lexussc400

i think it's just old but i'm thinking of just removing it..should i???
will it do something in the long run???

amati5

I had this problem about 4 mos ago. It was the bab clam. I replaced it with one from an auto part store.

lexussc400

how much did the parts cost?? how long did it take?

amati5

Costed me about $2 and some change. Cutting the old clam off will save you time. It's too corroded to be unscrewed. The whole job shoud take less than 15 mins.

The Ikon

Are you guys talking about the pop corn, popping, pinging sound underneath the car as the car heats from the cats? That can be heard for 2 minutes after the car is turned off, or something else?

lexussc400

it was the heat shield..i got it removed and the problem is solved

but i have that sound too after i turn off my car...how do u fix that

The Ikon

I don't know exactly. There was a thread that had some recommendations for it. I'll look for it and post it... I still looking for the correct answer my self.

So, where is the "shield" you guys are talking about?

amati5

This sound is normal. The sound from heat shields happens when you drive off in the cold temperature and goes away when the exhaust get warmed up. It's no big deal, but it's also an easy fix. There is one on each side, underneath the car. When your car is cold, check to see if their clams are loose. If they are, tighten them up if you can or just cut them off and replace them with new ones.

The Ikon

Kool........... I'll see if this works since you say it's only a couple bucks and a lil' time... Keep ya' posted.

platinumJZZ31

I had the same metallic rattling sound coming from my car too... twice. Fortunately, both times it was fixed under warranty. Both were a result of a rusty heat shield. I don't remember what the first heat shield was covering, but the second was the exhaust manifold.

As I understand it, the heat shield simply keeps the heat in, against the car, so in case you park on dry leaves or grass a fire doesn't start beneath you. I'm not 100% sure about this specifically with respect to the SC, but in general I thought that was heat shields were for. So in many cases, if it's giving you trouble, you can just take the damn thing off entirely... it may even be better for the car, allowing the heat to dissapate.

As for the ticking sound... I was told by a Lexus technician that it's the stainless steel exhaust cooling off. As you know, heat causes materials to expand, and the stuff attached to the exhaust system (such as the heat shield) will shift slightly as the exhaust pipes contract when they're cooling down, thus causing the ticking sound.

Ben