Hmmm...something seems wrong here.

"RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars" (rallydarkstrike)
03/27/2019 at 17:38 • Filed to: Rust, Heats hields

This is my exhaust manifold heatshield in the engine bay .....anybody notice anything strange? Like how it’s not quite sitting correctly?

It seems that it has rusted out exactly ONLY around the holes that bolt it in place... 0_o

As in, the bolts are all still in there here, but the actual metal around them has rusted away and the shield has fallen and is currently being supported by nothing more than the O2 sensor as far as I can tell (though maybe some other bolts farther down? Not sure...)

Also, conveniently, in the first picture you will note that the bracket that is welded to the heatshield that holds the O2 sensor cable has also rusted away.....so it has rusted through on ONLY the EXACT places that actually are most important! Super!

Anybody have any experience unbolting O2 sensors? If I were to try and pull one of these shields from a Rio or Accent at the local pick and pull yard, how hard is it going to be to get that thing out...?

Oddly, you can’t hear any rattling from it at all while idling or driving! 0_o

DISCUSSION (6)

Future next gen S2000 owner > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
03/27/2019 at 17:57

Localized issues. I’m not surprised it rusted out around the bolts. Possibly a mis matched metal issue .

Chinny Raccoon > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
03/27/2019 at 17:57

Those heat shield bolts won’t want to come out.

To pull the O2 you need a socket with a slot in the side, they can be picked up reasonably cheaply.

It’s probably fine without the shield.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Chinny Raccoon
03/27/2019 at 18:05

Damn, you think those bolts would be rusted in there? They bolt to the manifold apparently...was just looking it up in the Service Manual.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Future next gen S2000 owner
03/27/2019 at 18:06

C ould be! My car has more kms than my brother’s and mother’s Accents, but it’s not happening on theirs!

Chinny Raccoon > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
03/27/2019 at 18:41

Every time I’ve done them (twice), they either snap or the heads are too rusty to get enough grip on.

LOREM IPSUM > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
03/27/2019 at 18:44

You can also use a combination wrench on the sensor if you can access it. . Done it many times, never owned the special socket, ymmv.