If the holes are too wide, fender washers can make up for that extra space. Bolt: In some cases, you may be able to install new nuts and bolts to reaffix a bolt-on heat shield.Be careful, as both the thin metal heat shield and exhaust pipe may burn through. Weld: If you have access to a welder, you may be able to tack the heat shield to the exhaust.Here are a few ways to fix your rattling heat shield: The best way to fix a rattling heat shield is to replace it or reaffix it. Because the heat shields are designed to protect other car parts from the extreme heat of the exhaust, removing them completely could cause premature failure of other components or even fire. Some don’t see much use for a rattling heat shield, so they simply remove them and discard them, but this can be a problem. Vibrations can weaken the metal, causing a heat shield to fall off, rattling against the exhaust or some other part of the vehicle. All metal exposed to the atmosphere corrodes, but heat speeds up the process, so clamps, bolts or welds can rust to nothing, leading to a loose heat shield. Fittingly, the parts the heat shields are designed to protect often cause their failure. Made of thin metal sheets, heat shields deflect much of the extreme heat, some affixed to the exhaust system and others affixed to parts needing protection.Įxhaust heat shields fail for a couple of reasons: rust and vibration. Plastic and rubber parts can melt or become brittle, electric motors and sensors can fail, and dry grass or paper can spontaneously combust. Exhaust Heat Shields - What Are They Rattling For? The rest of the exhaust system typically measures 300 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Catalytic converters are particularly hot - they only begin functioning between 400 and 600 degrees Fahrenheit, and normally range between 1,200 and 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit. In some cases, a loose heat shield could be a major problem.īecause the primary purpose of the exhaust system is to route superheated gases away from the engine, everything around the exhaust manifolds, catalytic converter, exhaust pipes and muffler gets hot. While some see a rattling heat shield as a mere annoyance, others may find it embarrassing. Loose parts usually mean something is wrong, and could affect the reliability and safety of your vehicle. For the most part, we associate a quiet car with a healthy car.
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