Rep Power: 0

Hello,
I have been reading the forum for related heat shield questions but couldn't find the exact answer. I had rattling about a year and a half ago, basically the bottom part of the heat shield on the cat converter was rusted and was ripping off. The auto place cut it off and my dad actually used clamps and put it back up. It had a few holes but was mostly in tact. Over the last couple months it began to really rattle more, so a friend of mine unscrewed the clamps and we took off the bottom part. It continued to still make the rattling noice, so we thought there might me something wrong with the cat converter itself, but it turns out the top part of the heat shield was really rusted as well and was causing the rattling. My friend took that off as well and the loud rattling has stopped.

My question is can that cause any real problems? I know with the bottom off, they say not to park over any leaves or high grass, but can having the top heat shield off cause any problems? There is another shield above the cat converter that should stop heat from getting into the cabin. I have heard people say that they have taken off their heat shields and have no problem but I didn't know if that only pertains to the lower shield on the cat converter or the upper as well.

Any input would be helpful. I usally only drive this car to and from work. If I go back home or on a longer drive or have my wife and son with me, I use my 4 door car.

Thanks,

 
Rep Power: 517

Yes, they rust away and rattle. Yes, they are annoying at times.

I can tell you that the heat shield is there for safety reasons because the cat can operate normally at 500*F + (and over 1000 degrees F when there are severe misfires), and I can also tell you that there are many, many cars that are running around without the shields, with no apparent problems.

I have not yet heard of anyone having their carpet catch on fire because their heat shield was missing.
I HAVE HEARD of field and brush fires started because of the cat though, so be careful where you park if the shields are missing.

Note here that I did not tell you to remove them, and did not approve of removing them. (*wink*) I'm just telling you to watch out and don't start a fire while yours are missing.

HTH

 
Rep Power: 0

Thank You very much for your input. I am very careful where I park and am not too concerned about that. I was more worried about the top heat shield on the cat converter. I knew that there is one more shield above it but wasn't too sure if removing that top one would make my vehicle unsafe.