Hi guys I was just wondering where the heat shield is on puntos?

Main one is wrapped round the manicat on Mk2s. There may be -- can't remember -- a second one above the exhaust pipe, under the car.

The big one sits on the exhaust manifold and covers the cat. Generally rattle as they get older.

So is it worth removing it? I mean there pretty pointless anyways aren't they?

Unless it is loose, I'd leave it. Cats get extremely hot, so, even if it doesn't help keep underbonnet temperatures down, it should protect nearby stuff from radiant heat damage. Weighs bugger all, so no real weight saving.

As the man says no benefit in removing it although loads are running without and I don't hear any issues. In theory it keeps the cat a bit warmer so it gets working properly sooner and the lambdas get the fuelling sorted earlier.

old punto lost its old heat shield - no problems
Mk2b - got its heat shield - rattles like a bitch at certain rev's

Ziggy

I know this thread is nearly a year old but I've a follow on question - when removing, do the bolts need to stay where they were or can they be discarded?

I only ask as they're rusted up and will be enough of a pain removing so need to know if I should buy replacement bolts

Cheers

By bolts if you mean the fellas holding the heatshield on the exhaust manifold they can be left off. Often the shields develop big holes and fall off leaving the fixing screws still in place so getting them out doesn't arise
If it's a pain leave them be.

Thanks, it's becoming rather rattley at idle and I worry about it falling off on a motorway or something and damaging the underside of my car as well as anyone behind me... Doing pretty much the entire m3 next weekend so I'll hopefully have time in the week to remove it

LonDan said:

Thanks, it's becoming rather rattley at idle and I worry about it falling off on a motorway or something and damaging the underside of my car as well as anyone behind me... Doing pretty much the entire m3 next weekend so I'll hopefully have time in the week to remove it

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RIP IT OFF, mine didnt have one for 2 years never had any issues without it. bolts rust up and the heat shield rattles as the mounting holes become too big to hold it

And they might help a little keeping cold water splashes off a hot cat.

I am using increasingly large washers to keep it going, the one above back box has totally gone now.

i didnt have one on the "middle box" section..... because there isn't a middle box, but a pipe

the mk2 did tho?

Eitherway my Mani-cat cover again came off, the bolts rotten as a pair, luckily they didnt come out - but scrap, along with the cover which was a constant buzz which was doing my head in

Ziggy

Mine don't have heat shield.and its abrand new/ish cat /exhaust.

never had a problem with it missing.
airbox hides it anyway...