ILMOB Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 Hello all. I've been lurking for awhile and have been helped by all the great info. The problem I'm having is with the common rattle of the heat shields. After my dealer wanted to replace them for 300 bucks, I decided to reasearch it here and liked the aluminum foil wedge solution. However, I can't keep the little wedges in place -- they keep falling out after a few rides. I've tried large and small pieces. Any ideas for the frugal? My ride is a 97 outback (and yes the head gaskets needed replacement at 70k miles), but other than that I Love My Outback. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roamer Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 I like yourself have the same care and same issue, however I have never needed to replace my headgaskets and my car has 166k miles on it? Are the OBW notorious for this problem? As far as I can tell my cars engine runs great, perhaps the previous owner replaced the heads at some point, nonetheless with regards to the heat shield rattle I have come up with my own personal solution:) I took some soldering wire (whatever it is called), the kind the plumbers use to solder copper pipes together and basically wrapped it around wherever the heatshield were loose. The stuff is real flexible and tough in my opinion and so far resistant to heat. It has been 2 mos and no rattle and mind you I live in NYC so dealing with these pothole/craters takes a beating on the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtsmiths Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 I removed my heat shields ('00 Legacy) and wrapped the exhaust pipe with asbestos ribbon, then reinstalled them. No recurring rattles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jib Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 I removed my heat shields ('00 Legacy) and wrapped the exhaust pipe with asbestos ribbon, then reinstalled them. No recurring rattles. Hopefully, you mean fiberglass heat tape. . . . . In either case, header wrap tape will lead to premature failure of the pipes due to accelerated corrosion. You may want to reconsider this decision. I tightened up many of the crimped joints with a vice grip and got the rattle down to a minimum. It only acts up now in cold weather and only for 30 seonds or so. Jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bmm001 Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 My mechanic just welded them. Brian M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtsmiths Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 "Hopefully, you mean fiberglass heat tape. . . . . In either case, header wrap tape will lead to premature failure of the pipes due to accelerated corrosion. You may want to reconsider this decision." Could be either, it's leftover from the builder of my airplane, twenty-five years ago. Living in NW Montana I'm not really concerned about accelerating corrosion. The underside looks a clean as new after five years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jib Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 My mechanic just welded them. Brian M. I thought about pulling the Mig out and welding, but I always worry about the ECU and will not weld on a car with the ECU still connected, but yes, that's the best way. Jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 My mechanic just welded the heat sheilds also. He didnt charge me as he was doing other stuff on the car at the time too. He calls it his free service to prefered customers (personally i think he likes playing with fire hehehe). nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.