Rattle under car: Heat Shield corrosion
#1
Rattle under car: Heat Shield corrosion
I had this strange rattle noise coming from under my 8 when releasing clutch and hitting around 3000rpm. At first I though it was just some loose screw somewhere.
Took it to dealer and was told (and shown) the nightmare: the heat shield around exhaust/cat was all rusted and had practically been corroded into two pieces.
The dealer quoted 3.5K for repair, apparently they want me to replace the whole exhaust/cat system. I was 5 months out of rust warranty, called MNAO and no go, quoting that there is nothing wrong with the car, it is the salt on the road to blame...WTF, I have been doing my oil change and maintenance at the dealer since I got the car, and no one ever informed me that there is rust there...so much for the "360 full cycle check"....
Is there anything else I can do to get rid of this noise without replacing the whole exhaust/cat? There is nothing wrong with exhaust/cat, just that the external heat shield is corroded. Can I just replace the heat shield?
Any thoughts?
Thanks all.
Took it to dealer and was told (and shown) the nightmare: the heat shield around exhaust/cat was all rusted and had practically been corroded into two pieces.
The dealer quoted 3.5K for repair, apparently they want me to replace the whole exhaust/cat system. I was 5 months out of rust warranty, called MNAO and no go, quoting that there is nothing wrong with the car, it is the salt on the road to blame...WTF, I have been doing my oil change and maintenance at the dealer since I got the car, and no one ever informed me that there is rust there...so much for the "360 full cycle check"....
Is there anything else I can do to get rid of this noise without replacing the whole exhaust/cat? There is nothing wrong with exhaust/cat, just that the external heat shield is corroded. Can I just replace the heat shield?
Any thoughts?
Thanks all.
#3
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iTrader: (1)
This is a VERY common occurrence. The crazy heat makes them rust.
VERY simple fix: go to home depot and buy two large (maybe 1-inch wide?) hose clamps, at least 18 inches long.
Make sure the engine and exhaust are COLD - the car should be off for at least 2 hours. Jack up one side, and use 2 jack stands for safety. Wrap each hose clamp around the heat shield and the piping all together, one towards each end of the shield, and tighten them down really tight. The shield will still work effectively, and it will no longer rattle.
I've done this fix on my rx8, and a friend's miata. Works like a charm. It won't last forever, but certainly for another 10,000 - 20,000 miles. Then you can just do it again if needed.
VERY simple fix: go to home depot and buy two large (maybe 1-inch wide?) hose clamps, at least 18 inches long.
Make sure the engine and exhaust are COLD - the car should be off for at least 2 hours. Jack up one side, and use 2 jack stands for safety. Wrap each hose clamp around the heat shield and the piping all together, one towards each end of the shield, and tighten them down really tight. The shield will still work effectively, and it will no longer rattle.
I've done this fix on my rx8, and a friend's miata. Works like a charm. It won't last forever, but certainly for another 10,000 - 20,000 miles. Then you can just do it again if needed.
#5
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Depending on what has corroded you can fix it differently. If it is just the hole around the bolt...a big washer will work...otherwise there are strip clamps or even wire that you can use..
Dealers have limited options to jury-rig things like DIY or muffler shops can
Dealers have limited options to jury-rig things like DIY or muffler shops can
#6
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FWIW, during a routine inspection, the dealer told me that they needed to replace (repair?) my heat shield and bolts.
They did it for $165.
No idea what they actually replaced though.
EDIT: It did involve ordering parts, if that's any clue to what they did
They did it for $165.
No idea what they actually replaced though.
EDIT: It did involve ordering parts, if that's any clue to what they did
#8
If you can find the part number I can run a quote with the dealer again. Or I will just go with the DIY solution suggested above.
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Last edited by EmperorBen; 06-06-2012 at 07:35 PM.
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#11
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If yours is only partway off you can just use a hose clamp to hold it back on as everyone else said.
Here is pictures of what mine looked like before and after
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...3A+Heat+Shield
Here is pictures of what mine looked like before and after
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...3A+Heat+Shield
#12
If yours is only partway off you can just use a hose clamp to hold it back on as everyone else said.
Here is pictures of what mine looked like before and after
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...3A+Heat+Shield
Here is pictures of what mine looked like before and after
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...3A+Heat+Shield
Could you please let me know if anything else looks bad (other than the heat shield)?
#15
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Nope just looks like the heatshield. Good luck with your repair!
#17
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Peekaboooo Just don't park on any tall dead grass and you should be fine. I think a guy on these forums did drive over a garbage bag blowing in the road and it got stuck to his cat and caught on fire. (don't remember if that was this forum or another)
Just be careful and you will be fine. If you still have the shield Peekaboo you can always reattach it with those hose clamp method. Or using a old metal close hanger.
Just be careful and you will be fine. If you still have the shield Peekaboo you can always reattach it with those hose clamp method. Or using a old metal close hanger.
#19
Thanks for the advice Gopherage. When this heatshield was rattling I was quite worried about it, and then one day it just fell off. I do have a new upper and lower shield, but I never put it on, I think I'll put it on now after hearing about the hazard.
#20
Wheels, not rims!!
iTrader: (8)
I can't imagine how noticeable the heat increase would be with our 1700*F EGT... It's already horrid with the heatshield.
#24
This is a VERY common occurrence. The crazy heat makes them rust.
VERY simple fix: go to home depot and buy two large (maybe 1-inch wide?) hose clamps, at least 18 inches long.
Make sure the engine and exhaust are COLD - the car should be off for at least 2 hours. Jack up one side, and use 2 jack stands for safety. Wrap each hose clamp around the heat shield and the piping all together, one towards each end of the shield, and tighten them down really tight. The shield will still work effectively, and it will no longer rattle.
I've done this fix on my rx8, and a friend's miata. Works like a charm. It won't last forever, but certainly for another 10,000 - 20,000 miles. Then you can just do it again if needed.
VERY simple fix: go to home depot and buy two large (maybe 1-inch wide?) hose clamps, at least 18 inches long.
Make sure the engine and exhaust are COLD - the car should be off for at least 2 hours. Jack up one side, and use 2 jack stands for safety. Wrap each hose clamp around the heat shield and the piping all together, one towards each end of the shield, and tighten them down really tight. The shield will still work effectively, and it will no longer rattle.
I've done this fix on my rx8, and a friend's miata. Works like a charm. It won't last forever, but certainly for another 10,000 - 20,000 miles. Then you can just do it again if needed.
#25
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Help me ben
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