Crusty Header Shield..?

[Transgressor]

So, I do not know what it's actually called, but I'm just guessing it's a heatshield for the header.

It's become crusty as hell and it rattles.. Should I just take it out? I'm almost certain that the bolts are seized due to the corrosion.

May be an idiotic question, but I've not even owned the car for a week.

[marneus901]

So, I do not know what it's actually called, but I'm just guessing it's a heatshield for the header.

It's become crusty as hell and it rattles.. Should I just take it out? I'm almost certain that the bolts are seized due to the corrosion.

May be an idiotic question, but I've not even owned the car for a week.

Not really needed. Just break the 2 bolts (as yes, they usually are siezed) and pull that paperweight out of the engine bay.

[Transgressor]

Not really needed. Just break the 2 bolts (as yes, they usually are siezed) and pull that paperweight out of the engine bay.

It's bolted into the header though, does your advice as to removing it still hold up?

[lbus9168]

Ah yes of course there's no reason for it, Honda definitely put it there for no reason.

The heat shield is supposed to keep heat off of your other components. Without it, you will see premature wear on all perishable components near it.

You can remove itif you really want to, but then everything around it will wear quicker.

[marneus901]

Ah yes of course there's no reason for it, Honda definitely put it there for no reason.

The heat shield is supposed to keep heat off of your other components. Without it, you will see premature wear on all perishable components near it.

You can remove itif you really want to, but then everything around it will wear quicker.

Agreed but if its rattling and causing issues, why keep it? I dont see my dc sports headers with a heat sheild.

[lbus9168]

So basically, theres a couple reasons why most Aftermarket Exhaust headers dont utilise the OEM Heatshield.

1. Its ugly
2. if youd spent $500 + on a brand new header, you dont want to cover that up
3. less compatability. heat shields across different Cars do differ but the exhaust manifolds can be interchangeable.
4. Price, its also costs alot of money to Add a heat shield to Exhaust Manifolds Due to R&D etc
5. Alot of people with aftermarket exhausts are less concerned with the cars longevity, anyway.

the heat shield being gone wont have drastic effects. infact, It might barely even be noticeable. but it will result in Various parts on the Car wearing more than they should, due to the extra heat.

Eventually, PS/AC lines, Accesory belts, and extra stuff will wear quicker than they should. Its not that necessary.

I dont have one on my integra, but i do have one on my accord.

Id reccomend fixing it and Keeping it to Keep the rest of your engine bay components in good condition. If you get an aftermarket exhaust, unfortunately, theres no chance of using heat shields. Ive seen differening opinions on Exhaust wrapping, so i wont advise you what to do, i think its a good idea but i dont reccomend it as it can also Make the exhaust too hot and result in it breakingm, even iff the performance is good.

just my .02

[Transgressor]

So basically, theres a couple reasons why most Aftermarket Exhaust headers dont utilise the OEM Heatshield.

1. Its ugly
2. if youd spent $500 + on a brand new header, you dont want to cover that up
3. less compatability. heat shields across different Cars do differ but the exhaust manifolds can be interchangeable.
4. Price, its also costs alot of money to Add a heat shield to Exhaust Manifolds Due to R&D etc
5. Alot of people with aftermarket exhausts are less concerned with the cars longevity, anyway.

the heat shield being gone wont have drastic effects. infact, It might barely even be noticeable. but it will result in Various parts on the Car wearing more than they should, due to the extra heat.

Eventually, PS/AC lines, Accesory belts, and extra stuff will wear quicker than they should. Its not that necessary.

I dont have one on my integra, but i do have one on my accord.

Id reccomend fixing it and Keeping it to Keep the rest of your engine bay components in good condition. If you get an aftermarket exhaust, unfortunately, theres no chance of using heat shields. Ive seen differening opinions on Exhaust wrapping, so i wont advise you what to do, i think its a good idea but i dont reccomend it as it can also Make the exhaust too hot and result in it breakingm, even iff the performance is good.

just my .02

I really appreciate your .02

I'll see what I can do about the rattling, probably just get something heat resistant to bond it to the header where the bolt corroded and turned to dust.

Thanks for the response, not just you, but everybody who responded!

[deevergote]

If it's rattling, it's loose. Check the bolts.
You can remove it, sand it down, and paint it with high temp paint if you want it to look better.

[lbus9168]

Half the bloody heatshield has rusted away mate I don't think that's just a loose bolt Mike hahaha

[Fleetw00d]

Go ahead and try to remove the bolts, if they come out, great. If not, the rest of that heat shield will probably crumble to dust if you just start pulling on it. If the bolts come out, keep your eye out for a replacement, as deev suggested, wire brush the heck out of it, then use VHT (Very High Temperature) paint. You can notch the bottom end to clear the O2 sensor if you don't want to mess with removing that.

[irelandmc]

but then everything around it will wear quicker.
ปอยเปต คาสิโน

Of course, none of that stuff around it is really necessary either, depending on what you want from the car. PS and AC lines don't wear if they aren't there.