Despite heat being one of the main catalysts for the inner workings of a combustion engine, it can also be one of the main reasons why one could go bad. Excessive heat, if present can slowly but surely shorten the lifespan of vehicle components. If not that, it can make components work less efficiently and decrease their performance. Excessive heat be it exerted from the engine or as a result of a hot day, can affect many components including the battery, cooling system, tires, fluids, and exhaust system.
When it comes to the exhaust system, excessive heat may not affect its performance right away, but if subjected to it over a long period of time it can be detrimental. The exhaust piping can become more vulnerable to the change of temperatures. The piping can also become more prone to corrosion as the heat can wear off the protective coating on the surface of the metal. This is where you should look into getting an exhaust shield.
Benefits of Heat Shields
Safety
As you already know high temperatures can also be dangerous not only for the components in your vehicle but for you too. By installing a heat shield for exhaust you can ensure that far less heat is able to get in contact with exhaust components. This way a properly installed car exhaust pipe heat shield is able to keep surrounding parts and components safe thus keeping your vehicle hazard-free. At least when it comes to heat-related issues.
Performance
As mentioned above, excessive heat affects performance but not if you have a barrier to keep it off the exhaust. A heat shield is the best barrier for this since its insulative properties can help keep heat from getting in contact and thus keep exhaust components working at their best. Exhaust shield wrap can also keep exhaust tubes from cooling down as it is able to retain the source of heat. Don't get me wrong heat is needed when it comes to the exhaust system but not too much of it.
Longevity
Since heat can't get to exhaust components it can't reduce their lifespan. With a heat shield not only do you retain the lifespan of parts you also help prolong it since no heat comes in contact with the component.
Cost-Effective
Unlike getting a new part and replacing it for the old one in your vehicle, a heat shield is more affordable yet more effective too. Heat shields are cost-effective solutions that are also easy to install without the need for professional help.
How to Install a Heat Shield
1. Installing a car exhaust pipe heat shield requires you to have a dust mask, gloves, a spray bottle or bucket, safety glasses, and a utility knife or scissors. Now, not every type of heat shield for exhaust is going to require this but you should start by soaking the wrap.
2. This is done to make the installation process a lot easier but also to make for a better fit. This way you can reduce the number of fibres too. If you don't want to soak the shield wrap you can spray it with water instead, don't worry the wrap will not shrink.
3. Once the wrap is soaked, it's time to start applying it to the exhaust pipe. To do so you need to ensure that you have enough heat shield material. If you do then start by making an initial wrap and secure that wrap by using either a hose clamp or a stainless steel tie. This will ensure that the wrap stays in place.
4. After securing the wrap in place, continue by wrapping the heat shield around with 50% overlap. Some would recommend a ¼ overlap on each pass but you want to be sure that the material will provide the best insulation possible and ¼ overlap is not going to provide that.
5. Continue with a tight 50% overlap on each pass until you get to the end of a tube. When you encounter a split continue wrapping with the same overlapping approach around the two pipes and make sure you retain a tight fit. If you can wrap these pipes separately then do so but if it's too tight keep going with the 50% overlap on both.
6. Once you come to the end of a pipe fold over the wrap with a ¾ overlap and then tuck it underneath itself. When you've done that make sure to secure the wrap just like you did at the beginning by using a hose clamp or a stainless steel tie.
7. When you're done with the installation and have brought the exhaust system in its place, there may occur some smoking. This is quite normal as the heat evaporates the moisture from the wrap. If that doesn't happen then the exhaust system or engine is not working properly. That is unless you've left the wrap to dry off on its own before installing the exhaust system back into your vehicle.