Loose Exhaust Heat Shield

The heat shield is there for a reason. No manufacturer adds parts to a car just because it increases the cost.

There is a heat shield between the catalytic converter and the floor of the car and a second between the catalytic converter and the ground.

The first heat shield prevents your carpet from overheating and catching on fire which leads to a real mess because the car burns up.

The second heat shield prevents the grass you park over from catching on fire which leads to a real mess because the car burns up.

Get it replaced.

rtt

Thanks for the reply. I haven't driven the car since I noticed the problem earlier today, but the heat shield must have been loose for

6-12 months. That is how long I have heard a funny sound when hitting bumps. Never thought much of it till now.

Had the car in for inspection a few months back, and they missed this, although I don't think I mentioned the sound.

If the upper heat shield is intact, and I don't park on flammable surfaces, maybe there is no hurry to fix this. I bent the heat shield up from where it was hanging down, and I might use a piece of bare wire to hold it in place for now.

The heat shield is indeed ok, it does not need to be replaced. What's not ok is the mount on the catalytic converter, to which the heat shield is attached. It must have rusted out, as it did on my car. Replacing the cat is expensive, so you may want to consider not parking your car over anything flammable - grass, cardboard, etc.

My catalytic converter heat shield mounts rusted off to the point of breaking several years ago. The dealer actually just pulled the heatshields off when I was in for some work (I had mentioned a rattle). Here in the snow-belt, the dealers see that happening all the time and it just doesn't make sense to replace the catalytic converter (my car was only 5 yrs old at the time).

Cheers. Nirav

96 Max GLE, 117k