Did they use asbestos as a bulkhead heat shield in 1986?

[japaneseskoda]

Well I bought a mobile home a few months ago. Its an Arca Europa and is a C reg 1986 based on a Peugeot J5 van and fitted out at some plant in Italy.

When I open the bonnet and look at the engine, just behind it is the bulk head, there is a silver foil heat shield (I think) attached to it, at the edge of it the silver foil type stuff is perished a little and I can see a yellow fibre substance protruding, a bit like that stuff in the loft you use to insulate your house.

Would they have used asbestos fibre heatr shields on this vehicle in 1986?

[john2443]

In industry by 1986 we were using a grey slab sort of material that looked like asbestos but was asbestos free, so it had gone out of use by then if that helps!?

[Nice But Dim]

https://osha.europa.eu/en/campaigns/asbestos/legis...

[japaneseskoda]

Thanks for the info John. It just plays on my mind a bit. I will probably cut a strand of fibre off and send it for testing somewhere. The Arca coachbuilders when converting from a Peugeot J5 bus extended the glass windscreen forward past the engine leaving a cover to be fitted over the then open cabin meets engine, not metal but a piece of wooden board! Makes me wonder if the fibres could enter the cabin through the gaps or even through the heater vents. Jeez I'm probably paranoid but the bed is above the front seats so you want to feel safe. I was reading about merican campers using asbestos for insulation too. Think I might just sell the thing and go back to tents

[carreauchompeur]

Meh, the real risk is probably more like careering off a mountain road in your tin tent...

[4key]

The Italians were comparatively quick off the mark with it and it was completely banned by 1992, as said there were many other products that were being used that didn't have asbestos in them by then. It's better to be safe than sorry and to look into it as much as you can, but I wouldn't place hazmat stickers all over your van yet