front heat shield. (under car) woes

[scjimbo]

Right, got the front heat shield off the car today and to be frank its buggered. The worst part is the threaded mounts that are welded into the bottom of the car have corroded away to nothing.

Problem being now even if i get a new one I cant hold it on, barring no more nails.

Question is can I get away without it? I was thinking of using some of that asbestos exhast wrap that you use on motorbike manifolds.

Any suggestions very gratefully received.

[hennared323i]

Weld on new mounts?

[Grrrmachine]

Which car, and which heat shield? The thin aluminium stuff that goes up against the bulkhead?

[hennabm]

If it's the plate that runs underside of the engine and gearbox then the car will run perfectly without any of it there.

[scjimbo]

Which car, and which heat shield? The thin aluminium stuff that goes up against the bulkhead?

That's the one. It goes a little way up the bulkhead and a little way under the car. It is bloody thin too, which got me wondering if its essential.

Ed: it's a 320 chromie 2 door.

[scjimbo]

If it's the plate that runs underside of the engine and gearbox then the car will run perfectly without any of it there.

I'm sure it will run fine, but will it burst into flames.

[jimmyspeed]

this is what i did, you might find the rust has worked its way up through the floor too

the underseal does melt easily and does also catch fire!!!

[scjimbo]

this is what i did, you might find the rust has worked its way up through the floor too

the underseal does melt easily and does also catch fire!!!

Nice work mate, but sod that. I'm hoping from what I can see its limited to just the fastenings. Ill rip off the mastic to make sure.

So will it burst into flames or not guys?

[jimmyspeed]

cheers, definetly have a look preferably take up the carpet, i thought there was just rust in the drivers footwell but is all over - even a small bubble or patch can be hiding alot of rust!!

[zd3bx]

If BMW decided to put a heatshield there, that means it was needed.

[scjimbo]

If BMW decided to put a heatshield there, that means it was needed.

Yeah well you are probably right there. If it wasn't for the fact that I have no real option other than sky hooks to attach it I wouldn't ask. That's why I wondered about the asbestos tape.

[scjimbo]

So a mixed reception then. Just been looking at wraps online. Seems like it will do the job.

[harry_p]

If you can't be bothered to fix the mounts then some self tappers boshed up through the floor will have it attached again.

Have you ever wrapped an exhaust before?

It's not much fun!

[scjimbo]

I have but on a motorbike. Can't be as bad as trying to re weld a load of studding onto the bottom of a car, especially as I only have tig welding facilities. Plus it has to be a better solution than self tappers through the floor.