I realize this is the middle of the winter, but I redid my suspension today and that entailed taking the cowl off. I remember someone mentioning that the location of the air vent is why the air gets hot, but I cannot find the thread.

This is the vent, shown with the lower pan installed:


That is where the ventilation system draws in its air.

There is some insulation on there from the factory, but evidentially it is not enough:


Lets get to the fix, start by removing the factory insulation. Those white clips just unscrew by hand.

Then, clean the area where the insulation was very well, I went from the driver's side edge of the stock insulation to the far passenger side edge.

The fix is simple, just apply lots of aluminum backed "Dynamat" type material. I used Damplifier Pro from Second Skin Audio. Be careful not to cover any of the holes, and just let the studs poke through. Be careful not to bend the pan as you install this stuff. Here is what looked like after it was insulated and the matting was properly pushed down:


Then just reinstall the factory insulation and you are done!


Now, it is the middle of winter, so I don't know how well this works, but it has to have SOME effect. I think it will almost completely solve the problem.

 

Let us know how it goes when the warm weather comes around

 

sheesh if only i understood how to remove the damn cowl...

tips? i felt kinda awkward trying to force the wipers off...

 

Open hood.
Pull off caps on wiper ends by hand.
Remove nuts holding wipers on.
Mark location of wipers with masking tape on the windshield.
Pull the wipers straight off...rocking side to side/front to back helps.

 

Alternate solution: Leave A/C on.

Seriously though, nice write-up!

 

Thanks. theoretically, this should improve the efficiency of the AC system as well. Cooler intake air means a cooler output temperature and a reduced duty cycle on the compressor. I guess that means A/C-on fuel mileage would be be improved, but probably by something ridiculous like 0.05 mpg.