Do I Need A Heat Shield On My Catalytic Converter?
It is imperative that car users put in all preventative measures to avert accidents.
Catalytic converters generate a considerable amount of heat that is hazardous to some engine components if not properly managed.
In order to protect those engine components, catalytic heat shields are used to manage the heat. The catalytic heat shields in a car are necessary and should be put on permanently for safety.
So long as the car manufacturers put on the catalytic heat shield on the car’s catalytic converter, it means that it is needed. The heat shield for the car catalytic converter helps to prevent unwanted accidents. In addition, catalytic heat converters in cars can sometimes cause fire outbreaks. Therefore, people need to have catalytic heat shields in their vehicles.
What Is a Catalytic Converter Heat shield?
The catalytic converter heat shield is simply an insulated metal panel that serves as a cover for the catalytic converter.
It is the mechanism used to protect the surrounding car components from excessive heat and damage. They are originally installed in every car model by the manufacturing company.
Therefore, you can classify the cat heat shield armor as a safety car component, hence the need to be cautious about their use and maintenance.
However, as a metal plate, it will, from time to time, suffer from rust and fall off, but you can replace it.
You can still drive your car around without the protective heat shield, but it is not always a safe practice.
I believe that you are aware that catalytic converters can cause fire outbreaks when they are overheated. The maintenance of the cat heat shield is relatively affordable.
Hence you don’t have any reason to risk your car.
In addition, the catalytic converter heat shield comes in various designs, styles, and outlooks. The multiple designs allow them to fit in any car model.
Therefore, feel free to make use of the aftermath product. However, for your safety and the safety of your car, I’ll recommend that you pay keen attention to the catalytic converter heat shield.
What Does The Catalytic Converter Heat Shield Do?
The heat shield usually put on the catalytic heat converter helps reduce excessive heat transmission in the engine.
The heat shield is placed so that it absorbs and contains heat from the catalytic converter. Therefore, the absence of the catalytic heat shield can lead to overheating in the car.
Also, car emissions are greatly lowered with the heat shield cover after the car starts up.
Again, overheating due to the absence of the heat shield on the cat converter can significantly alter the internal temperature of the car.
Heat shields help in reducing about 70% of the heat from the catalytic converter, thereby balancing the car’s internal temperature.
The catalytic heat shield is more appreciated in tropical regions of the world as it ensures car comfort.
Some car drivers may argue that the catalytic heat shield isn’t necessary because their cars have been in use without a protective heat shield for a long time.
Since the cat heat shield isn’t an engine part, you can drive your car without encountering any issues.
However, this is not always wise since catalytic heat converters can overheat and become a major cause of a fire outbreak.
What Happens If The Catalytic Converter Overheats?
With an overheated catalytic converter, you risk damaging some engine parts. There are a good number of the dangers of an overheated catalytic converter without protective heat shield armor.
For example, overheated catalytic converters will generate excessive heat that can melt down the engine bay.
Whenever the catalytic converter begins to overheat, part of the excessive heat goes to the engine bay.
Also, one can feel this excessive heat under the car’s hood can cause a fire outbreak. This situation can easily occur when you park an overheated converter on long dry grasses.
For example, your car fuel tank is by the corner, dry grass is available, and a very hot catalytic converter is underneath the car.
What do you expect from that kind of scenario? Your guess is as right as mine.
Secondly, an overheated catalytic converter will not work as it should. As a result, there will be incessant cases of car misfires, which increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Yes, it affects the environment, too, as it will fail to convert harmful chemicals into safer compounds. As you should know, this goes against the goal of any car manufacturing industry.
Finally, you should be aware that an overly overheating catalytic converter decreases the overall performance of the car engine.
Engine performance will gradually reduce until it leads to eventual breakdown. Remember that whatsoever tempers with your engine performance will utter fuel efficiency.
The above reasons should bring to bear the overall importance of the catalytic converter heat shield.
Catalytic Converter Heat Shield Problems
Like any other car part, the catalytic heat shield has side problems. Often, because of the problems encountered with the converter heat shield, many drivers drive without the shield car.
However, while some issues may require heat shield replacement, other common issues are minor and can be fixed without much stress.
The most common catalytic converter heat shield problem is the heat shield rattle. It is the rattling sound produced by the heat shield when it is damaged or broken.
Unfortunately, it is also the same case, especially for old vehicles, and you cannot just begin to imagine how annoying that sound is.
Sometimes, this rattling sound from the heat shield could result from loose heat shield bolts. In this case, the repair isn’t tedious.
Secondly, the catalytic heat shield can sometimes suffer from rust, although this rarely happens.
The heat shield is in the similitude to a protective armor made up of layers of stamped metals.
Their design can cover the catalytic exhaust manifold. However, the best remedy is to remove and replace the heat shield whenever this happens.
In my own opinion, whenever you encounter a problem with the catalytic heat shield, do well to fix the issue as soon as possible.
The issues range from heat shield rattles and loose heat shield bolts to heat shield rust. Not fixing the heat shield for most cars can lead to engine-related problems, which should avoid.
So, to avoid unprecedented occurrences, you should take caution when it comes to the catalytic heat shield.
Several of these related engine problems can result from heat shield failure. The most common include excessive heat from the engine compartment and a burning smell from the heated bay.
But, of course, you wouldn’t want anything to tamper with the performance of your car engine, especially for something as minor as a heat shield.
Conclusion
In all of our daily engagement, SAFE is better and as the saying goes, ‘prevent is far better than cure.’ With the protective role of the catalytic heat converter shield, you must take utmost caution.
Your car will work and run well without the catalytic converter heat shield, but it’s not always safe.
Therefore, I’ll recommend that you, by all means, ensure that the catalytic converter heat shield should be in good condition always.
