Heat Shield

[IckleMel]

Hello

This is my first car related post (and I am a girl..) so please be nice to me!

How important is the heat shield above the exhaust (underneath the car) as it is hanging off and therefore rattling against the exhaust and underside of the car. Can I just remove it or should I really get it repaired?

I understand that it is probably there for a reason but wasn't 100% sure how essential it is.

Please note that I have a 2001 Fiesta if that makes any difference.

Many thanks
Mel

[powwerr]

rip it off and bin it. Pointless bit of metal.

[Egg Chaser]

powwerr said:

rip it off and bin it. Pointless bit of metal.

This.

[Fish981]

powwerr said:

rip it off and bin it. Pointless bit of metal.

Until the grease in the gearchang linkage dries out.

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

It's there for a reason.
You may be able to clamp it down and stop it rattling with one of these

It's called a hose clip - but you can buy bigger versions from Motor factors and DIY shops.

[stewjohnst]

Dr Doofenshmirtz said:

It's there for a reason.
You may be able to clamp it down and stop it rattling with one of these

It's called a hose clip - but you can buy bigger versions from Motor factors and DIY shops.

Hope you're not being sexist and assuming she can't weld?

[gareth.e]

stewjohnst said:

Dr Doofenshmirtz said:

It's there for a reason.
You may be able to clamp it down and stop it rattling with one of these

It's called a hose clip - but you can buy bigger versions from Motor factors and DIY shops.

Hope you're not being sexist and assuming she can't weld?

Actually, I think he just assumed she doesnt even know what a hose clip is

[ludicrous speed]

It should be fine without it, my focus had heat shield rattles and i found out most people just ripped them off. Took the one off the cat and had no problems.

[Man from UNCLE]

What happens is they split/crack around the fixings. It wouldn't harm to lose it but I think if it were mine I'd get some penny washers, remove the fixings apply penny washers & replace fixings. Certainly not a hard job & it should last a good few years.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/10,-M6-x-50mm-MUDGUARD-%2f-P...

[IckleMel]

gareth.e said:

stewjohnst said:

Dr Doofenshmirtz said:

It's there for a reason.
You may be able to clamp it down and stop it rattling with one of these

It's called a hose clip - but you can buy bigger versions from Motor factors and DIY shops.

Hope you're not being sexist and assuming she can't weld?

Actually, I think he just assumed she doesnt even know what a hose clip is

Thanks for the advice... I do know what a hose clip is but yes you were right to assume that I can't weld

I (well my other half) has taken it off before the rattling drives me mad..... will keep an eye out for anything else going wrong that might be related...

Oh btw does anyone know where I can get a replacement 710 cap?

[seagrey]

ludicrous speed said:

It should be fine without it, my focus had heat shield rattles and i found out most people just ripped them off. Took the one off the cat and had no problems.

Apart from cooking everything around it as you get massive heat soak off of a cat,the shield also stops thermal shock if you hit a puddle.

Same sort of thing happened to a customers 520 Bmw once,a rear one,over the rear suspension past the tank part.
A mobile mechanic removed it,two days later the petrol tank burst into flames while sitting idling in traffic.
A lot of cars have airbag modules and other such sensetive kit mounted in the centre cosole or the bottom of the dash bolted to the tunnel,
Usually right above the cat or a hot exhaust box and anything near the rear is getting close to the petrol tank area.
Yes tanks and modules are tested to resist heat,etc. but would you take the chance for the cost of some repair washers or jubilee clips?