Is it okay to remove the muffler heatshield?

[borealtransition]

This is a follow up to the "Clanking sound on slow acceleration" thread. Thanks again for everyone's input.

I took my van to my local Mitsubishi dealer, who are actually pretty helpful, and we figured out that the rattling sound was something to do with the muffler.

I then took it to a local muffler shop and they found that the rattling/clanking sound was due to the heatshield coming loose on the muffler. They suggested removing the heatshield as there was already an extra heatshield above the muffler. I was quite reluctant to let them, as it does seem that everything the Japanese do is for a specific reason and the extra heatshield may be necessary. They said they have removed heatshields on plenty of imports and domestics with no problems. I expressed uncertainty all the way through it but they just did it anyway. They didn't charge me for it but I can't help but feel that they wanted to indemnify themselves by not providing a receipt or paper trail in case something did go wrong.

So can anyone ease my concern and confirm that removing the heatshield attached to the muffler will not cause a problem in the future?

Thanks.

[coaxial]

I wouldn't worry too much about removing it, especially since diesel's exhaust is much cooler than that of a gas engine, and there is another shield, it should be relatively safe.

[EricN]

Ditched mine.

[Schwa]

My replacement muffler doesn't have an attached heat shield so it shouldn't be any problem.

[borealtransition]

Okay thanks. That seems to be the consensus.