My heat shield was rusty and and the mechanic had to yank it off. I bought another one from fiat dealers but then the mechanic said to me, i dont need it on? Im bit worried bout this as my k&n filter sits above it so i know that cant be good?

Do you think i should take it to another garage and ask them to try and fit it on? Its just the bolts at the bottom half for the heat shield is rusted on so that would be a mission to take off i suppose. Not sure what to do?

yeh its damn near impossible to get the old bolts off/new bolts in but it can be done. I'm not using a heatshield on my MK2 although im using standard induction.