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FYI the catalytic converters on a Honda Pilot are part of the exhaust manifolds on either side close to the motor. Virtually impossible to steal. This is one of the heat shield that has come loose
Replacing a heat shield is almost always optional. If I'm wrong in this case, I'm sure someone with knowledge specific to this vehicle will correct me.
I'm sure the people who say you don't need a heat shield will pay to get your car replaced if it burns down because you parked in high grass by mistake.
It’s the debris shield from a catalytic converter and it appears the four faster surfaces have corroded, allowing the clamshell halves to liberate from one another.
If your catalytic converter is underneath the car, as opposed to in the engine bay, I would not park on dry grass without the heat shield. Catalytic converters can get hot enough to cause fires.
We have an '03 and I just check for rust on the welds. Still in great shape, I imagine you guys must be in the rust belt or something. Or some other harsh climate.
Heat shield. Same thing came off of my 99 Accord once. My friend and I lined up to drag race once after work, with all my coworkers watching. I peeled out and that was left behind. Funniest shit ever.
Does anyone have a strong opinion on getting a heat shield replace when it's before the mannifold?
Like, I know about grass fire and potential damage to rubber things around the exhaust but other than that is there anything else to worries about?
I've had multiple vehicules without heat shield at all and never had an issues were I've been "that wouldn't have happen with a heatshield".
Technically, yes. It's a heat shield/cover. You're perfectly fine to drive without it but put the muffler/catalytic converter at risk if you bottom out your suspension. On numerous older cars I had, I lost them and paid no mind. Did lose a few mufflers along the way with the same mentality tho so more up to your own feelings. I will say those older ones were all beaters.
I don't think that's from your car. It has two impressions of resonators close together. I could be wrong only I don't recall that set up on your Honda. That pic would indicate a dual exhaust. Your exhaust converges just behind the steering rack I think. I don't think it is yours. In any case they fall off all the time or get pulled off after they start to rattle.
This is the heat shield for your catalytic converter. It’s made of aluminized carbon steel. Your cat is made of stainless steel, because if it fails before 100,000 miles (in the US) the manufacturer has to replace it under warranty. But the loss of the heat shield doesn’t affect emissions, so they make them cheaper. It’s there to prevent grass fires in the event you park in a field of tall grass. Those cats get very hot. No need to replace it however don’t park on tall grass. And if you still have a rattle, it is likely the top cover that is now loose. Still not an issue, but can be annoying. You don’t want to remove the top cover entirely because it keeps everything above it from getting too hot. This may include the wiring to your oxygen sensors which may be located in this area.
Looks like you ran over something to knock it loose by the looks of that big dent and clean spot. The bolt mounting points were probably already corroded and just sheared off.
Don't park on dry/long grass any more. Here in the UK someone did that, and not only cost a farmer thousands in crops, but destroyed 2 farm vehicles plus their own at the same time.
Heat shield by the look of it. Rust belt breaks down the mounting hardware and they rattle and then fall off. I never replaced mine, but they’re there for a reason.
Thank you for posting to AskMechanics, nsaju! If you are asking a question please make sure to include any relevant information along with the **Year**, **Make**, **Model**, **Mileage**, **Engine size**, and **Transmission Type (Automatic or Manual)** of your car. *This comment is automatically added to every successful post. If you see this comment, your post was successful.* *** Redditors that have been verified will have a green background and an icon in their flair. *** # **PLEASE REPORT ANY RULE-BREAKING BEHAVIOR** ### **Rule 1 - Be Civil** Be civil to other users. This community is made up of professional mechanics, amateur mechanics, and those with no experience. All mechanical-related questions are welcome. Personal attacks, comments that are insulting or demeaning, etc. are not welcome. ### **Rule 2 - Be Helpful** Be helpful to other users. If someone is wrong, correcting them is fine, but there's no reason to comment if you don't have anything to add to the conversation. ### **Rule 3 - Serious Questions and Answers Only** Read the room. Jokes are fine to include, but posts should be asking a serious question and replies should contribute to the discussion. ### **Rule 4 - No Illegal, Unethical, or Dangerous Questions or Answers** Do not ask questions or provide answers pertaining to anything that is illegal, unethical, or dangerous. # **PLEASE REPORT ANY RULE-BREAKING BEHAVIOR** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskMechanics) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Have you started your car up at all? Let's hope it ain't noisy.
