Took off '08 Astra heat shield

[snapman]

Just ripped out the aluminium heat shield that goes between the exhaust and the petrol tank of an '08 Astra, as the bolt holes have all corroded/dissolved and it was just sitting on top of the exhaust.

I've some questions though:

1. Is this really needed and should it be replaced as soon as?

2. Will this affect an M.O.T. inspection if it remains off?


Thanks in advance,

snapman

 

[miggy]

Just ripped out the aluminium heat shield that goes between the exhaust and the petrol tank of an '08 Astra, as the bolt holes have all corroded/dissolved and it was just sitting on top of the exhaust.

I've some questions though:

1. Is this really needed and should it be replaced as soon as?

2. Will this affect an M.O.T. inspection if it remains off?


Thanks in advance,

snapman

Dont drive the car without the heat shield mate its a fire hazard.hot exhaust and petrol dont mix snapman. Get it sorted asap mate.the sheild directs the heat away from the petrol.snapman get yourself some of those big penny washers and screw the shield back on.

 

[snapman]

Cheers miggy. Was reading on some forums that it's not really needed. I've seen "...been driving my car for 4 years with no problem...", etc, but thought it's obviously there for a reason, just wasn't sure how important it was. Straight to the hardware shop for me then!

 

[smirnoff_rules]

the rear exhaust dont get that hot m8 .. dont worry about , l see cars everyday and there missing


heath and safety m8 ,, over engineered

 

[snapman]

Thanks smirnoff_rules. Because the Mrs drives the Astra I was kinda worried as she drives quite a few miles sometimes due to her work. Feeling a bit better taking it of now as it was nearly dragging along the ground. Thought it would do more damage to the exhaust staying there so just took it off.

Thanks mate

 

[ekwat]

Thanks smirnoff_rules. Because the Mrs drives the Astra I was kinda worried as she drives quite a few miles sometimes due to her work. Feeling a bit better taking it of now as it was nearly dragging along the ground. Thought it would do more damage to the exhaust staying there so just took it off.

Thanks mate

Might find your insurance company will sting you if you ever have a bump though. They're like hawks

 

[miggy]

They are fitted to the car for a reason you cannot go round taking parts off cars thinking they are not needed. they wouldnt bother to fit them on the car if they werent needed. A quick visit to the hardware shop is all that is required get some washers and screw it back on. Bmw have this problem of the heat shield siting on the exhaust due to corroded holes and i fixed that one with washers.

 

[prezzy_78]

Ripped mine off my old astra as it had almost dropped off. Drove my car like that for around 9 months with 0 problems.

 

[D 8 RCS]

You could drink drive for years and never have an accident.............does that mean it's safe to do so ?
As for the back exhaust not getting that hot, have an hours drive and then stick your bare hand on it for 20 seconds and then tell me it doesn't get hot !!!!
The heat shield is there for a reason and there is a clue in its name........heat shield.
It is there to shield another component from the heat, in the Astra's case it shields the petrol tank from the heat.
If you are prepared to be daft enough to leave the heat shield off then you may be daft enough to try this demonstration..............Put a pint of petrol in a frying pan, cover with a lid and then heat on the hob.
Please feel free to share your results on here.

 

[snapman]

Will air on the side of safety on this one. Will get some oversized washers and get the bugger back in place. Thanks for the feedback everyone

 

[prezzy_78]

You could drink drive for years and never have an accident.............does that mean it's safe to do so ?
As for the back exhaust not getting that hot, have an hours drive and then stick your bare hand on it for 20 seconds and then tell me it doesn't get hot !!!!
The heat shield is there for a reason and there is a clue in its name........heat shield.
It is there to shield another component from the heat, in the Astra's case it shields the petrol tank from the heat.
If you are prepared to be daft enough to leave the heat shield off then you may be daft enough to try this demonstration..............Put a pint of petrol in a frying pan, cover with a lid and then heat on the hob.
Please feel free to share your results on here.

What a load of rubbish . . . . hardly the same as sticking a pan of petrol on a hob now is it?

I asked at the garage after taking mine off and they said it would be fine - I guess they were talking shit then

 

[snapman]

You could drink drive for years and never have an accident.............does that mean it's safe to do so ?
As for the back exhaust not getting that hot, have an hours drive and then stick your bare hand on it for 20 seconds and then tell me it doesn't get hot !!!!
The heat shield is there for a reason and there is a clue in its name........heat shield.
It is there to shield another component from the heat, in the Astra's case it shields the petrol tank from the heat.
If you are prepared to be daft enough to leave the heat shield off then you may be daft enough to try this demonstration..............Put a pint of petrol in a frying pan, cover with a lid and then heat on the hob.
Please feel free to share your results on here.

I'm definitely not daft, but comparing an exhaust and fuel tank, that's separated by a thin piece of aluminium, whist having air passing it at least at 30mph cooling it down isn't exactly the same as pouring petrol in a frying pan, with a lid sealing the pan, with no air to cool anything down tbh.

Poor comparison. :err:

I'm looking for someone that is in the know about these things, and answer my questions from a car mechanic's point of view, I.E.

1. Is this really needed and should it be replaced as soon as?

2. Will this affect an M.O.T. inspection if it remains off?


Thanks in advance,

snapman

I just needed to know basically if it's a 'get to the garage now' repair, or if it was a health and safety 'belt and braces' thing from Vauxhall, and not something that I need to worry about.

Regards,

snapman

 

[wiz569]

A Mechanic already answered your first question in post 4

Sent from my Ployer Momo 12

 

[charlie senator]

And another mechanic is now telling you , I've seen dozens of cars with heat sheilds missing and I've never heard of anyone having a problem with it. Also it's not an mot failure

 

[fes_786]

as everyone else said seen loads of cars with it missing

personally would leave it off
if u want piece of mind then some over sized washers would do the trick

ur call m8

never seen 1 or heard of 1 go up in flames because heatshield missing

 

[miggy]

Snapman i would at least make an attempt to put it back on it was made to suit a purpose. we are not making out that you are stupid mate I am just thinking of the safety aspect. It wont fail an mot because its missing only if the exhaust itself is blowing. The choice is purely yours at the end of tbe day.

 

[kegnkiwi]

Our lasses 56 astra did extactly the same, got it refitted asap. phile of shite astra's.

 

[neorage]

the heat sheild on my ford escort had corroded and rattled like a biatch.. so when i changed the exhaust ripped it out..

been like that for 3 years now..

yeah helps dissipate heat and prevents excessive heat through the metal work aging it.. safety aspect is understandable..

but then they have also said a mobile phone call will cause a fire at a pump... ... but what about the glowing red "uncovered" catlitic converter siting at the front of the engine after a good run...

me personally would leave it off unless you can easily fit it... and no not an mot failure

 

[D 8 RCS]

What a load of rubbish . . . . hardly the same as sticking a pan of petrol on a hob now is it?

I asked at the garage after taking mine off and they said it would be fine - I guess they were talking shit then

Of course it's not the same, it was an example of what could happen all be it in extreme conditions.
The comparison was meant to warn of what happens when heat and petrol are mixed.
You wear your seat belt without question, Why ?
Because it "may" save your life "if" you have an accident.
It is all "Ifs" and "Maybes" so that is the choice. The heat shield is there because Vauxhall/GM have proven that it "could" be a fire/explosion risk and so have take the precaution of fitting the heat shield to negate that risk.

 

[nara]

...phile of shite astra's.

Most reliable piles of shite I've ever driven.(especially compared with Jags and Mercs I've had.)

We're on our third. :thumbsup: