# 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee - does it really need heat shield? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** grand-cherokee, jeep\ **Created:** [October 29, 2020, 6:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-jeep-grand-cherokee-does-it-really-need-heat-shield/171714 "2020-10-29T18:50:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ROBERTDELINE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/858c86/32.png) [@ROBERTDELINE](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ROBERTDELINE)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 6:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-jeep-grand-cherokee-does-it-really-need-heat-shield/171714/1 "2020-10-29T18:50:40Z")
Gas tank heat shield rusting away, dealer says piece obsolete here in Canada, do I really need to replace it or can I run without one, if I need it any ideas where to locate one, can’t seem to obtain here in Canada ---
**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2020, 10:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-jeep-grand-cherokee-does-it-really-need-heat-shield/171714/2 "2020-10-30T22:08:37Z")
My take is that it wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t necessary. You might try a junkyard or if that doesn’t pan out an independent shop might be able to fabricate something. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2020, 2:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-jeep-grand-cherokee-does-it-really-need-heat-shield/171714/3 "2020-10-31T14:02:43Z")
19 year old vehicle parts availability doesn’t get any better in the USA. A used part from a dry area or find someone to make you one. Keeping exhaust heat from a cannister holding flammable liquid is a very good idea. That is why Jeep put one there. ---
**Author:** ![COROLLAGUY1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/corollaguy1/32/7575_2.png) [@COROLLAGUY1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/COROLLAGUY1)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2020, 2:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-jeep-grand-cherokee-does-it-really-need-heat-shield/171714/4 "2020-10-31T14:13:05Z")
Where in Canada? I live in Montreal and I have no difficulty finding parts for older vehicule.I use a part locator finder from about 100 junkyards in Quebec and Canada. [https://autorecyclers.ca/parts-locator/](https://autorecyclers.ca/parts-locator/) ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2020, 2:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-jeep-grand-cherokee-does-it-really-need-heat-shield/171714/5 "2020-10-31T14:25:03Z")
> [@Mustangman](#): > > Keeping exhaust heat from a cannister holding flammable liquid is a very good idea. That is why Jeep put one there. +1 The corporate beancounters would not authorize the expenditure of even a few cents on something that wasn’t necessary. If the mfr thought that it was a good idea to shield the gas tank from exhaust heat (a truly radical idea… 😉), then I think that the OP should also consider that piece of sheet metal to be important. If comparable part isn’t available from a junk yard, then I think that the OP should try to have one fabricated by a sheet metal shop. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2020, 3:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-jeep-grand-cherokee-does-it-really-need-heat-shield/171714/6 "2020-10-31T15:56:31Z")
It’s not a heat shield. It’s a skid plate. > **[1999-04 Jeep Grand Cherokee Fuel Tank Skid Plate DIY Solutions BAS01925](https://www.1aauto.com/1999-04-jeep-grand-cherokee-fuel-tank-skid-plate/i/1abmx00514?f=1448302&y=2001&utm_campaign=gb_csv_br&utm_content=BMX&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_8uwkJjf7AIVS73ACh1U7ADSEAQYASABEgK-hPD_BwE)** If you’re not going to be doing rock crawling with your jeep, it’s not required. Tester ---
**Author:** ![ROBERTDELINE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/858c86/32.png) [@ROBERTDELINE](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ROBERTDELINE)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2020, 4:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-jeep-grand-cherokee-does-it-really-need-heat-shield/171714/7 "2020-10-31T16:37:50Z")
Thanks for reply. It is the heat shield I need, not skid plate, part #55136160AE. ---
**Author:** ![ROBERTDELINE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/858c86/32.png) [@ROBERTDELINE](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ROBERTDELINE)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2020, 4:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-jeep-grand-cherokee-does-it-really-need-heat-shield/171714/8 "2020-10-31T16:40:22Z")
Thanks for link to auto recyclers, I will give them a try. I live in Northern Ontario so hopefully they can help ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2020, 6:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-jeep-grand-cherokee-does-it-really-need-heat-shield/171714/9 "2020-10-31T18:04:09Z")
You might try a muffler bender shop, they may have a generic version they can weld on. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2020, 6:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-jeep-grand-cherokee-does-it-really-need-heat-shield/171714/10 "2020-10-31T18:49:45Z")
