Repaired... no more rattle... LoL.

Tech went home for the day...

Can't make this stuff up. I"m sorry for my sick sense of humor but this is just one of the funniest posts in a while.

 

Repaired... no more rattle

There is no lie detected.

 

Looks like you are correct. Heat shield was removed, repair order line intentionally vague on how the rattle noise was fixed to avoid stating heat shield was removed and not replaced. You were not given an option on how to repair rattle noise of replace heat shield or remove heat shield I assume? I dislike removing heat shields but if the customer prefers that method over replacing it, that's up to the customer and I will repair as directed. I would definitely be discussing this with the service manager.

 

I was given no option, no, they just said "it's back up". Like if they told me "yeah nah it's beyond repair, you need a new one, wanna remove it for now?" then cool, we figure it out, get new one ordered etc. but nothing like that. The "no more rattle"...lmao just...chef's kiss. I didn't even bring it in because of the rattle, I mean it was rattling obviously, but I specifically requested to fix the heat shield, not the rattle. And I thought taking it to Subaru over some local garage is the right call cause they won't pull some poop on me with this lol. The irony...

 

Obviously they should have told you your options.
They did remove it, but it seems like that is the typical go to remedy as there generally isn't much left to repair when they are rusted enough to fall off.

Just for fun, I tried to find the OEM muffler heat shield, which doesn't seem to exist on any Subaru parts sites.
Maybe it is a dealer only available part, if it's still available, in which case pricey is likely.
Edit: @j3rf found it as a body, rather than as a muffler, part. $46.25 in his link below..

You could try a junk yard, but those are probably in the same condition as the one you had.

Another option is making one yourself. or getting one fabricated at a muffler shop.
That could be cheaper than the dealer option.

 

Listed under body rather than engine with the exhaust pipe components.

https://parts.subaru.com/p/Subaru_2016_Forester-25L-CVT-Premium/Exhaust-Heat-Shield-Cover-Complete-Exhaust-Right--Rear/62905526/59020FJ002.html

59020FJ002

 

even looks like he made a spot weld....

 

I wonder if there is any money in used black market heat shields.

 

Very likely.
Especially for the rusted out parts, as it takes years to get the patina "just right" to turn a part into art..

 

FWIW, I DIY installed a Curt trailer hitch on my 2014 some years ago. The installation instructions called for removal of the heat shield. I'm thinking it must not be a very critical part. It was just a thin piece of stamped sheet metal.

 

Okay, count me in.

Well, don't count me in but I might know somebody who probably knows somebody if anybody might need a heat shield. 👹

 

Make one out of reynolds wrap. Be better than oem.

 

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What did the stealership charge you for this "repair"?

 

Hi Ernie. With our 2014 we did the exact same thing on the driver's side and it has fallen down from all four holes rusting out around the stupid steel bolts they put on a thin piece of crappy metal for the heat shield and it was sitting on the exhaust so I pulled it out no more rattle.

Irony is, most of the time, those heat shields are actually not needed.

 

Mine was rattling and I took some wire with a pliers and just tightened it down. No more rattle and it saved me money.

 

On our 2020 Forester Limited, the heat shield fell off and rattled in about 2 months. Took it to Subaru, they re-installed it. Last year, it started to rattle again. Took it to a local garage and they said that it was so rusted they could not re-installed it. So, no heat shield ever since.

 

Considering how well Subaru heat shields fail due to rust, it makes me wonder why they don't use galvanized steel, if not aluminum, which would actually not rust to pieces in a few years, but then, is that what makes a Subaru a Subaru...

 

If heat shields were not needed, or critical for a vehicle, why would the manufacturer go through the trouble and expense to design, manufacture and install them? They are there to either prevent damage to the vehicle, or to prevent a fire or both. They are there for a very good reason.
If they are part of the design to prevent damage or fire, then your dealer/mechanic has put you and your car at risk and CAN be held libel for damages, if any were to occur, by purposely removing them. What if the situation were to escalate and burn your garage and house down, if you park in a garage? I would ask them about those talking points, and keep all documentation you have, that indicates they removed the heat shield(s), in case you need them in court.

 

Why install a part that is not truly needed?
There is likely an attorney involved.

Why do hammers have a don't hit yourself on the head stickers on them...

Not all heat shields are equal. The ones around the cat are important. It needs to heat up quick and gets very hot.
Since many people remove the rear muffler shield without issue, this appears to be low risk.

If they all are truly needed, why are they not rust protected?

 

Why install a part that is not truly needed?
There is likely an attorney involved.

Why do hammers have a don't hit yourself on the head stickers on them...

Not all heat shields are equal. The ones around the cat are important. It needs to heat up quick and gets very hot.
Since many people remove the rear muffler shield without issue, this appears to be low risk.

If they all are truly needed, why are they not rust protected?

Some good questions in there. Here's a thought...there are MANY things that could fail on a car without any obvious sign to the owner... so less revenue opportunity for dealer. But how about if we made these shields out of tin foil so they corrode almost instantly and created a noisy ruckus....so innocent car owner goes...straight to dealer for a VERY over priced heat shield service...plus whatever else they find while there. Planned obsolescence. Brilliant.