Hood insulation and other issues.

[Guitarshredder7]

Hey all, I am new to this site so please correct me if I posted this in the wrong section. I just picked up a whiteout 2014 MT FRS with 46k miles. I opened the hood to find the hood insulation being strangely worn away. I also noticed the AC compressor had a strange wire issue. Can anyone help identity what the problem is? I hope the vehicle hasn’t had an engine fire or anything of that nature. It seems to work properly and the engine bay looks clean.

[Guitarshredder7]

Images

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Guitarshredder7

Hey all, I am new to this site so please correct me if I posted this in the wrong section. I just picked up a whiteout 2014 MT FRS with 46k miles. I opened the hood to find the hood insulation being strangely worn away. I also noticed the AC compressor had a strange wire issue. Can anyone help identity what the problem is? I hope the vehicle hasn’t had an engine fire or anything of that nature. It seems to work properly and the engine bay looks clean.

Hello Guitarshredder7 and welcome to the gang ........

Congratulations on your purchase ......

That wire/connector does look like it has either been overheated at one time or some critter has been chewing on it.

You could replace it ....... however, if everything works OK, I wouldn't bother it.

As far as the insulation looking funny, if it doesn't look or smell burnt ...... my guess is that the same critter used some of it to make a nest.

I wouldn't worry about that either .....unless it bugs you ...... then replace it.


humfrz

[Guitarshredder7]

Thanks for the reply! And it doesn’t smell burnt at all. I’m just curious as to why that wire would have overheated in the first place. Is that a common issue? And I had another question, I have owned a few manual transmission vehicles in the past and none seem to make as much driveline noise or have as much “clunkyness” to them as the FRS. Is this a normal thing?

[CB750F]

1 - Yes, it's a noisy car.
2 - Yes, clunky, some guys changed the oil & for some it worked other it did not.

Plz search the forum as these issues have been brought up many, many times.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Guitarshredder7

Thanks for the reply! And it doesn’t smell burnt at all. I’m just curious as to why that wire would have overheated in the first place. Is that a common issue? And I had another question, I have owned a few manual transmission vehicles in the past and none seem to make as much driveline noise or have as much “clunkyness” to them as the FRS. Is this a normal thing?

As far as I know, that knurly looking wire is not a common thing.

You may wish to fire up the car, run the AC and see if it gets hotter than it should.

The transmission in these cars is relatively noisy because:

* not much insulation used in these cars

* you are practically sitting on top of it

* it's inherently noisy


humfrz

[why?]

The engine bays in these cars can get extremely hot. If you plan on racing of any type it is suggested an oil cooler is worth looking in to, although for NC there is a chance it won't be needed.

The transmission is a little wonky and when it is cold you should take it easy, but when it warms up to temp it is pretty good. Definitely changing the fluid to Motul helps.

[ZZT86]

Worn hood insulation due to previously fitted turbo charger ?

[Guitarshredder7]

Thanks for all the replies guys! I will definitely be doing a tranny fluid change. Also, the thought of a previous owner having a turbo on the car crossed my mind. However, upon further investigation, I discovered a lot of... well... rat/squirrel $hit in the engine bay. It gives me some piece of mind knowing the car was never subject forced induction before me!

[Decep]

I had a buncha mouse turds and pee caked onto my engine block too. Luckily no chewed wiring though.

I took it to a DIY car wash, kept the engine running, and went to town hosing everything off. Just dont aim any at the battery, alternator, or air intake lol. I made sure to drive it on the highway hard afterwards to make sure all the water boiled off/blew off.

[Guitarshredder7]

Thanks for the advice. I am definitely gonna clean it up. It is pretty nasty under there. Its funny cause after I drive hard, it always starts to smell pretty nasty too

[guybo]

Hard to see from those pics, but melted looks a lot different from chewed. What does it look like to you?

If it's just chewed, check for bare wires and wrap everything with electrical tape and re-seal it. Then you need to figure out if the critters are still around and evict them.

[Guitarshredder7]

It definitely looks chewed. I’m taking some components off to clean all the rat crap out of there and I’ll make sure to check for any lingering critters while I’m there.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Guitarshredder7

It definitely looks chewed. I’m taking some components off to clean all the rat crap out of there and I’ll make sure to check for any lingering critters while I’m there.

Here ya go …….


humfrz