> **[Car Talk: Don't exhaust yourself replacing heat shields](https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Car-Talk-Don-t-exhaust-yourself-replacing-heat-1182441.php)** > > (1) Why does Honda (or any manufacturer) install the dang things if all they do is rattle and fall off? (2) After the heat shield had been gone for nearly a year, my exhaust manifold cracked. The bottom shields are there so that if you park on tall,... Tester ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2020, 7:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-jeep-grand-cherokee-does-it-really-need-heat-shield/171714/11 "2020-10-31T19:01:37Z")
You will need that heat shield when towing a 7,000 trailer up a grade. In Canada during the winter it will only collect snow and ice, that is why it rusted off. ---
**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2020, 8:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-jeep-grand-cherokee-does-it-really-need-heat-shield/171714/12 "2020-10-31T20:35:03Z")
> [@ROBERTDELINE](#): > > 55136160AE Is this it? [https://www.ebay.com/i/402284537131?rt=nc&\_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D225074%26meid%3D0e83e429be4f46f0a298b2c141cb9ca8%26pid%3D100677%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D30%26mehot%3Dnone%26sd%3D353227754539%26itm%3D402284537131%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2386202%26algv%3DDefaultOrganic%26brand%3DMopar](https://www.ebay.com/i/402284537131?rt=nc&_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D225074%26meid%3D0e83e429be4f46f0a298b2c141cb9ca8%26pid%3D100677%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D30%26mehot%3Dnone%26sd%3D353227754539%26itm%3D402284537131%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2386202%26algv%3DDefaultOrganic%26brand%3DMopar) ---
**Author:** ![ROBERTDELINE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/858c86/32.png) [@ROBERTDELINE](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ROBERTDELINE)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2020, 5:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-jeep-grand-cherokee-does-it-really-need-heat-shield/171714/13 "2020-11-01T17:44:28Z")
YES, that is it exactly, thank you for locating, I placed order but was advised seller will not ship to Canada, am trying to figure something out, my daughter has friends in US, hopefully can work it out. Again my thanks for your research. ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2020, 7:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-jeep-grand-cherokee-does-it-really-need-heat-shield/171714/14 "2020-11-02T19:27:48Z")
The hotter a piece of metal gets, the more reactive it gets, that is the faster it rusts. If it rusted off, then it was getting hot and therefore probably needed. If it wasn’t there to take the heat, then your gas tank would have had to take the heat and that would have rusted instead. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2020, 7:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-jeep-grand-cherokee-does-it-really-need-heat-shield/171714/15 "2020-11-02T19:37:32Z")
If heat heat shields were absolutely necessary, they’d made out of stainless steel, and not made out of cheap sheet metal that rusts away. Tester ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2020, 7:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-jeep-grand-cherokee-does-it-really-need-heat-shield/171714/16 "2020-11-02T19:42:54Z")
> [@keith](#): > > The hotter a piece of metal gets, the more reactive it gets, that is the faster it rusts. So there is no hope of finding a used one in Arizona? Tail pipes don’t get hot enough to accelerate corrosion. ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2020, 7:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-jeep-grand-cherokee-does-it-really-need-heat-shield/171714/17 "2020-11-02T19:52:52Z")
Funny how the “professional” mechanics call others amateurs and hacks for suggesting using a wire nut on a low voltage/current wire but those same “professionals” are more than willing to leave off a heat shield designed to prevent a gas tank fire. Proves getting paid to do something doesn’t mean you’re actually a professional… The shield is there as a hazard mitigation. Just like you may never need that airbag you’re riding around with, if the need arises you’ll be glad it’s there. Kudos to the OP for not believing some “mechanics” know more than the people that designed and built the car… ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2020, 8:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-jeep-grand-cherokee-does-it-really-need-heat-shield/171714/18 "2020-11-02T20:09:35Z")
> [@Nevada\_545](#): > > Tail pipes don’t get hot enough to accelerate corrosio Yes they do. The they are usually aluminized or stainless steel, but have you ever seen a tailpipe last the life of a vehicle? ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2020, 8:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-jeep-grand-cherokee-does-it-really-need-heat-shield/171714/19 "2020-11-02T20:16:32Z")
My 03 trailblazer had the original exhaust system until it was totaled in 2020, and it was in fine shape, so I assume it would have lasted longer, but is 17 years and 200k miles close enough? ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2020, 8:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-jeep-grand-cherokee-does-it-really-need-heat-shield/171714/20 "2020-11-02T20:17:52Z")
“Life of the vehicle” can be subjective, my 1973 Plymouth has the original tailpipes and the surrounding metal surfaces have not rusted away from the heat. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-jeep-grand-cherokee-does-it-really-need-heat-shield/171714.md?page=2)