Soundproofing an EFi

[redmaestro]

HI all,

After my several dramas over the last few months (major oil leak, blowing exhaust, failing starter motor to name a few), my EFi is now running like a dream!!! But like everything else, there is always room for improvement. My father and I went for a drive on Saturday, and he make a comment on how noisy the car is inside.

Are there any ways of reducing the road noise in the car? The engine is fairly quiet, but the road noise it terrible, especially when I reach 60-70mph

Cheers in advance

redm

[G Force]

Hi There,

You could start by making sure that their isnt a problem, such as door alignment, faulty door seals, tailgate fully closing, have a good look in the floor under carpets make sure their are no holes in the floor, replace any missing grommets etc. check sunroof is sealing properly. If you decide every thing is ok and if you have a nice dry maestro inside try fitting under felt to carpets tape up holes in sills pack foam in body over rear arches. You could also make sure the sound deadening is fitted to underbonnet, try get one from a clubman diesel if not.

Just something to be going on with.

Regards gary;)

[Alan the Vanner]

Perhaps a lot of ICE fans would recommend Dynamat soundproofing, or similar. A cheaper way would be to use self adhesive tin foil flashing used for roofing. It's cheaper for me when you consider I have a van with a lot more "boot space". It will help to accoustically deaden the body panels and stop them "ringing" when driving along. Hope that helps. Al.:cool:

[E_T_V]

thanks for the info on the flashing I'll try that. The only place where that and dynamat is any good is where the panel resonates. Adding a small piece of this material changes the resonant frequency to a much different level and so quietens the panel. You only need a small amount of material to do this so you don't need to coat everything in it. I believe there is a company that makes extra thick felt carpet sets for the maestro. I'm sure someone will be along to give their name.

I am going to be attempting a similar thing in my camper van so I'll let you know how I get on. It is worth bearing in mind that tyres can cause a hell of a lot of road noise. If you've got a mate with a maestro it might be worth trying a different set of tyres to see what difference that makes.

I also think adding secondary door seals (from a rover 200 I think) is supposed to help. And the usual maestro ones are carp too.

Perhaps it seems a silly sugestion but it is always worth checking the rear windows are wound up fully too as with time they tend to undo themselves slightly and that causes a lot of wind noise.

You have to identify whether it is road noise, engine noise, or wind noise that you are trying to reduce so you can target the right areas. Which is the biggest problem for you?

[redmaestro]

Thanks for the tips peeps. It is deffo road noise I can hear, especially when I drive over different types or road surfaces. I can only hear road noise when it is blowing a gale outside. Also, inside the car is nice and dry, and is totally solid throughout.

If I put a thicker layer of foam inside the door panels and inside the boot etc, would that make a difference (my mates suggestion)? The only other alternative it to drive around at 30mph - even on the motorway - lol.

[redmaestro]

Thanks for the tips peeps. It is deffo road noise I can hear, especially when I drive over different types or road surfaces. I can only hear road noise when it is blowing a gale outside. Also, inside the car is nice and dry, and is totally solid throughout.

If I put a thicker layer of foam inside the door panels and inside the boot etc, would that make a difference (my mates suggestion)? The only other alternative it to drive around at 30mph - even on the motorway - lol.

[E_T_V]

If it is road noise it might well be the tyres. I'm guessing from your avatar they are quite wide ones. Try borrowing a set of skinny ones for a while to see what difference it makes. For a more permenant fix try that thick felt underlay under your carpets, and check all the suspension rubbers to make sure they are all ok and not split. (the rubber absorbs noise and vibration).

[SimonR]

Hi there, I have the same problem with my VP and a while ago I bought a sound deadening kit from Prestige Auto Trim (http://www.prestigeautotrim.co.uk/) for about £50. It's a very comprehensive kit, already cut to size as well.

Haven't fitted it yet because I'm in the process of a complete restoration of the car, so I can't tell you how effective it is. Can't be bad for £50 quid tho... :)

You can also get complete carpet sets which were very tempting indeed.

[E_T_V]

Thats the people I was trying to remember the name of..

[MaestroMatt]

I am in the same position as F153 - I have one of the Prestige sound deadening kits but haven't fitted it so I can't say if it is effective or not. It does look jolly good though. My car is actually pretty quiet anyway but there is definitely road noise that could be eliminated.

[Maria]

I have a Prestige kit fitted - sound deadening and nice new plush carpet - and it does make a big difference.