Hi Folks!

The second stage of my catalytic converter has some pretty bad rust damage, and I wanted some opinions on if I could help prevent further damage.





The heat shield is rusted and flaking off on the bottom. The three bolt interface to the muffler pipe is really bad though - the bolts themselves are practically falling apart.

Here's the exploded diagram:


The part identified as #1 appears to be the whole converter and pipe assembly with a nice price tag of $1100 OEM. The mating muffler part is $150.

Should I try replacing the heat shield? Clearing the rust on the three bolt interface? Thanks for any help!

 

What year is your car? Here in Canada there is a 7 yr wty on the converter.

 

Cat will be under warranty if you get a code, but not for rust...


If it ever fails, replace it with an aftermarket. Rock Auto seels them for 190-350$. OEM is crazy expensive!


As for the heat-shield, I would just remove it. Just be careful if you park over very tall grass...

 

It's a 2009.

Why remove the heat-shield?

Thanks!

 

Yeah the heat shield is only for that purpose -- it doesn't protect the car (aside from, say, fire). I had this happen on a car, we just took it off once it started rattling, a del Sol is not the type of thing you take into tall grass in say Arizona where it's super dry.

You might notice there is an UPPER heat shield on top, that one is more important, if that were missing the floor would get hot and possibly could damage the body coatings.

I would do nothing as long as nothing is leaking; but at some point something will start to leak and it's going to be a bear to disconnect the muffler pipe and catalyst. Unfortunately, every car I've had ended up gradually going in this direction so I think there's not a ton you can do if you want to keep a car for a while.