Engine heat shield question

[Skyguy]

A two part problem has struck on my "05" FDSQ. A month ago I heard creaking and felt a little movement when stepping on the floor section between the head of the bed and the rear closet wall. Upon accessing the engine compartment and looking back at the (drivers side) closet bumpout; I noticed a tear in the foil like insulation. A strip along the left wall and a 10" part of the facing wall is open showing plywood decking. Would it be unwise to run the engine (1+hr) to drive to refuel and or to repair shop to fix floor with the wood exposed to engine compartment running temps?

With the radiator compartment directly below this area will access have to be gained by removing the bed platform? The engine access hole is colocated to broken area (but a back injury has prevented me from trying to look).

[Wayne R]

Skyguy,
I have an 05 40' FDQS and had a similar issue. If it is a FDQS the access to the engine compartment from inside is through a L shaped cover just as you step up on to the rear side of the bed. It is held in place by screws going into the wall below the closet and into the floor. Access to the engine compartment is limited form that area. I reinstalled my heat shield using strips of aluminum I purchased at Lowes and attached them to the underside of the floor with wood screws. As for the creaking sound the structure below the floor broke apart just before the little night stand on the back wall of mine. If you remove the drawer below the closet you should be able to get in there to repair it. I would not hesitate to take in for service with the heat shield laying on the valve cover IMHO. Mine was laying on the engine valve cover for sometime before I found it.

[Skyguy]

Thanks Wayne. In another5 years I'll learn which order the The S & Q go in. I have the king size bed so there is no night stand, but Ill try the drawer under the closet. I have accessed the engine compartment befor and your right it is tough.