Anyone seen this before?

[Steve_D]

The heat matt on the inner arches is in poor condition which many would consider just 'not very pretty' rather than being an issue.
However we have just found that it can be rather important.
During removal of a pedal box the padding behind the carpet was found to be burnt/melted.


Then behind that there is an area of the glass fibre where there is no longer any resin just the glass.


We are cutting out and laying up a new section.

I'm guessing this was just smouldering as the carpet itself is only slightly discoloured on the back rather than burnt.
I guess this could have had a very different outcome.

Steve

[BIG DUNC]

Thanks for the heads up Steve.

Was this a particularly powerful car or one that may have had engine issues in the past resulting in excessive exhaust gas temps?

[Steve_D]

BIG DUNC said:

Thanks for the heads up Steve.

Was this a particularly powerful car or one that may have had engine issues in the past resulting in excessive exhaust gas temps?

No just bog standard pre cat Griff with ACT manifolds.

Steve

[spitfire4v8]

A well known problem on the early cars, in fact when I worked at the dealers the bodyshop used to put shaped repair panels in. I *think* it was a factory sanctioned update .. I remember part of the servicing schedule (or it might have just been consciencious dealers doing these tests) was to put pressure on the affected area and listen/feel for the fibreglass crunching. If it did the manifolds were removed and the body shop put a shaped repair section in. I'm pretty sure there was a factory bulletin about it ?

[BIG DUNC]

Steve_D said:

No just bog standard pre cat Griff with ACT manifolds.

Steve

Ut Oh!! That is exactly what I have.

I have already replaced the inner wing insulation though.

[phazed]

spitfire4v8 said:

I'm pretty sure there was a factory bulletin about it ?

That made me smile! Did they really give out bulletins?

[spitfire4v8]

phazed said:

spitfire4v8 said:

I'm pretty sure there was a factory bulletin about it ?

That made me smile! Did they really give out bulletins?

Yes they were surprisingly pro-active on that. The early cerberas were the subject of something like 60 updates to be carried out! The cars were in for about a week each.