My heat shield on 99 SE was completely rusted and rattling around. The shop I took it to just took the heat shield off (did not replace). Now I'm hearing something about not being able to park over leaves because they might catch on fire. Can anyone back up this claim? And if so, what are the realistic odds that this will happen??

Maybe I should just get a new one, wonder how much it would cost...

 

Keep it off and get a little weight reduction...

 

You'll be fine... I assume you referring to the heatshield below the catalytic converter.

 

mine rusted off last year. my local mechanic told me not to worry about it - unless you plan in parking on top of a mountain of raked leaves.

 

Most people no longer have that heat sheild... just don't park in 1' tall dry grass/straw so you don't set anything ablaze.

But in all honesty, you would have to try pretty hard to start a fire like that.

 

mine is off too. should be fine unless something out of the ordinary happens. unlikely, though.

 

mine has been off for 2 years haven't burned it to the ground yet you will be ok and if iam not mistaken only way to get it is by buying a new cat converter

 

I've seen a honda burn to the ground because he parked on the grass.. I even have pics on my camera phone.... Just try not to part on dry grass.. lol

 

wow! lol, guess it does happen! just don't be dumb where you're parking and whatnot

 

Wow I was feeling really comforted after seeing I wasn't alone...that was until sOber ruined it for me...

Thanks for your replies everyone -

 

if you park on grass just take a wizzzzzz before you park

 

ohh yeah... mine has been off for a year now, and 1/4 mile numbers are doing the talkin....

 

go to the shop and f*ck em up

 

keep it off. you can take off a few others too and save weight.

 

how much does the heat shield weight? If its enough i might as well take it off since in florida all there is roads and not many leaves.

 

If your heat sheild is still on dont take if off unless you are really stripping the whole car for weight reduction. It prob. weighs 2-3 lbs max. if even that. If you didnt pick up on it... everyone is joking when they say take off the shield for weight reduction.

 

when I was in cali last summer, a cop in a camaro had pulled into the center median on some highway that was all dry grass, then we see him backing up and the grass where his car was, was on fire, its was a good laugh

 

I would reinstall mine if the rusty bolts hadn't snapped. I'm a little worried now that I read this. I thought the main purpose was to hold in heat to make the cat work better but I guess that would be a very minor difference.

 

i woulda put it back.. but one the way to work shop form school i lost it on the long island exwy.. i was like hey man can u re attach my heat shield.. the mechanic goes.."what the hell are you talking about...?" im like "that shi..." okay forget it.. bring the car back down.... "...

well here in NYC its good in the winter.. when the car digs into snow.. it melts the snow under the car so i can get the car unstuck... = )

it should be a standard feature.. under car warmer..