Split Loom Deterioration

Marauder 1 · Post by **Marauder 1** » 19 Oct 2016, 11:39

I was working under the hood of the V70 last night and noticed much of the plastic split loom has deteriorated to the point if you touch it it falls to pieces. I had some in my tool kit but I'm wondering if I need to replace it with a different type. I've found some high heat stuff but I've been looking for something that will not be so susceptible to heat and deterioration. Does anyone know of some with a heat shield?
Thanks
Mark

fixer333 · Post by **fixer333** » 20 Oct 2016, 01:25

Mt 2007 xc70 was the same way. The worst loom was the one for the coil packs( has most heat, on top of the head under the plastic cover).Injector loom was bad also and any area that has high heat.I have worked on cars( all makes / models) for years and have never seen looms rotted like this. The plastic in these looms is sub par. I just went to the auto parts store and bought several sizes of split plastic loom( Doorman brand) I have used this before and it has lasted well in higher heat areas. Dont use electrical tape to wrap the looms. The best performing, most durable and easy to use is self bonding silicon tape, It has no glue to soften and melt out everywhere , making a mess. You just wrap it on and it sticks to itself to make a permanent bond and is good up to 500 degrees.

Marauder 1 · Post by **Marauder 1** » 20 Oct 2016, 10:57

Thanks for the reply, I was looking at the Doorman stuff it's not expensive so that is not an issue. Great idea with the silicon tape. Did you use a particular brand? Looks like a project to replace all of it in the high heat areas, then work out from there. Again it's good to know I'm not the only one seeing this.
Seeya
Mark

fixer333 · Post by **fixer333** » 20 Oct 2016, 13:35

I used" Rescue tape" because that is what they had at the local ace hardware, but it was expensive there( worked very well and was easy to use) , about $11 a roll and it took 2 1/2 rolls.I only used continuous wraps where the factory did( wrapped it just like the factory did). I have seen prices anywhere from $5 -$12 for about 10 feet. Home depot and lowes carry different types in the their plumbing and tape areas. Duck brand is about the cheapest I have seen and they usually make good stuff. Harbor freight has some cheap, but it is supposed to be very hard to use. The loom I used should hold up better than the OEM, but there is probably better out there. I forgot to mention all most all of the pieces of tape I used , even the long ones , were 1" tape cut in half lengthwise...so 1/2 " wide. I found this easier to use and it double the length you get off the roll. It cuts really easy.

Post by **mtd240** » 21 Oct 2016, 12:37

I have noticed that on my new (to me) '07. Looks like a mouse gnawed all of it. Maybe that's what happened. Anyway, here is a link to some of the silicon tape - I bought it for my 240 a couple years ago, and still have some left, so that's probably what I'll be doing.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002L ... =UTF8&th=1

Canadian Moose · Post by **Canadian Moose** » 22 Oct 2016, 11:10

I think when Ford took over they went all out in cost cutting and that was their way of saving a dime. They use cheap, Chinese loom. When I swapped the motor in mine I ended up replacing all of the loom and wrapping the entire thing with electrical tape. I like using Tesa cloth fabric tape. It seems to hold up better than regular vinyl and stays more flexible.

Marauder 1 · Post by **Marauder 1** » 22 Oct 2016, 21:36

Do you guys think this condition might be more likely to happen on a Turbo model due to the heat? I did notice that the portions under the electrical tape were actually in good shape. So the extra layer of plastic seem to keep the plastic safe. I wonder if anyone makes a foil heat shielded split loom? I haven't checked up under the plastic cover yet, I'm sure it's the same story there.
Thanks
Mark

fixer333 · Post by **fixer333** » 23 Oct 2016, 00:34

Marauder 1 wrote:Do you guys think this condition might be more likely to happen on a Turbo model due to the heat? I did notice that the portions under the electrical tape were actually in good shape. So the extra layer of plastic seem to keep the plastic safe. I wonder if anyone makes a foil heat shielded split loom? I haven't checked up under the plastic cover yet, I'm sure it's the same story there.
Thanks
Mark

Its definitely worse where the loom was exposed to high heat ( right near the block /touching the head ) and especially under the plastic cover on the head( the coil pack loom). Virtually all of mine( under the cover) turned to dust when touched. Even the wiring itself is some what heat damaged , dry / brittle. I know foils will reflect radiant heat away , but under that cover the ambient temps are very high also , so I don't know if the foil would make much difference? It might. Here is some wrap that you could put over the loom. http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/e ... 090&rt=rud
and http://www.haywireinc.com/index.cfm/pag ... prd243.htm

Marauder 1 · Post by **Marauder 1** » 28 Oct 2016, 11:47

Thanks for the replay and the info.

That's some interesting stuff, I've used their glass tape before for rebuilding transformers for audio amps. It's good stuff but make sure you use gloves when using it. I was thinking more of using something along these lines http://www.jegs.com/p/Vibrant-Performan ... 4/10002/-1 But I don't know if the diameter is correct.

Also do you think having an aluminum wrap that close to the coils might create any issues? I would think if the insulator boots on the coils are in good shape it shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks again
Mark
Now looking to ad a XC70 to my collection