its that freaking darn.....

[actionslax]

.... heat shield again!!!!!

this time its the manifold one and its getting worse by the day. unsure as to what to do at the moment. took it to my local vdub specialist and he said he can take it off and cap it or crimp it, can't remember (thats what years of smoking weed does) the term he used, or he said to replace it.. at 150 quid i would rather keep that cash. does anyone else reccommend a fix for this problem?

cheers

slax

[8vgti]

I too have this VERY annoying rattle, which started with the CAT heat shield and is now the manifold shield (more like thick tinfoil!). The CAT is sorted but the other rattle is a right pain to sort....took a hammer to it once and that worked for a bit but a longer term fix would be good. Have also got a knocking noise from the exhaust (centre or rear section??) when I accelerate at about 2.5k revs. Think that the rubbers must be weak as you cannot make it do it when you physically shake the exhaust or it is the 'O' clamp banging on that centre brace type thing before the first box?? Getting it up on a ramp next week. 

[actionslax]

the shield on my cat protector decided to rattle like hell last year  - i ended up taking the thing off completely as i couldn't find a fix for it..

slax

[8vgti]

^^
big jubilee clips sorted mine, although the noise was never as bad as the manifold heat shield rattle. Will let you know if I find a fix!!

[8vgti]

actionslax.....whilst the car was on the ramp having the tyres changed I got the guy to have a  look at where the rattle was coming from. The cat heat shield was still rattling even though it had some big jubilee clips on it and was badly corroded so I got him to just take it off (must remember not to park over any dry grass in the summer!!) and the other rattle was on the manifold heat shield. Apparently(??) they are packed out from the factory and this had all come away so he put some clips on this and for now there is no rattle  Just need to sort banging exhaust out now....

[actionslax]

actionslax.....whilst the car was on the ramp having the tyres changed I got the guy to have a  look at where the rattle was coming from. The cat heat shield was still rattling even though it had some big jubilee clips on it and was badly corroded so I got him to just take it off (must remember not to park over any dry grass in the summer!!) and the other rattle was on the manifold heat shield. Apparently(??) they are packed out from the factory and this had all come away so he put some clips on this and for now there is no rattle  Just need to sort banging exhaust out now....

must remember the "not parking on long dry grass in the summer" myself come to think of it. 

what do you mean by "they are packed out from the factory" and what kind of clips did the guy use? this a job for the garage as you need get it on a ramp or something i can try at home? mine is getting excruciatingly loud and needs sorted asap...

cheers
Slax

[8vgti]

Slax,
The fitter could of been sh*tting me but implied that there is some sort of 'packing' around the manifold and heat shield when they are produced to stop them rattling? Havent had a chance to see exactly what he has done but will have a look over the weekend....I think he has just put some big jubilee clips on it to tighten it up although he did also mention about crimping it. I think it may be a ramp job as it is probably easier to get to from underneath, otherwise you have to almost climb in the engine bay!!! Will have a look and get back to ya

[kuypers]

You guys, I found a really simple fix when mine dropped down for the 5th or 6th time.

There is a type of clip usually used to clip over the edge of thin board to provide a thread to screw into. I bought a packet from halfords for about a quid. (If description is too crap to understand I will upload a piccie!) Used a bottle jack to hold the heat sheild back in place then screwed one onto the stud that the heat sheild is supposed to grip onto (but doesn't once it starts corroding). Then screwed a second one one just to stop the first one coming off.

Did this on all the heat sheilds and now - NO RATTLE!!

Hope this helps,

Darren.

[8vgti]

Slax,

Had a look athe motor over the weekend and they have actually crimped the manifold heat shield (not clamped it). No doubt this is only a temporary fix and eventually will start to rattle again...but for the time being silence!!

[actionslax]

eventually got the motor to the garage in hope to get this fu**in herendous rattle fixed... garage had it ALL day and was looking forward to driving off with only the sweet noise of the engine. before leaving told the guy to crimp it "aye no bother plus we'll fit a jubilee clip plus get the mig out."
 
drove off, smile appears, drove a bit more eh wtf is that! the rattle is still there if a tiny bit quieter!

i really don't want to get a new downpipe.

kuypers can you give more info on this screw you used?

cheers

slax