Replace it.

 

Okay, but has anyone had experience w/ one of these heat shield "mats" ? I think I'll remove the rusted out one and stick one of these underneath the car... seems simple enough.

Car Turbo Exhaust Muffler Insulation Heat Shield Mat 100cm x 100cm x 0 5cm | eBay

 

The reason for the heat shield is to prevent a fire caused by driving over dry leaves and grass. A catalytic converter can get very hot.

 

I definitely wouldn't use the mat you linked to. I highly doubt it's rated for the temps on the surface of the converter.

The stock shield is meant to have an air gap for insulation.

I've used large hose clamps sometimes in series to hold the shields in place when the bolts rust out/off.

 

Thanks everyone for your replies! This heat shield replacement would be for the part directly on top of the muffler, is that the same as a catalytic converter? Also, these mats aren't supposed to be installed to be in contact with the muffler; there should be a gap of air between the mat and the muffler itself since this mat is installed on the car like this photo:

 

Whether it's a muffler or converter an air gap is essential.

 

That is a 'hard' heat shield and is the only effective guard from heat radiation for short distances from the parts of exhaust system. Very high heat cannot be put aside by wind any more than you can bend a flashlight beam with wind. It must be replaced with a shield of the same kind. I can hardly believe Toyota didn't use high quality stainless fasteners there ... but they clearly didn't do the right thing.

 

Toyota bolts rust like crazy ... even in the engine compartment!

 

They sure do - so I've taken to applying a coating of Fluid Film to just about everyone that I see now. This stuff does wonders to keep the rust from forming.

 

I would remove it before it falls off on the road and causes a hazard. Same problem happened with my Camry years ago. Remove and kept it , ran without it and put in the trunk when I traded the car.

and

+1 on the Toyota bolts rust like crazy remark.

 

I remember when Japanese cars had cadmium plated nuts and bolts everywhere. The plating gave them a slight golden look, and they didn't rust! Guess they quit that to save a few pennies.

 

I remember it well, too.

Due to toxicity concerns, the European Union banned it several years ago (with some exceptional applications) and it is going down in the USA, too. Agreed, however, that Toyota probably is happy with the cost savings, except for those parts that cause recalls.

 

I picked up my car from the dealership this afternoon after they replaced the water pump and worked on a couple of recalls to find out they had removed the heat shield completely. Yes, I can complain about it but I think I'll save some brain cells & energy and look into those heat shield mats. I will be back to update on this!

In regards to those cadmium plated nuts and bolts, FUNNY you should mention it because I had to replace my mom's side view mirror on her 2000 Toyota Corolla. I removed a cover to unveil 3 SHINY golden nuts and bolts holding up that mirror assembly. Those nuts are 13 years old and they're still SHINY and GOLDEN!

 

What if the bolts have fallen out. Does anyone know where to get replacements because I couldn’t find any.

 

My short answer is "bolts is bolts" but you are replying to an nearly eight year thread that had already wandered around some. You'll need to give more specifics and to what bolts you're talking about and maybe a picture.

 

The bolts that go to this shield that is right over the muffler is what I’m looking for. I couldn’t find any diagrams for this shield showing the parts. This was the only discussion I found relevant.

P.S. where I assume the stock muffler would be, my custom exhaust has the resonator pictured at the bottom and the muffler slightly further up.

 

In somewhat similar situations I have obtained stainless steel replacement bolts from Ace Hardware. Where we are they stock them with metric coarse and fine threads and archaic U.S. threads.

 

Any bolts that fit thru the holes (which you may have to drill out a little to make them round) will do. I'd use a fender washer under the heat shield end.

 

My heat shield looks just like yours. The only thing rusted through are the washer holes behind the nuts. I'm pretty sure a larger washer and additional nut will fix this. Only issue is I don't know what size nut, have to experiment.

 

I just had to fix this on mine after something hit the front of the shield and ripped 2 of the mounts off. The nuts are M6x1.0 with a 10mm hex. I just put some stainless fender washers under(above?) the factory nuts.

 

Thanks. I stumbled into the same fix. The shield rattles a little because of a gap between the back of the shield and old washer. I'm thinking about a small spacer behind the shield.....hasn't annoyed me enough yet to do it.

 

Easy fix i couldn't remove the old bolts too rusty so i put the nylon spacer and than wing nut over the old bolt i used wrench to to tighten the wing nuts

You can also put plaine thin spacer than nylon spacer than wing put

Everbilt 1/2 in. ID x 1 in. OD x 3/8 in. Length Nylon Spacer 815128 - The Home Depot

Visit the Home Depot to buy Crown Bolt 3/8 in. x 1 in. Nylon Spacer 87378

www.homedepot.com

Everbilt 1/4 in.-20 Zinc Plated Wing Nut (4-Pack) 825281 - The Home Depot

Visit the Home Depot to buy Crown Bolt 1/4 in.-20 Coarse Zinc-Plated Steel Wing Nuts (4-Pack) 19011

www.homedepot.com