Heat shield above back cat

[P6GTD]

Suddenly today a rattle when I close the boot lid.
Examination reveals the “tin tray” heat shield above the cat has come loose and is sitting on top of the cat box.
Only done 36,000 miles so not pleased.
A known problem?
Any diy cures?
I’m reluctant to go to the dealer and test out my “All In” warranty in case they start to prevaricate.

[Adam T7]

On a previous car the heat shield over the Exhaust mid section / Cat started rattling, turned out one of the bracket rivets had corroded through. Quick fix that lasted for about 9 months until I bought a new Heat Shield was a small nut and bolt to hold the shield to the bracket. New Heat shield actually only cost a few quid and was a 10 minute job to replace as access was really easy - not sure on a GTI.

[madstaff]

It'll be where the steel nut/washer contacts the heat shield and rotted through due to dissimilar metal corrosion.

See it all the time, cut some big washers out of some thin gauge steel sheet for a repair.

[ajmoir36]

I had to fix my sisters GTI for the same issue. I bought some of these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363729225833 you might be able to buy them from VW cheaper no idea. I pulled the old one off that had rusted and popped it on the stud sticking out of the body and pushed it up using pointy pliers. No more rattle.



This image you can see them near the valance and at the back. I had to do two at the back and managed to do it without jacking it either just!

[Finglonga]

Those clips rust quicker than a Ford Escort Mk3 so rust proof them when putting them on.

[SRGTD]

Those clips rust quicker than a Ford Escort Mk3 so rust proof them when putting them on.

Off topic (apologies! ) but on the subject of rusty mk3 Ford Escorts, I bought a mk3 Escort XR3 brand new in 1982. I saw it around 10 years later, long after I’d sold it and it looked remarkably rust free, with no rust in the usual places (e.g. around the wheel arches, along the sills, the bottom of the doors, front wings).

Its generally very good condition and resistance to corrosion was probably down to the copious amount of Waxoyl applied to the underbody and enclosed bodywork sections from new by yours truly, rather than Ford’s 1980’s token gesture towards corrosion protection to keep the tin worm at bay….

[P6GTD]

Back on topic……

I have had various garage opinions, all of whom start with “they all fall down or fall off eventually”.
From there opinions diverge to :

Just ignore it
Take it off, not needed
Get it re-fixed

I suspect my VW “all-in” warranty will exclude the cost of repair/replacement as it will be defined as wear and tear.

Any opinions on any of the above? Must be a common thing surely?

[Adam T7]

Go for number 3, car manufacturers don’t fit parts if they could avoid and save a few quid.

[karlos]

Resurrecting this thread to confirm that a loose heat shield isn't covered under the All-In warranty as I found out yesterday. For the pennies it would cost them for the clips and the two minutes it would take to fit them you'd think they'd do it out of courtesy especially as it's a common problem.

Anyway, I've ordered some clips for £3 from ebay.