09 Yaris Exhaust Manifold Heat shield

[SycoYaris]

Hey folks, new to the forums. I've worked in a shop for 8 years as a service writer and night time shop foreman with the techs. So am not completely new. But I have since left the industry and the area I used to work. So i don't have all my tech friends to ask stuff to. Anyways to the question at head.

I've owned my 09 Yaris Base Model, Manual (5-speed of course) for 15 years. 279,000 km on it. The engine area started to have a noise. I just checked today the Exhaust Manifold heat shield, both bottom bolts have broken. So now the heat shield just makes noise. Do mostly highway driving. Of course you hear the noise as it vibrates away. Anyways Just removed it off the manifold to take a closer look. Question is, is this safe to drive with the heat shield removed, I see the PCM is against the firewall 8 or so inches away from the manifold. Will this affect the PCM from heating up, or A/C lines that are above the manifold? I can take some pictures if this is needed.

The Parts guy at the local toyota shop claims this will only prevent approx 1-2 degree rise of temp in the engine compartment. How accurate is this. This is my only means of transportation. I'm canadian so life is extremely expensive up here and repacing parts isn't the easiest.

Thank you all in advance,

Syco

[ex-x-fire]

When mine came loose I just clamped it with a long hose clamp.