How To Repair Ford F150 Exhasut Heat Shield

For the most part, we associate a tranquillity auto with a healthy car. Loose parts usually mean something is wrong, and could affect the reliability and safety of your vehicle. While some come across a rattling heat shield as a mere badgerer, others may find it embarrassing. In some cases, a loose heat shield could exist a major problem.

Because the main purpose of the frazzle system is to road superheated gases away from the engine, everything around the exhaust manifolds, catalytic converter, exhaust pipes and muffler gets hot. Catalytic converters are particularly hot — they only begin operation between 400 and 600 degrees Fahrenheit, and normally range between i,200 and 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit. The balance of the exhaust organization typically measures 300 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

Exhaust Heat Shields — What Are They Rattling For?

Many car parts cannot manage such heat. Plastic and safe parts can cook or become brittle, electric motors and sensors tin can neglect, and dry grass or paper can spontaneously combust. Made of sparse metallic sheets, rut shields deflect much of the extreme heat, some affixed to the frazzle organisation and others affixed to parts needing protection.

Frazzle heat shields fail for a couple of reasons: rust and vibration. Fittingly, the parts the estrus shields are designed to protect often cause their failure. All metal exposed to the temper corrodes, but estrus speeds up the procedure, so clamps, bolts or welds can rust to zilch, leading to a loose heat shield. Vibrations can weaken the metallic, causing a oestrus shield to fall off, rattling confronting the frazzle or some other role of the vehicle.

How to Gear up a Rattling Oestrus Shield

Some don't run across much use for a rattling heat shield, so they simply remove them and discard them, but this can be a trouble. Considering the heat shields are designed to protect other motorcar parts from the extreme heat of the frazzle, removing them completely could crusade premature failure of other components or fifty-fifty fire. The best way to fix a rattling rut shield is to replace it or reaffix it. Here are a few ways to set your rattling rut shield:

Weld: If you have access to a welder, you may be able to tack the oestrus shield to the exhaust. Be careful, as both the thin metallic heat shield and exhaust pipe may burn through.
Bolt: In some cases, you may be able to install new nuts and bolts to reaffix a commodities-on heat shield. If the holes are too broad, fender washers tin can make up for that extra space.
Clench: Stainless steel spiral clamps can be used in some situations, such as where a heat shield was welded or clamped to an exhaust pipe.
Tie: Another way to gear up a loose estrus shield is with a stainless steel tie, which won't rust after installation. Link several together for larger components, such every bit muffler heat shields.

If a loose heat shield has you worried, you may not need new frazzle pipes, just one of these quick fixes can restore your sanity and protect your vehicle from the heat. Of course, if you're going to get under the vehicle, be certain it is deeply lifted and supported by jack stands.

Bank check out all the exhaust parts and accessories available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on heat shields, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA Motorcar PARTS shop.

Photograph courtesy of Flickr.

Benjamin Jerew View All

Ben has been taking things apart since he was 5, and putting them back together again since he was 8. Later on dabbling in DIY repairs at habitation and on the subcontract, he institute his calling in the CGCC Auto Repair program. After he held his ASE CMAT for 10 years, Ben decided he needed a alter. Now, he writes on automotive topics beyond the web and around the earth, including new automotive technology, transportation legislation, emissions, fuel economy and auto repair.