Plastic wire cover flakes off.

[Grant]

I was looking under my hood earlier and saw some leaves/junk/what have you… behind my alternator. While I went to dig it out I moved aside one wire and the plastic covering fell off in pieces.

Will the fact that this part of the wire is exposed cause any problems? The wire itself runs behind the alternator, maybe into it couldn’t tell, and above the engine. Part of this wire was already exposed closer to the alternator so it may not.

Topic

[Mike]

That plastic conduit/wire shield can be bought quite cheaply at any auto parts store.

It’s there primarily to protect the wires from abrasion, and from liquid spills and leaks. Over time it gets brittle and falls apart, as you found out. My thinking is that if the manufacturer felt it was necessary to use it, it’s something you should replace when you get the chance.

[Cameron]

[quote=”Evil-i” post=138461]That plastic conduit/wire shield can be bought quite cheaply at any auto parts store.

It’s there primarily to protect the wires from abrasion, and from liquid spills and leaks. Over time it gets brittle and falls apart, as you found out. My thinking is that if the manufacturer felt it was necessary to use it, it’s something you should replace when you get the chance.[/quote]

+1 on that.
Definitely replace the conduit shield asap. Without the conduit the now exposed protective insulation around the wiring itself will also deteriorate much faster, especially with heat exposure inside the engine bay.

[Author]

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