Problem under car

[telly20]

Hi,
I was driving in the rain yesterday, and went through a big puddle of water, didn't see it until i was in it, wasn't going that fast though.

however since then the car hasn't sounded right, sounds ruff when going along slowly and reversing.

I looked under the car to see this...

http://i43.tinypic.com/34xm4xk.jpg

somehow it doesn't look right?

Thanks

 

[Avocet]

That looks like an exhaust heat shield that has been ripped-off by the force of the water and is just hanging on the exhaust - probably rattling and buzzing like mad. Just needs to be put back on with some big washers or something.

 

[Burnerman]

Yep, as above.....very common. These shrouds are held on by large square self tap nuts, and they rust the shroud through. Remove the nut with pliers, push the shroud back and then use a penny washer before the nut goes back on.
John

 

[JohnD]

or take it to a kwikfit type place. They can easily hoist it up for access. Depending on how they feel they might try to sell you a new exhaust, or screw the old shield back on. If they do just refix the old one, bung the fitter a fiver.

When working under my own car, I now always use stainless screws, nuts and washers, with a bit of grey grease.

 

[Avocet]

Be REALLY careful with stainless if it's in electrical contact with mild steel. It's VICIOUS! It robs the mild steel of electrons and accelerates the corrosion of any mild steel in contact with it.

 

[JohnD]

oh yes, sorry, I'd forgotten as I do not have a steel car. It is safe to use stainless in some conditions, e.g. plastic trim and undertrays, and alloys. I suppose you will have to make do with galvanised.

I remember someone from the dockyard complaining that the holes in the decks of type 42 destroyers rotted away from the fixings in them.