My sons, 85 240 wagon has a rattling heat shield at the y-pipe. I don't really see what it is shielding it from. Can we just cut it off? Any other easy fixes?

 

the shield is keeping the HOT exhaust manifold from toasting stuff near it.

 

Yeah, I gathered that much, I just didn't see much around the y-pipe area that could get toasted.

 

We had the same problem with our 89 740. I just cut it off to see what potential issues I will have. It seems they all rust and get loose. Mine has 355K on it. So far no issues and there isn't to many things around the pipe. I was considering wrapping exhaust header material around the pipe. I check weekly on the lift and so far no damage.

 

There should be no issues. Even the replacement y-pipes Volvo currently sell do not have the heat shield.