When we bought my fiancée's 1998 Civic EX sedan, there was a nasty buzz, so the dealer removed the bottom heat sheild of the catylitic converter. Problem solved - until recently.

A new buzz has come back and it's now the top cover rattling. Is it safe to run the cat without a cover on the top as well, or should I get a new set of covers? I'm just worried about leaves or something getting on top of the cat and catching fire.

 

You can just take it off. You don't really need it.

 

That's what I kinda figured.

Any idea how much a new heat shield would cost if I did decide to replace it?