That darned heatshield!!!

[Len]

Well folks I duly jacked up the car, got under and took off the undertray.
Prodded and poked around, getting my hands around a lot of metal.

BUT! I couldnt find anything loose!

So I switch on the engine and yes still the rattle etc.

Then I realise its not down below its the big alloy shield on top of the manifold! 

So I refit the undertray and drop the car down.
Start trying the bolts and they are solid, so cant see why the thing vibrates. So I decide to take it off in case its something else underneath.

Well it becomes obvious what the problem is as soon as I get the first (hex head 6mm) bolt out!
The ally shield is broke around the bolts! All four top bolts!
I then find there are 2 more nuts on studs under the heatshield (12mm) and eventually get those undone and can lift the great lump out!

Pics to follow!

[Len]

Pics of alloy heatshield.



This view shows the absent bits!


Here are 3 of the 4 bolt hole pieces. (lost other)

[Khare]

ahh unlucky mate. glad you sorted it now. Mine is definitly the one wraped aroun the downpipe. When i press against it with something it stops vibrating.

[Len]

So for a temporary solution after checking with mate if he can ally weld? (NO!)
Ask him if he's got any metal plate? Yes a piece of ally chequer plate!
So he brings it down to me and I cut it to length and then bend an angle on it and drill 4 holes in correct position!

Best photo I can get of it fitted.


So that will do for now until I can source a good part from scrappy.


And guess what?

No buzz! No Rattle, No Hum!!! Bloody silence!

YES!

[Len]

Oh yes!

I had taken off the main air inlet hose to the throttle body to give me some room to get hands behind and guess what happened when refitting!

Darn hose clip came off and fell down side of engine!

So had to jack car up again to drop undertray to find it! Luckily I was able to get a hand in and grab it without having to take the tray off again!

[Wayne]

Good result.

[Len]

Yea and what a difference!

Oh I wish I had found this YEARS ago!

I would strongly suggest that anyone with a heatshield noise to check theirs out!

[Len]

Well I took a trip to a local stealers this lunchtime for some spray paint and thought I would ask whilst there for a price on a new heatshiled!

Well I was surprised! £39 inc VAT!

So I ordered one!

Gonna take 7-10 days but thats cool.

[jamie16v]

i would have stuck with the chequered plate to my own preference, looks better in my opinion.. 

[Len]

Maybe but it doesnt give same coverage and the warm air feed to filter!