Heat Shield Question, Cant Find answer anywhere else....

[Funnyman]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-Civ...467020?hash=item4b11d1278c:g:B50AAOSwax5YoKbD

TLDR This heat shield gone, does it matter

So I had to recently change my steering rack...quite the undertaking, but managed it in about 4 hours with the help of info on this forum, much helpful!

I noticed while doing this that the upper chassis brace that links the two wheel arches, had rusted through.

This brace is also a mount for some heat shield, not sure what its protecting, seems to be between the exhaust manifold lower section, toward the cat, and nothing that looks like it would be damaged from heat exposure.

I'm asking because the heat shield is no longer there after I couldn't get it to mount back on to my shiny new brace...

Does anyone know what this is shielding and whether it is going to cause too much trouble no being there?

 

[mike.h]

When I bought my first EP3 it took me a while before I realised it didn't have the upper heat shield.

My issues were:

Increased engine bay heat, possibly affecting intake temp.
Possible damage to the steering rack (you really don't want that, as you're aware it's not a cheap fix)
Turning on your fan in the summer... mmmm, warm. :/
Warm footwell, a really disconcerting feeling.

Not sure how much of an affect it may have on you.

All up, just replace the thing, it's a moderately cheap part (in the greater scheme of things).

Also, does this mean you're running without the brace?

 

[Funnyman]

Thanks for the advise Mike, Steering rack was pretty cheap really just a pain in the ass to fit!

Its not the heat shield from the top of the exhaust manifold, so shouldnt effect the steering rack.

I took it off myself when installing the new brace, as the mounts on the new brace didnt match up with the holes on the heat shield and they are a bugger to get to.

So have brace, but took the heat shield out.

Might see how it feels, for a bit, then install it back in when I can.

Dont want any detrimental effects really!

 

[mike.h]

It's the shield that connects to part 9 - http://lingshondaparts.com/honda_ca...1&block_02=B__4800&block_03=9814&block_05=hcr - right?

Is that the one that sits between the lower part of the exhaust manifold and the drive-shaft:
http://www.lingshondaparts.com/hond...1&block_02=B__2100&block_03=9814&block_05=hcr - part 20
Or is it on the body-side?

If it's the drive-shaft one I'd be a little worried about whenever you were stopped and possible damage to the CV boots, bearings, greases etc. from the heat in the exhaust.

If it's body-side then things will be uncomfortable in summer, and I guess it could do paint damage or accelerate rust.

The heat-shields aren't expensive parts in the greater scheme of things, and car companies don't generally add parts without reason, since they could save money if they didn't (most notoriously in things like the pinto memo - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Pinto#Cost-benefit_analysis.2C_the_Pinto_Memo ).

I wouldn't recommend running without one for long, there's a lot of heat in that section (catalytic converters need things that way).

 

[haGGard]

When mine started ratlling around the cat, i just ripped it off. Didn't notice any difference apart from the annoying rattle was gone.

 

[jimbodeeni]

You find that many ep3 owners or previous owners on here have removed most heat shields.

I removed the one of the cat on both mine.
The driveshaft heatshield also had to go too.

Too many horrible rattles, never seen any adverse effects reported except for above.

Once you pick up some speed there is a fair amount of airflow on the underside, I wasn't worried with mine.
Maybe notice some adverse effects in long stand still traffic in 1 summer day we get a year.

 

[Bonito]

I have seen a case in a DC5 where the owner was running a decat with no shielding. Over time the heat was passing through and melting the wiring under the centre console. He only realised this as his alarm started playing up and he went digging. Guess where the wiring was routed?