cat cover

[ugly_bob]

Something fell off my car the other morning.

Looks like it should be a cover for part of the exhaust.

Went to local garage, mechanic said it was cover for catalytic converter, and to just chuck it away. Apparently they fall of all the time and are not worth replacing.

Is this right? why would it be there if it wasn't necessary?

[Clanad]

At least here in the U.S., a "cover" for the catalytic converter would be a heat shield. The 'cat' gets extremely hot during normal operation (some types of converters may approach 800 to 1000 F under conditions of extremely high engine loading) and the heat shield is essential. If this is what fell off, I'd strongly recommend having it replaced...

[ugly_bob]

hmmm. That's food for thought. I'll have to check in my Haynes manual I think.

[homer75]

Clanad is bang on - the shield is between the cat and the underbody of the car and it is there for a reason - get it put back on and disregard the advice of the 'mechanic' who told you to 'chuck it away'.

[thebhoy]

well if u know wat part it is? coz theres a top shield then a bottom part which i think wats has fallen off urs if it is the bottom part i would say the exact same as ur mechanic

[wduk2005]

never ever seen a car with a problem from not having the heat shield fitted

[DirtyHabit]

If it is a lower heat shield you may not want to park over dry grass in the summer months. The flow of air cools the shield and prevent the hot Cat from coming into contact with combustible materials.

[madman06]

well at least mechanic didnt try ripping you off ,saying ooooo yes its needed mate,well done to the mechanic

[homer75]

If it's not needed then why is it fitted in the first place ?

[paulco]

ugly_bob, if it is the lower heat shield that has fell off, be very carful about driving through puddles or fords. If you drench your cat in cold water when its hot you can totally f*ck it up.So you would need a full cat replaced, not just the heat shield. It happened to my year old renault lagona and that still had the full protection on it.! I would get it replaced ASAP.