HELP! Part falling off engine?!
 

Help! There is a part falling off the bottom of my 2007 Fit, somewhere between the front tires. (Photo below was taken from passenger side, behind front tire.)

Can anybody tell me (1) what this part is; (2) whether I need to call a tow truck, or if there is a temporary fix that I can do to make this safe to drive in for repairs; and (3) approximately how much it should cost for this repair?

I don't know much about car repairs (obviously!), so I apologize if this isn't quite the right forum. Thank you for any help that you can offer!

http://www.mediafire.com/view/vt2oeu9jkysf333/tmp.jpg (link: http://www.mediafire.com/view/vt2oeu9jkysf333/tmp.jpg)

ur pic doesn't work

Sorry, this is my first time posting on a forum. I tried fixing the link in the original post, so hopefully that works now. Here is the pic: http://www.mediafire.com/view/vt2oeu9jkysf333/tmp.jpg

Thanks!

that looks like the catalytic converter shield. you can remove it if its only the shield. otherwise if your exhaust is louder than usual than your cat may be affected too.

So it's safe to drive, if I can remove or secure that shield back in place?

Any idea of what approximately a repair should cost?

Thank you!!

if it's just the shield, then its $25 from bernardi

18181-PWA-J10 | Honda COVER (LOWER) - Bernardi Parts

with a jack or ramps you can do it urself.

if it affected ur catalytic converter then its around $800 part for the part....

did u run over something?

I don't know how it happened--there are several drivers in my family, and nobody remembers anything out of the ordinary.

Thank you for the info!

Those shields flex and rust off all by themselves. I'm sure nobody ran over anything...



The difficult thing about replacing them is the rusted bolts. (Those are usually "frozen" in place.)

Recommend removing the shield. (Might have to cut it off, be respectful of the wires to the oxygen sensors!)

I agree. I believe it is a heat shield. It is used to keep the catalytic converter from catching grass the below it on fire when parked. After you remove the shield just do not park over any dry grass or leaves. It should be a simple replacement. Those things are cheap and flimsy. They usually rust and fall off after a number of years.

This exact part was hanging down on my daughter's 2007. It is the heat shield on the bottom side of the catalytic converter. In our situation, one end had corroded enough to disengage the mount and it hung down just as your's did in the picture. The other end was still attached pretty securely. I had to use large tin snips to cut the part off. We never bothered replacing the part, (although at some point I should, to eliminate the combustion potential as n9cv indicated)

go to your local hardware store and pick up 2 hose clamps like these

then just clamp the thing back on and you should be good to go
Attachment 86855

thats an awesome trick. +rep to u, oh wait that feature is gone..

it tastes bitter lol :p

Duh!!!

Why didn't I think of that?

Thanks. I remember that if it ever happens to one of my Fits.

That is exactly how the heat shields are held on to the mufflers of my motor home. I also have two more heat shields where the exhaust pipe goes by the fuel tanks. Those shields are also held on with the same type of stainless clamps. I just never though of it on the Fit.

i can help however your picture doesnt show up