Exhaust Rattle

[Manarius]

My exhaust rattles at low RPM's. I have it diagnosed as one of the heat shields near the front of the car. Would it be hard to cut one of these off so my car doesn't rattle? And would it cause any sort of problem?

[206er]

I have cut several of the exhaust shields off my car. I used a circular saw with a metal blade, really quick. I only cut the ones that were rattling, and left the front catylitic shield, gas tank shield, and the one by the steering rack. you could probably take all of them off with no consequences, I just didnt need to.

[professor]

just don't park on a pile of leaves if you do cut them off

I have a rattle and I can't figure out which shield - they all seem solid when I bang on them, and look really good

[Manarius]

Ok, I determined the rattling piece of metal to be the one on the top side of the second catalytic converter (at least, I think that's what it is; it's a small box shaped object behind the tranny). Any idea what it'll do if I rip it off? I'd much rather keep it on, but without the aid of a welder, that won't work. Maybe I should head down to meineke and see if they'll do a quick weld on there for me.

[Psychoreo]

just rip it off. Heat shields are more of a precaution than anything serious. Nothing should happen eventhough the cat gets kinda hot. If i'm wrong, someone please let me know because i already stripped them all off mine

[vrg3]

I know a guy who had a fire under the hood because enough oil leaked onto the un-heat-shielded exhaust manifold to catch fire.

[Psychoreo]

hmmm....maybe i should put some of it back

[vrg3]

I dunno... He was admittedly a little careless in allowing that much oil to leak out. I don't have most of my heat shields anymore either. But I do try to be careful about where I park and stuff.