Heat shield rattling

[paqman]

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.

[93 Freshcort]

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.

[paqman]

Originally Posted by 93 Freshcort

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.

[Johnny Mullet]

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.

[paqman]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mullet

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.