Hot air deflector bolted to exhaust manifold....safe to remove?

[Callum_K]

Have finally tracked down the annoying rattle above 3k rpm to a metal box shaped thingy bolted to the left hand side of the exhaust manifold. Looking on a parts finder it lists it has a hot air deflector?! Is it fine just to pull it off? Going go have to take the inlet mani  off to get to it too, PITA!

[itavaltalainen]

why don't you just bolt it down again? 

vw probably put it there for a reason - if there wasn't one vw's bean counters wouldn't have allowed the engineers to put it there.

[Wayne]

Better to refix it tbh, it is fitted for a reason.

[Callum_K]

All the bolts I can get access too without taking the inlet manifold off are tight as can be...makes no difference, 

Ah well will try taking it off and refixing with some rubber washers to dampen any vibrations.

[Len]

Rubber on the exhaust manifold??? 

I do think they might melt!

[spudboy6]

I took mine out ages ago and never had a problem just block the relevant pipes up

[Ess_Three]

Don't take it off...or you will cook the TPS  Idle switch wiring in double quick time and you will end up with running problems at some point.
Part of it's purpose is to give some protection to the wiring.

[itavaltalainen]

Drove down M5 S this afternoon (between Stoke and B'ham) - saw a big cloud of black smoke... Then saw the reason - mk4 Golf on M6 N hard shoulder, flames shooting out from bonnet!

Rubber washers not good idea, neither is removing h/shield. Use some lock and penny washers where it's rusted through.

[Callum_K]

Thanks for the advice guys, I will hopefully get it sorted over the weekend so I can enjoy the sound of my engine rather than an awful rattle!