Does Xsara 1.4 need exhaust heat shield?

Hi,

The exhaust heat shield has just come loose on my S reg Citroen Xsara

1.4i Petrol.

I spoke to a garage who said that depending what was underneath, you may not actually need a heat shield.

Is this true for the Xsara? Do I need to get a new shield fitted or is it not worth it?

Thanks squelch41

Reply to
squelch41
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Xsara

Lets put it this way, many vehicles will be safe with a heat shield missing (some will not be though) but remember that most manufactures will save production costs if at all possible - such as by not fitting a plain washer to a bolt, or using a smaller bolt, for example - do you think that they would go to the cost (both material and production) of fitting a heat shield if it wasn't necessary to have it on the vehicle?...

Reply to
Jerry

Well, that is what I was thinking and hence was surprised when I was told it might not be necessary.

My brother was told the same thing when his Fiat Punto heat shield broke.

Hence was w> > Hi,

Reply to
squelch41

shield

manufactures

material

Remember that most 'mechanics' in the UK (excluding those who are nearer their retirement than apprenticeship) are nothing more that fitters with (sometimes very) limited knowledge of the theory side of vehicle design - many of those who work in the 'Fast Fit' industry have not done a full apprenticeship... :~(

Reply to
Jerry

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold. I remember "Jerry" saying something like:

I agree. Manufacturers don't give you something if they consider it unnecessary. It might only be necessary 5% of the time, but if they didn't fit it they might be liable for damages if something caught fire.

Reply to
Grimly Curmudgeon

here comes the science ......

Reply to
.

Couldnt have put it better myself. I have removed most heat shields from my car (long story,its no longer anything like standard) but when i took each one off i monitored the temperature of the surrounding parts for days afterwards and lagged those i thought may suffer. Your other option is to use exhaust lagging,you can buy a bit of this for

Reply to
Coyoteboy

Why not just leave the original heat shields on?......

Can't wait to hear the answer!

Reply to
Jerry

i disagree completly ive been in the trade now for 16 years all of them at a main ford dealer, we ALL go on coarses down daventry every few months to keep up with new models/technology. in december i'm going down, when, hopfully i'll become a master technician and no.... im only 34

Reply to
ford_technical_

Jerry ( snipped-for-privacy@INVALID.INVALID) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

In the case of the heatshield under the cat on my XM, simple - because it fell off...

Reply to
Adrian

Because they rust off (mine was aluminium and has 2 inch wide holes that used to be bolt sized), the bolts seize/rust/snap when removing them, and there is no safe way of drilling out/tapping a new hole without hitting an oil or water way in the engine block.

Bob

Reply to
Bob Smith

But once they fall off, is it important to replace them?

Thanks squelch41

Bob Smith wrote:

Reply to
squelch41

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