Hi,

Complete noob question here but I want to remove the heat shield as it's rattling about like crazy.

Is it just a case of removing the 4 (well 3 as one of mine has already gone) 10mm bolts and taking it off? Do I need to put the bolts back?

Can't see any wires in front of it so I don't believe it is shielding from anything other than the frame of the fan. I guess the frame will not be affected by the heat shield not being there.

(Fiat Punto Mia 1.2 8v 2002)

Mine was doing the same (rattling) I took mine off ages ago and its been fine, no signs of melting etc so unless its doing some hidden damage i dont see a problem

You could take it off and if all of the studs are there (some snap offf) clean the threads and treat with antisieze paste. Then put it back with large repair washers on each side to stop the rattle. If the suds are missing it will have to stay off.

Many thanks for all the helpful replies.

I would leave it on if at all possible. The heat shield also keeps the cat hot so it gets up to temp quicker and stays hotter so it works better. The main cause of rattling on my machine was the lower studs at each side being loose. I am running fine with three of the top ones still alive and one of the lower ones - mostly repaired as WhiteSei said with big washers and such.

Stainless repair washers are ideal (one each side of hole) as the zinc finish soon burns-off with exhaust heat.