Muffler shield trashed...remove it?

[Rich_NYS]

My asbestos muffler shield is broken on the bottom and is crappy looking; is it better to keep it in place because something is better than nothing, or are a lot of cars are missing and it's no biggie if I remove it?

Thanks!

[Dangermouse]

Replace it.

It provides vital thermal protection for you rear fascia.

[DMCMW Dave]

Replace it.

It provides vital thermal protection for you rear fascia.

Actually it protects things like the alternator, belts, bearings, and crank seal. It's pretty important. Replacements (non-asbestos) are available.

[Dangermouse]

Of course it does. What was I thinking

[Jonathan]

I think I know which rear fascia thermal protection you were thinking of Dermot...

27803

Rich... what does the asbestos one look like that is/was on top of the catalytic converter? I think you probably originally meant the one mentioned above and that your mechanic damaged, but wanted to mention the cat one too? Not sure what sort of replacements are available for it though.

[Rich_NYS]

I think I know which rear fascia thermal protection you were thinking of Dermot...

27803

Rich... what does the asbestos one look like that is/was on top of the catalytic converter? I think you probably originally meant the one mentioned above and that your mechanic damaged, but wanted to mention the cat one too? Not sure what sort of replacements are available for it though.

I think there's not much left to the cat shield.

I'm referring to the one by the muffler you saw that's damaged, you can see it from behind the car. Sounds like something is better than nothing for now so I'll leave it in place until I get a replacement.

[airfireman1]

I replaced mine with a 3mm thick piece of aluminium plate, cost about $16.00 Australian and used the old one as a template

[Mark D]

My muffler heat shield was also starting to go so I replaced it with a stainless version from DMCMW. I think it looks great :thumbup:

Before:
http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=27807&d=1401888284

After:
http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=27806&d=1401888284
http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=27808&d=1401888298


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On a similar note, how important is the asbestos heat sheild around the catalytic converter? Mine crumbled into pieces a while back and I wasn't too concerned with replacing it after reading this comment from Dave here:

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?3532-How-do-I-know-if-I-need-a-new-catalytic-converter&p=49826&viewfull=1#post49826

I wasn't planning on replacing it with anything (and I don't think replacements are even available) so is it OK just to run without it?

[DMCMW Dave]

On a similar note, how important is the asbestos heat sheild around the catalytic converter? Mine crumbled into pieces a while back and I wasn't too concerned with replacing it after reading this comment from Dave here:

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?3532-How-do-I-know-if-I-need-a-new-catalytic-converter&p=49826&viewfull=1#post49826

I wasn't planning on replacing it with anything (and I don't think replacements are even available) so is it OK just to run without it?

That one you can leave off. There are some replacements available (not from us). I've seen many cars without it and no detrimental effect unless you overheat the car. Then the frame might turn browner in that area.

[Mark D]

Ok cool, thanks for confirming that I'll be OK Dave :D