.
The thermal heat blanket on my C5 FRC is damaged only in the area directly over the alternator and I need to replace it. At sometime in its life (before I owned it) it appears that the Alternator damaged the blanket somehow - possibly rubbing or a frayed or broken belt. I'm not sure how, and was wondering if other C5 owners have had the same issue.
So I have a few questions:
First is it a common occurance for the Alternator to damage the heat blanket?

No.

Originally Posted by Dadman1950

If so what causes it? Is the blanket too thick there and presses on the alternator and as a result the alternator damages it by rubbing on it? Have other owners had to remove part of the blanket to prevent heat build up in the alternator?

No, no, no, no, no.

Originally Posted by Dadman1950

Obvisouly it is not a good idea to cover the alternator which would cause heat build up. Does the factory blanket (which is the one on it currently) cover it and cause heat build up in the alternator?

You are way off base in your assumption. None of what you are thinking has ever happened to anyone I know.

Originally Posted by Dadman1950

Second: Are there any tricks to removing the blanket? How do you remove the plastic buttons without breaking them?

The easiest way is to get a fork tool that is used to remove door panels. Or you can just pull them out by hand. They won't break if you don't get crazy with them.

Originally Posted by Dadman1950

Is the factory installed heat blanket glued to the hood?

No.

Originally Posted by Dadman1950

I saw an aftermarket replacement where the installation procedures said to glue the pad on which I really didn't want to do.

I would like to see that link. I have NEVER heard of glue being a requirement.

Originally Posted by Dadman1950

I did not buy that one, I bought a GM replacement. Need your help and please be specific. because when it comes to my mechanical ability I have difficulty replacing a fuse!!!!

Would also like to hear from others if they have also had the same issue or know of other issues with their heat blankets. Thanks

You are worrying about something that is not an issue. Just pull the tabs out and replace the liner. It is best if someone helps you. The liner is too flimsy to be trying to install by yourself.

[Patrick]

I took the hood liner off on my C5 Z and tossed it in the trash. Never had any issues running without one and I raced it hard.

I later covered that area with motor oil.

Not intentionally, of course. The motor let go.

[Junkman2008]

Originally Posted by Patrick

I took the hood liner off on my C5 Z and tossed it in the trash. Never had any issues running without one and I raced it hard.

I later covered that area with motor oil.

Not intentionally, of course. The motor let go.

The hood liner would have not helped you in that case! But hey, you looked good!

[glen_72]

Hello,
First Post in the C5 Section, just got a 98 Bone Stock Coupe daily driver two months ago and I have the underhood heat blanket with the alternator area kinda roughed up. This post calls it a heat blanket, but not sure the advantage of keeping the heat in, but maybe keeping the noise in?

I kinda figured this is caused by the EMF (Electromagnetic Field) from the alternator. I thought this EMF problem was common and would just happen again with a new shield. For what the shield does, I may just take a razor and cut off the pills this winter and call it good .

Anyway, attached is a picture of the problem. Best one I have check out the top left corner. Forgot how to insert a picture in the body of the post. In the middle of sanding out the targa. Up to 1500 grit, hope to be polishing soon. Heading back out to garage and try to figure out how to insert a picture later.

G

[Junkman2008]

If you are talking about the damage to the hood liner, you are WAY OVER-THINKING THIS. Something, most likely a belt that broke, damaged the hood liner but it definitely wasn't a magnetic field. This is not rocket science so don't turn it into that. Just replace the hood liner and be done with it.

[The Bad]

Congrats on you 98!

Originally Posted by glen_72

This post calls it a heat blanket, but not sure the advantage of keeping the heat in, but maybe keeping the noise in?

It protects your hood from the heat off the motor.

[Choreo]

Originally Posted by glen_72

Hello,

I kinda figured this is caused by the EMF (Electromagnetic Field) from the alternator. I thought this EMF problem was common and would just happen again with a new shield.

G

EMF reacting with cloth?

I have had this hoodliner for years - no EMF damage..

[Junkman2008]

Hell, I wouldn't have spent $1200 on my hood liner if there was a chance of any kind of electromagnetic melt down of any type!