Thread: Patch holes in your engine bay?

Anyone got some good tricks/tips on patching up holes in the engine bay for wires and stuff you run through the firewall plus other stuff(intercooler piping, etc..)? I was thinking some sort of fire-resistant putty, but wasn't sure where you can buy that.

Something that will last for a while, keep air out, and be able to take apart if needed. So not something that will harden like cement.

Ideas?

They have the firewall style rubber grommets which I've seen people use for wire tucks and then paint right over them, and since they're rubber you can always remove them if you need to

I've considered the grommets, but they seem a pain to deal with. I need something I can use for how it's currently done. With a grommet I'd worry about it creating a good seal. I'm mainly concerned with the hole I drilled for all of my gauges. I know others have done the same. I'm leaning more towards a putty, but unsure what to get!

-G

Home depot expanding foam....

From the makers of POR-15: epoxy putty

EPOXY PUTTY

I need something pliable after drying so I can take lines out or insert new ones if needed.



how hard does this stuff get?

Hot glue? dries pretty hard and removeable with enough effort needed so it wont fall out on its own...cheap too.

I believe you could still poke through it, but would still hold its shape...

This sounds closest to what I'm thinking for. I'll have to see what I can do. Trying to keep exhaust fumes out of the inside of the car and also patch up some holes in the engine bay for better radiator air flow.

Thanks for all the ideas everyone!

How about an car audio sound deadening product like dynamat or alphadamp. You could cut it any size or shape to cover the hole you want. It's self adhesive and semi ridged. You could snake the wires under it or simply poke a hole through it. If poking hole, I would use a smooth metal or rubber grommet to ensure vibration didn't hog out the hole over the thousands of miles you'd drive after the fix. If running it under, make sure to line the original hole's edge with another small layer. The main thing running wires through metal body panels and why the rubber grommets are used in the first place is you want to prevent the sharp metal edges from cutting through the wire insulation over time. This is one of those "do it right the first time and do it once... If you don't, you'll be back at it again eventually."