Heat shield rattling

Hey everyone. Had my '97 escort for about 3 years, and before I bought it I had it checked out by a mechanic. I was told that this rattling noise we were hearing was a loose heat shield, and they could just weld it back on or something. Well they said it wasn't really a big deal as long as the noise didn't bother me, so I just left it.

Well 3 years later, it is kinda getting to me. In reading other threads, it looks like there's more than one heat shield. How can I tell where it's at, and how can I fix it? It rattles mostly after reving, when it's going back down to idle, and sometimes at idle.

I popped the hood and reved the car while listening close to the engine, and it's definietly coming from somewhere right behind the engine, I can hear it real close, just can't see it.

Thanks.

The exhaust manifold has a metal heat shied around it. The mounts for the heat shield often break, resulting in a rattling noise such as you describe. So I would check the heat shields on the exhaust manifold, exhaust pipe and catalytic converter. This more than likley is a exhaust related issue.

The exhaust manifold has a metal heat shied around it. The mounts for the heat shield often break, resulting in a rattling noise such as you describe. So I would check the heat shields on the exhaust manifold, exhaust pipe and catalytic converter. This more than likley is a exhaust related issue.

Thanks, I'll check the Chilton and see if it can lead me in the direction of those areas and I'll go from there.

Ummmmm, just get the car safely in the air and visually look for the loose shield. Use a large hose clamp to re-secure it to the pipe.

Ummmmm, just get the car safely in the air and visually look for the loose shield. Use a large hose clamp to re-secure it to the pipe.

Yeah, I'm thinking that's a good idea. I need to get a couple more stands though. I've only got two and my jack. But I'm thinking doing that should reveal the annoyance.