Heat Shield

[spiderman3k]

I need some advice. (1992 MR2 NA)

The heat shield by the manifold is making an annoying sound. Sounds like 2 pieces of ten hitting each other, when I am at about 3.2 RPM. I took it to the Toyota Maintenance place and they want to replace the entire manifold. I know I just need the shield fix. I am not a mechanic, what can I do? I took it to 3 places and no one wants to fix the problem they want to make money. I even took it to a muffler shop they can’t fix it right. Is there something I can do to fix it? Does anyone have the same problem?

[Gairloch]

Are you saying that the exhaust manifold heat shield is making the rattling sound and they want to replace your entire manifold as a result?!?

That heat shield is just no big deal. It's held on by a 6 or 7 12mm bolts IIRC. Have you tried tightening it down or has it rusted to the point of uselessness?

[spiderman3k]

Yupe, it is making a rattling sound. Yeah they wanted to replace the entire manifold and I said no way.

No one has told me about the bolts. I do not think it is rusted. Maybe bolts are missing. No one has given me a clear answer on the problem.

[mr2rider91]

just get in there with a 12 and try tightning the bolts down

[Gairloch]

You might want to back them all the way out then tighten them down again. Inspect the shield under the bolts and make sure that it hasn't rusted out under the bolts so they aren't holding anything. It would be a good idea to use some blue lok-tite on 'em when you put 'em back in. They can get rusted up pretty badly.

If the bolt holes in the heat shield have been expanded by rust you could put a washer on the bolt big enough to cover the expanded hole.

If one or more of the bolts fights you when you try to take it out, soak it down in PB Blaster or whichever penetrating oil you use and try again later, don't try and force it. Those bolts have been through a million heat cycles and if they're really stuck they can be brittle enough to actually break off.

[CompanyFlow]

Just get some new bolts. I wouldnt risk breaking one off in there.

[Gairloch]

These aren't load bearing. Personally I wouldn't spend the money on new bolts unless one was damaged.

[MR2Jedi]

if you can get the bolts out, use alittle anti seize so they won't become stuck in the holes again. or just remove the heatsheild completely and run with out it..

[HighSpeedScene]

Carefull backing those suckers out. I snaped one off trying the fix that exact same problem. Consequently, I became much more acquainted with my drill...and some of the more colorful words in the English language

[spiderman3k]

Thanks for the advice all....