Help me ID this missing exhaust part ('89 Corolla)

You have described a heat shield. Of course, you have the advantage of actually being there and should be able to discern what it is that you are looking at.

Have you thought of using a hose clamp to secure the remaining part of the shield to the exhaust pipe?

Hi Jeff, Thanks for your help. I will try to secure the remaining part of the shield later today. I'd like to order a replacement heat shield so that the area will be intact, but need to know the exact part name before ordering.

Thanks! John

You don't _really_ need to know the exact part name. What you need to know is the system it goes on. The guys at the parts counter -- especially at the dealership -- will have a picture of the system, and you can easily point out the parts you want.

Having said that, I think I would be stopping by a Mom & Pop muffler shop and getting the repairs done. I hate exhaust systems because crap always falls in my eyes, and I can't get the right angles with my floor jack and jack stands to make the job easy, and I have little tolerance for rusted bolts. This is one of the few repairs that I am willing to pay for ahead of tackling the job myself.

The shop will put your car on a lift, and you can simply point out where they need to focus their attention. Then go have a cup of coffee while they to the work.

Hi Jeff, Thanks for your help. I called a local Toyota dealership to inquire about the part. The service guy, who seemed very nice and knowledgeable, told me "with the exception of Land Cruisers, none of the heat shields on Toyotas can be replaced because they are part of the front exhaust system and are crimped into place." He said that the heat shield doesn' t disburse a ton of heat, and that if I brought the car in, they would simply remove the half that's still in place, and would leave things be. He said it wouldn't be a safety hazard not to have the heat shield there.

I can probably secure the half still on the car by myself easily enough. Question is whether I should see if a Mom and Pop shop can put something there to replace what's missing, or if I should just leave things be after I secure the missing half?

If I can't sneak out of work during the daytime to go to an independent shop, then I could go to Midas or someplace open after-hours, but I never go to places like Midas 'cause I don't know if I can trust them.

Thanks, John

If the half that remains is between the exhaust and the bottom of the car, then you should be fine. The other side -- the missing part -- is there to keep you from lighting a fielld of weeds on fire. If you never take your car offroading, then the odds are good that you will never face this issue.

I think you are safe to secure the remaining part and forget about it.

These things are known for loosening on Hondas.

Ya know what EVERY Honda service manager I have ever asked about it said?

"Take it off and throw it away..."