Topic: Saturn Sky 2.4L engine insulation

[rwatts]

Hello everyone,

  I purchased my 2009 Saturn Sky 2.4L (no turbo) in September and I had the dealer replace the thermostat at purchase.  Yesterday, I wanted to change out the spark plugs and I took the engine cover off to find no insulation on top of the engine, the wirers going to the insulation to pluges falling off (probably from the heat), and a wrench left on top of the engine with the hand grips melting onto the engine.  Now that I'm over the shock, does anyone know if this car would have had engine insulation?  If so, I seem to only find the 2.0L turbo insulation on eBay, will that fit?  Finally, my other car is in the shop, so I kind of have to drive this car right now, so if I wrap the wires with high heat fabric tape (rated for 300F) am I ok to drive this until I can get the insulation for the engine?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

[Sol Asylum]

I can't say what the 2.4 would have I would recommend you check one of the online parts sites like gm parts giant.  On my other Pontiacs there is a material under the engine cover that is more of a sound proofing than a temp control.  As for the wiring they used a black plastic shielding to keep the wires in a bundle.  Over time I have noticed that plastic shield tends to crumble.  As long as you don't have bare exposed wire it shouldn't be an issue.  The insulation on the wires themselves should have a pretty high temp rating on its own.  Clean up the wrench grip material and you should be ok.

[Sly Bob]

Like SA I don't believe the material on the top of the engine is for anything but noise. Wrapping the wires as you suggested would be a good way to secure things going forward.
The rubber that is on the handle of the wrench you found melts at low temperatures, so much so that it'll melt if you leave it in the car on a hot summer day so I wouldn't worry too much about that. Plenty of people choose to run the engine without any covers at all without issue, enjoy!

[Sly Bob]

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Just looked at GMpartsgiant and yeah, it's listed as a sound absorber and still available it seems if you're so inclined.

[Steelmesh]

I've had good success making my own wire loom covers with aluminized fiberglass mat, I hand sewed velcro on and cut reliefs so fit up is good. Recently I tried out a roll of something like this that is premade with velcro and then I used stainless wire ties to ensure it stays together: https://www.amazon.com/Aluminized-Sleeving-Express-Protection-Barrier/dp/B08CRSJP9W