Vectra heat shield

I had the gasket between the manifold and engine block replaced. The
mechanic sheared a couple of bolts for the heat shield (not the manifold
bolts thankfully), so left the heat sheld off because he said it would
rattle (only the right and bottom bolts are OK). He said it is fine without
it, and it is just there to stop you touching the manifold while you are
poking about in there.

Anyone know if he is talking rubbish? Do you need the heat shield (they
went out of their way to put it on for a reason)?

Is there a way of fastening it without buying a new manifold (since the
bolts are sheared off inside the manifold bolt holes).

Bob

 

Forgot to mention, R reg, 2.0 16v (X20CEV I think) with oil separator mod.

Bob

 

The Cav had a similar setup - and whilst I agree that VX went to some
trouble to add the heat shield, judging by all the Cavs that I came
across in the scrappers when looking for a replacement (the mounting
lugs on mine rusted to nowt) the vast majority of older cars got by fine
without them fitted.

Personally, I did prefer to keep mine on (in my case, replacing the lost
material around the mounting holes with alu plate, pop riveted onto the
heat shield). In your case, dunno?, is there any exhaust compound that
could be used to bond the shield to the manifold?

 

if the car caught fire and the insurance co. noticed the missing heatshield,
they wouldn't pay out.
I'd take it back and INSIST they fit one.
Cars may be fine with 'bits' removed/missing, but at the end of the day if a
company could save money by not fitting bits, they wouldn't.
Obviously vaux think its a necessary part, so the insurance would class it
as modified without.
Beleive me, if an insurance co. can get out of paying up they will. (past
experience).
Not worth the risk IMHO.

Mark

 

Well it is on with 2 bolts. I have not noticed any rattling at any engine
speed, so that is a plus. On the left hand side (2 bolts are missing from
the top, on the centre and left) there is a bracket I could use to wedge a
piece of metal in to stop any vibration.

He seems to be under the impression that if the bolts shear off while he is
replacing a gasket, it is down to me to pay for a new manifold, or the
removal of the broken piece of bolt / re-tapping. He said the manifold may
crack if he attempted itI will not be going there again. If he drives my
car into the wall while trying to get it on a ramp, do I have to pay for
that as well?

Bob