Hood Insulation – Removal

Overview

This procedure guides you through removing the old hood insulation from your Porsche 944 S / S2 with its 16v engine. Over time, aging insulation—if present—can flake off, leaving debris across the engine bay, which is hard to clean. The S / S2, as a late-model 944, often shipped without factory hood insulation, but if yours has it (original or aftermarket), removing it keeps your engine compartment neat. You can replace it with new insulation or leave it off, as Porsche intended for many S / S2s.

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Tools Required

• Soft cloth
• Plastic scraper
• 3M Woodgrain and Trim Remover
• Soft blanket, large rug, or large soft piece of carpet (to lay hood on while removing insulation)
• 10mm (3/8 inch) wrench (for S2 hood hinge bolts)
• Broom stick (cut to length) or professional hood prop

Step-by-Step Procedure

Step 1: Remove the Hood

1. Gather an assistant to help you, as the S / S2’s hood is heavy and awkward to lift alone.
2. Disconnect all hoses for the windshield washer nozzles, located under the hood near the firewall on the S / S2.
3. Disconnect the wires for the washer nozzle heaters, typically bundled near the nozzles on the S / S2’s hood underside.
4. Detach the hood shocks by unclipping them from their mounts on the hood and body—standard for the S / S2.
5. Prop up the hood with a broom stick cut to length or a professional hood prop to keep it securely open.
6. Locate the hood hinge bolts (two per side). Using a 10mm (3/8 inch) wrench, loosen and remove these bolts to detach the hood from the S / S2’s hinges.
7. With your assistant, lift the hood off the car and place it upside down on a soft blanket, rug, or carpet to protect the paint.

Step 2: Remove the Old Insulation

8. Use your hands or a plastic scraper to peel away as much of the old hood insulation as possible from the S / S2’s hood. Remove the bulk, leaving mostly adhesive behind.

Step 3: Clean Off the Adhesive

9. Apply 3M Woodgrain and Trim Remover to the adhesive on the  S / S2’s hood underside. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to soften it.
10. Gently rub the softened adhesive with a soft cloth to remove it. Avoid scrapers here, as the remover may soften the paint, risking damage.

Step 4: Finish the Surface

11. Wash the cleaned area with soap and water to remove any residue from the trim remover.
12. Dry the surface completely with a clean cloth.
13. Apply a coat of wax to the underside of the S / S2’s hood for protection and a polished look.

Post Procedure Checklist

• Inspect the S / S2’s hood underside to ensure all insulation and adhesive are gone.
• Check that the paint is intact and the wax is evenly applied.
• Confirm the hood hinges and bolts are ready for reinstallation if you’re putting the hood back on.

Sources

• Clark’s Garage
• Pelican Parts
• Porsche 944 Workshop Manual, Volume 1
• Youtube