C5 Exhaust Heat Shield - Do I Need It?

[citrophile]

Hi

Am fitting a towbar on my C5 and the heat shield above the rear exhaust box is just floating around as all the fixings have corroded.

Do I actually need to have this above the rear box. I wouldn't have thought it gets hot and I can't see what it would protect anyway if it did.

Thanks

Rob

 

[Johndouglas]

In theory at least, I suppose the heat shield protects the boot area and the spare wheel well from overheating.    But looking at the underside, it would seem that no real harm could be done by not having it there.    Having said that, manufacturers don't usually go to unnecessary expense needlessly.    On balance, I would try to fix it.   If the original fixings have corroded, it shouldn't be too difficult to refix with blocks of rubber and Epoxy paste.

[paul.h]

I do not know about the C5, but when the fixings on our C3 corroded, it was fixed back using large penny washers (25mm OD), about £1 from Toolstation if you need any.

[coastline taxis]

Depends on what model you have. if its got a fap filter and you do a forced regeneration youl need the heat shield when it hits 450 degrees. Also the heat shield doubles up as sound deadening and helps stops the low droning noise the baffles in the exhaust give out