Bulkhead sound proofing - Is it asbestos based?

Post by **Dean** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 10:36 pm

http://www.morrisminoroc.co.uk/index.ph ... t=asbestos

Hi guys found this thread (see link above) which is old and the generalisation is, that the bulkhead sound proofing isn't asbestos. Does everyone still have the same opinions? The reason I'm asking is mine needs renewing and is flaking fibres everywhere, so I just want to get it out.

Thanks for your help.

Dean.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:05 pm

I'm sure the standard insulation is NOT asbestos - but what's in your car is another matter! 'Flaking' doesn't sound like normal insulation! Any pics ?

Post by **FrankM83** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:08 pm

was different sound proffing used over the years? as I remember dismantling one of my early cars I beleive it was the 53 van the soundproofing really started faking when touching it but when I removed the sound proofing off the 70 van it looks different and more like the soundproofing you get from suppliers like ESM

Post by **Dean** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 6:32 pm

OK piccy's as requested. I have paid particular attention to the tear in the black stuff behind the battery box. It's a brown in colour (behind the black covering) and brown fibres become airborne when touched. It's very very dry and flakes off very easily when played with.

Ta again. <br>

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Post by **Dean** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 6:32 pm

And another.
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Post by **PSL184** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 6:42 pm

Nothing looking like asbestos on any of our cars but a similar looking mat which seems to be covered by a rubbery type material and backed by something resembling horse hair.....?
I think I'm gonna talk to some suppliers about Dynomat or similar though as it don't seem all that effective.... !!

Post by **Dean** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 7:04 pm

Hi PSL, being a in my thirties I couldn't tell you what asbestos really looks like. I know there are many different types still in service, the most common being the white stuff that you find in corrugated sheets. I believe there was brown and blue asbestos used in many different applications.

I just wanted to satisfy myself I wasn't disturbing anything dangerous. If it is I'd rather just damp it down cut it out wearing a mask and paper overalls and ditch the lot.

Post by **PSL184** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 7:15 pm

Hi Dean. I think sensible approach for any "unknown" substance is to wear protective clothing, gloves, mask etc. Put it all into a sealed bin liner and take to the tip. I guess it is possible that asbestos could have been used but I think it unlikely for sound deadening. When I learnt to weld it was with gas equipment and we used to wet big lumps of asbestos based wadding to stop heat transfer from warping the panel we were welding!!!! I'm not suggesting you try this at home but I'm still alive and kicking now so it didn't do any harm

It is the airbourne fibres that can harm you though so if you're not sure go for safe removal and disposal then speak to JLH or similar about safe soundproofing. I think you have raised a good point and unless someone can definately say what the material is then maybe we should all check our cars for whats left in there from the good old days

Post by **alex_holden** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 7:40 pm

I've come across asbestos in the exhaust heatshield panel and a couple of gaskets. Although I can't say for 100% certain, I'm pretty confident the bulkhead sound deadening material is not asbestos. The fact that I accidentally set fire to mine with angle grinder sparks is a pretty good indication...

Post by **PSL184** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 7:42 pm

Yes thats true - if it burns its definately not asbestos !!

Post by **Dean** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:05 pm

Thank you... thank you.. thank you... thank you... I can't thank you enough, you have really eased my mind now. I'll still damp it down and wear a mask, but it's nice to know I won't have asbestos fibres floating around the moggy cabin.

Cheers again Dean.

Post by **moggydriver62** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 11:37 am

If I can remember ,it was sme kind of felt.
The flaking is probably battery acid eating
the felt.

Post by **moggydriver62** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 11:52 am

P S .If it is don't breath the dust.

Post by **Peetee** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:17 pm

I'll still damp it down and wear a mask

Definitely. the stuff I have removed is fibrous matting and is very unpleasant. get a hoover attatchment in there and get rid of the loose bits. you find a whole heap at the front edge of the metal shelf that forms the base of the dashboard (below the glovebox liners, where it joins the bulkhead)

Post by **alanworland** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:22 pm

I thought the material was a sort of 'horse hair' type matting, and yes mine is all falling to bits!

Post by **bigginger** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 10:43 pm

Get yourself an LCV - they have about 9 10ths less of the stuff... Agreed though, it's foul stuff, but not (I'd say, Mr Unqualified) asbestos