[newspo2]

Hi,
Our 91 Escort's heat shield above the exhaust is rusted and it's loose and making a lot of noises. Can I just yank it off? Would it affect anything? Like performance or gas mileage?

Thanks.

 

[streetescort93]

i

i took mine off with no problems as a result

 

[fixitmattman]

I haven't had one on my car for well over 5 years :wink:

No problems at all.

Matt 8)

 

[Zeemax]

Weird...I was just gonna post this same question. 4 hose clamps and it still rattles. Time for removal!

 

[siragan]

Technically you're more prone to start a fire if you take the heatshield off.

My sister's festiva is running with ZERO heatshields anywhere, because I put together a 2.5" exhaust on it. The interior is gutted, and sometmes the floor can get a little warm, but warm at most, and that's only when you're practically stopped in traffic in hot weather.

 

[newspo2]

Hose clamps? Are we talking about the same "heat shield"?
My "heat shield" is about 8-10" wide. It's sort of flat, a bit of curve. It's welded on top of the cat converter (I think) at 4 corners. Both cat and "heat shield" are below the front of engine block. In another word, "heat shield" is between engine block and the cat. Two of the welding points on "heat shield" are rusted and broken... How can hose clamps be used to secure it to the cat? Unless it is a huge and very long clamp...
I'm a bit confused...

Any info?

Thanks.

 

[Electronikal]

yeah you can take that one off....it rattles alot...and maybe those guys were tinking to the heat shield over the exhaust manifold....neways..you can remove both of em without having troubles....i've removed both of em and my engine is running great....and it does not get hot...

 

[DeathSlinger00]

running w/o a heatshield for over 5 years also. no problems whatsoever. (probably junxed myself for saying so).
but the heatshield is kinda like toncils or the appendix: you can live without them just fine if they have to be removed.

 

[metlhead87]

I tokk both of those heat sheilds off because of the rattle, and My car's still fine.

 

[Zeemax]

Take 2 gear-type hose clamps, extend the diameter by hooking the two together opposite end to opposite end, then wrap around the cat. Connect the ends underneath the cat and tighten using screwdriver/socket. This will prevent the heat shield from rattling. Mine has a resonance though that I haven't been able to get rid of (no I don't have a resonated muffler tip) so I'm going to ditch the heat shields completely.

You can use the hose clamp method for a temporary or semi-permanent solution. I've been using it for 2 years now.

 

[supchu]

My mechanic took a wire hanger and twisted it around the whole cat to make it stop vibrating. Might try that if you don't wanna cut it off.

 

[newspo2]

Just had a thought. Maybe I can use some Bondo at the rusted welding points. That should quiet it down and it should hold, shouldn't it?

 

[fixitmattman]

Bondo would most likely burn off the heat shield.

Hammer + chisel + alot of noise = no noise ever again from that probelm

It's not worth putting that much effort into it. Just beat, rip, punch tear the shield off and be done with it. You'll save yourself much hassel this way :wink:

Matt 8)

 

[DeathSlinger00]

bondo nonononononoooo.

bondo's only good for bodywork. and it's not always good for that either.

i agree with matt, just pry off the damn thing somehow and "be done with it".

 

[zzyzzx]

The heat shield on the catalytic converter can be banded with one 7" diameter hose clamp that costs less than $1 at Home Depot. The other heat shield that's just on the exhaust pipes (past the converter) should be ripped off.

 

[metlhead87]

hose clamp= extra weight... and probably just another piece of ugly junk to replace in the future. Just take the sheild off.

 

[Electronikal]

woohooo take it offf!!! oh pardon me..i though this was the stripper club !

 

[zzyzzx]

hose clamp= extra weight... and probably just another piece of ugly junk to replace in the future. Just take the sheild off.

If your worried about weight, skip breakfast.

And I prefer to have my catalytic converter heat shield in tact. I don't want the extra heat going to my radiator and exhaust manifold.

 

[fixitmattman]

^^^ It doesn't get that hot :roll:

Hose clamps are a PITA. They can loosen off over time as well so you have to keep tightening them.

I don't know how many times it has to be said, JUST PULL THE DAMN THING OFF ALREADY, THIS ISN'T ROCKET SCIENCE

Weight of a hose clamp. If you want to make up for that weight put a 1/32nd of a gallon less fuel in your car the next time you fill up, or leave your spare change at home.

:wink:

Matt 8)

 

[Zeemax]

hose clamp= extra weight... and probably just another piece of ugly junk to replace in the future. Just take the sheild off.

If your worried about weight, skip breakfast.

And I prefer to have my catalytic converter heat shield in tact. I don't want the extra heat going to my radiator and exhaust manifold.

Hahahaaa. I forgot that GT cats are right underneath the center console next to driver's foot. No need to worry about radiator or manifold.....