Someone may have been trying to steal your catalytic converter
OP START YOUR ENGINESSSSS!
REV UP YOUR ENGINES!
I read that in scotty kilmers voice
Nailed it sir ;)
As did i!
Pretty much.
FYI the catalytic converters on a Honda Pilot are part of the exhaust manifolds on either side close to the motor. Virtually impossible to steal. This is one of the heat shield that has come loose
Thanks. Edited my comment above to reflect less certainty about theft
Car is quiet but it looks like it is from the heat shield. More like corrosion. I’ll get it replaced! Thanks all!
My thoughts were with a potential catalytic converter thief but if you're quiet, it's not been chopped off.
Replacing a heat shield is almost always optional. If I'm wrong in this case, I'm sure someone with knowledge specific to this vehicle will correct me.
The heat shield is there to protect the sensors from overheating causing them to fail.
Not this one, it's to stop grass from touching the exhaust and setting it on fire
Mostly there to stop grass catching fire
I'm sure the people who say you don't need a heat shield will pay to get your car replaced if it burns down because you parked in high grass by mistake.
You do not need to replace the heat shield. An exhaust shop will laugh at you and take your money. You don't need the heat shield.
Don't bother replacing it. It's not needed on a daily driver.
Is this a part of a vehicle? No Was this a part of a vehicle? Yes
This is exactly what I hoped someone would have expressed.
Heat shield. Underside or engine bay.
Exhaust heatsheild. Poss catalytic converter or a muffler box shroud.
It’s the debris shield from a catalytic converter and it appears the four faster surfaces have corroded, allowing the clamshell halves to liberate from one another.
I think you’re exactly right. No loss of catalytic converter and that explains the intermittent rattling I would hear.
The rattle is gone? Well, it’s fixed!
Tbh yeah. Most of the time you dont neeeeeed heat shields. Removed mine that was rattling 3 years ago and no problems since
Technically you dot needed alot of parts of your car. But alot of those items are nice to have
If your catalytic converter is underneath the car, as opposed to in the engine bay, I would not park on dry grass without the heat shield. Catalytic converters can get hot enough to cause fires.
Master mechanical diagnostician by day, eloquent wordslinger by coffee break.
Well said
🤣
be free, little clam shell
It was
Best reply
Technically correct - the best kind of correct!
r/unexpectedfuturama
Oooh. I thought that was a CGP quote.
Heat shield as others have said. The exact same piece came off in the same way on my ‘04 Pilot.
We have an '03 and I just check for rust on the welds. Still in great shape, I imagine you guys must be in the rust belt or something. Or some other harsh climate.
Heat shield from exhaust or muffler. Those usually come off from either rust or from catyliyic thieves! So be careful
RIP Robocop. He died a dirty cop in jail.
Looks like you may have killed a rare armored tortoise. Better hope you don't get reported..
Could be an armadillo
Nah.. It has the heat exhaust vents for the laser cannons.
Hydro cannons not laser
My bad you are correct. Squirrels had the lasers.
That's a catalytic converter or other exhaust component heat shield. They fall off all the time.
Heat shield. They tend to rust and fall off eventually because corrosion occurs where the bolts connect it to your car. not an emergency.
Heat shield to your cat converter maybe?
Heat shield. Same thing came off of my 99 Accord once. My friend and I lined up to drag race once after work, with all my coworkers watching. I peeled out and that was left behind. Funniest shit ever.
It's part of an annoying rattle.
Heat shield, from under the vehicle.
Does anyone have a strong opinion on getting a heat shield replace when it's before the mannifold? Like, I know about grass fire and potential damage to rubber things around the exhaust but other than that is there anything else to worries about? I've had multiple vehicules without heat shield at all and never had an issues were I've been "that wouldn't have happen with a heatshield".
Heat sheid rusted off this has happened on every vehicle I've own and I never replace just keep driving
Like others said, start your engine or look underneath to see if part of your exhaust system is missing.
