Heat Shield for Cat

fonda

Girlfriend was driving down the motorway the other day and the heat shield covering the cat came loose and stuck in the road and snapped off!

Just wondering does she need to get a new one? As far as I can see its just a cover, is there any other use for it?

Seth Brundle

I doubt that manufacturers put something on your car for no good reason but you may be ok without it.
It shields something from heat (and presumably shields the cat from splashes of water, etc.)

docmol

When I saw the title to the thread I thought it was going to be about orbital felines!

JHMEG

fonda wrote: »

Girlfriend was driving down the motorway the other day and the heat shield covering the cat came loose and stuck in the road and snapped off!

Just wondering does she need to get a new one? As far as I can see its just a cover, is there any other use for it?

Where is/was it? Some are at the front of the engine bay, some are under the car, typically below the gearstick?

goodlad

I drive a 2003 Ford Focus and the heat shield on mine came lose a few months back. It was rattling around like mental.

I got it weld back on, but about 2 months later it came lose again.

When i went to get it weld again they just took the shield off and said its not even needed. I was told it just stops the hear off the cat going down to the ground.

In the words of the guy "Im sure there is some EU regulation or some **** for having it on the car, but its really not needed".

I blindly believed him! haha! Haven't had any problems with no shield on though.

fonda

JHMEG wrote: »

Where is/was it? Some are at the front of the engine bay, some are under the car, typically below the gearstick?

Under the car!

fonda

goodlad wrote: »

I drive a 2003 Ford Focus and the heat shield on mine came lose a few months back. It was rattling around like mental.

I got it weld back on, but about 2 months later it came lose again.

When i went to get it weld again they just took the shield off and said its not even needed. I was told it just stops the hear off the cat going down to the ground.

In the words of the guy "Im sure there is some EU regulation or some **** for having it on the car, but its really not needed".

I blindly believed him! haha! Haven't had any problems with no shield on though.

Yeah didnt think it would be needed for much, have you gone through the nct without it? wonder would they notice it during the under car insepection!

Anan1

AFAIK it's there to prevent the cat from setting fire to long grass etc when the car is parked. I'd imagine its absence would also make it far more dangerous to work under the car if the cat was still hot.

sundodger5

best of luck trying to set fire to the grass with a hot cat this year.:D
I have removed loads of heat shields from cats, never a problem.
no point welding them they will fracture again from vibration.

dylbert

If the heat shield is removed will it affect the NCT? mine is loose and I'm tempted to get rid of it.

Seth Brundle

check the NCT manual (I'm feeling lazy just now!)

dylbert

could be a fail,

"REASONS FOR FAILURE, (5) Possibility of fire being caused by leaks or broken components."

Think I'll take it of anyhoo, NCT's not till July and I can't deal with the rattle any more.

JHMEG

fonda wrote: »

Under the car!

Between the gearstick/selector and cat, or between the cat and the ground? If the former I would prefer if it was present.

fonda

JHMEG wrote: »

Between the gearstick/selector and cat, or between the cat and the ground? If the former I would prefer if it was present.

Sorry between the cat and the ground!

fonda

sundodger5 wrote: »

best of luck trying to set fire to the grass with a hot cat this year.:D
I have removed loads of heat shields from cats, never a problem.
no point welding them they will fracture again from vibration.

Yeah I've informed her not to do anymore off-roading in her hatchback :rolleyes:

peasant

This may be funny in soggy, wet Ireland ...but on the contintent countless cars have gone up in flames when they were parked in fields or grass verges (at outdoor festivals for example) by their unthinking owners.

sundodger5

unthinking owners with or without heat shields fitted?

JHMEG

fonda wrote: »

Sorry between the cat and the ground!

Probably no real risk. Tho it'd prob only cost a fiver to get it welded back on if it's not wrecked.