Hi I posted yesterday. I'm trying to solve an exhaust rattle which I assumed was from my catalytic converter's heat shield. However once I got under the car, I had no idea what I was looking for. So I took a picture of the only exhaust component with a shield but I fear that this is the flex pipe which I believe they put on FWD cars to help with backpressure. Please post ASAP as I'm trying to remedy this before the weekend is over. Thanks in advance.

P.S. This is a 93 Del Sol SI

http://img406.imageshack.us/im...t.jpg

http://img406.imageshack.us/im...c.jpg

 

That's the cat and it is the heatshield you're looking for.

FYI. flexpipes are for just that... flexing... it's for transverse mounted engines to absorb some of the twisting of the engine during reving.

 

When does it rattle when you rev the engine?

 

well i only hear it when I'm next to a wall with the window down. But usually on take off out of first gear. Under that shield looks pretty ate up though. Think maybe I should just get it replaced?

 

yea they start to rattle once they get rusted and the blots that hold them dont hold anymore. It wont hurt to take it off I took mine off because of the same reason.

 

thanks man. I was just kinda worried about the condition of that cat. Looked kinda rusted. And removing the four downward facing bolts should remove the bottom shield , right?

 

from the pic the CAT does look pretty bad, but you'll be able to know if it needs to be replaced once you take it off. Yea the bolts that hold around it take them off and it comes off.

 

cool man. I'm hoping the thing doesn't just crumble when I take that shield off. I'll be sure to post when I get the p.o.s off of there. THanks a TON for the help. Handiest n00b on here.

 

yea no prob check out http://www.solsociety.com for del sol info.

 

well I got the shields off but there is still rattling. Someone mentioned maybe some metal flakes in the muffler? This sounds reasonable since the sounds is definitely towards the rear. Any suggestions? All the exhaust underneath looks to be in excellent shape. Thanks in advance.