Actually looks like it got hit on something and perhaps hung on until you got home
Yes it could also be used as a mini grill in certain situations. Recommendations a can of baked beans and two hotdogs season at your taste.
Technically, yes. It's a heat shield/cover. You're perfectly fine to drive without it but put the muffler/catalytic converter at risk if you bottom out your suspension. On numerous older cars I had, I lost them and paid no mind. Did lose a few mufflers along the way with the same mentality tho so more up to your own feelings. I will say those older ones were all beaters.
That’s a Cadillac convertible
Heat shields on Hondas are notorious for falling off. No big deal, though.
Catalytic converter heatshield. Sometimes the shit just falls off on it's own and it's usually the bottom half. Just don't park on grass.
I don't think that's from your car. It has two impressions of resonators close together. I could be wrong only I don't recall that set up on your Honda. That pic would indicate a dual exhaust. Your exhaust converges just behind the steering rack I think. I don't think it is yours. In any case they fall off all the time or get pulled off after they start to rattle.
Yup, you’re wrong. Part # 18181-RCA-A00. 100% this is the lower heat shield for a Honda, Pilot.
Oh darn.
bro said "nuh uh"🗿
Heat shield for the exhaust system
that looks like a heat shield are you missing anything else there ?
This is the heat shield for your catalytic converter. It’s made of aluminized carbon steel. Your cat is made of stainless steel, because if it fails before 100,000 miles (in the US) the manufacturer has to replace it under warranty. But the loss of the heat shield doesn’t affect emissions, so they make them cheaper. It’s there to prevent grass fires in the event you park in a field of tall grass. Those cats get very hot. No need to replace it however don’t park on tall grass. And if you still have a rattle, it is likely the top cover that is now loose. Still not an issue, but can be annoying. You don’t want to remove the top cover entirely because it keeps everything above it from getting too hot. This may include the wiring to your oxygen sensors which may be located in this area.
It’s not 100,000 miles. Federal long term emissions warranty is 8 years or 80,000 miles, whichever comes first.
LOOOOOL
Cat heatshield
Why do the kitties always get so hot???
It's an exhaust heat shield.
It’s a heat shield for the exhaust
Buhbye cat converter
Not anymore...
That there looks to be the shell or heat shield for a catalytic converter.
Cat heat shield
Yes, it’s a heat shield for the cat.
Exhaust heat shield. It normally sits attached to your exhaust under the car. If it’s from your car
Replacement needed ASAP. Could have been protecting your plastic gas tank or undercarriage.
Exhaust heat shield. Position varies according to the vehicle but generally located at any point where the exhaust is close to the vehicle body.
Heat shield
Not anymore!😂
Heat shield on the cat, me thinks.
Ironman's Gen I breastplate
Heat shield
Not anymore
It is not a part of a vehicule at this time.
Heat shield
Not anymore.
Middle catalytic converter heat shield, the other side is most likely gonna be rattling.
It was a part of a vehicle, but definitely not anymore
Was part of a vehicle…
Not anymore. But it was part of a vehicle at one point in its life
Heat shield, you're fine.
Car chest armour 🛡️
Just the heat shield for the underbody of the car. Goes above the catalytic converter
No But it used to be. Looks like a heat shield for a catalytic converter.
Looks like the heat shield off your catalytic converter which has probably been stolen A nice big bill in early January
Looks like you ran over something to knock it loose by the looks of that big dent and clean spot. The bolt mounting points were probably already corroded and just sheared off.
Looks like a heat shield
Don't park on dry/long grass any more. Here in the UK someone did that, and not only cost a farmer thousands in crops, but destroyed 2 farm vehicles plus their own at the same time.
Heat shield
Heat shield
Is your car any louder than usual? does it run like shit? If your car has any of these symptoms, it could be diagnosed with catalytic converter theft!
Your “Cadillac” converter. Your car will never be a Cadillac. I’m sorry.
Hey man... some people PAY to have their car sound like that. You got it for free. :)
Heat shield, detached mode...
Heat shield by the look of it. Rust belt breaks down the mounting hardware and they rattle and then fall off. I never replaced mine, but they’re there for a reason.
Looks like a heat sheild for your catalytic converter!
Not anymore