Is it the heatshield or that catalytic converter?

[Len]

Can try wacking it gently! See if it rattles. But not all CAT's react to that!

[monkeyalan]

Can try wacking it gently! See if it rattles. But not all CAT's react to that!

we don't condone animal cruelty round here Len. 

[llol_slim]

Can try wacking it gently! See if it rattles. But not all CAT's react to that!

ok, i could try that, i'd have to be able to get access under the car though, that might be tricky. I dont have a drive or anywhere to get under it.
Would it smell real bad if the cat is nackard? I have eggy/sulphury smell in my head.. have i made that up?
thanks loads for all the help you have no idea how much i appreciate it  

[Len]

I hate CATS! All versions!

I dont think the egg/sulphur smell has any bearing - I think thats the cheaper ones as I smelt that from new cars.
Maybe there are different types, some have precious metals others ceramics. Dunno.

[patch900]

I had the same rattle on my Mk3 and thought it was the exhaust going.

The garage where I had it serviced said it happens a lot and they simply took it off - they said it was the shielding "around the exhaust" Sorry not to be more help  

[GolfMad]

would be really interested to know the result you get on this.

having had my 'perfect' mk3 gti written off a month or so ago I got myself a replacement mk3 gti with said problem - see my response to darkangel's post-

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=43636.0

i have had six garages tell me its not the exhaust but when i cover the tailpies with a rag the car continues to run but can i hell find a hole or where its blowing. having saif that 2 garages have suggested what monkeyallan has said, and that the rubber boot at bottom of sterring column has perished so im hearing lot of noise, gettin that replaced this week so will keep you posted.   Andy

[EvilScotsman]

I have exactly the same thing, when im inside wi the door and window shut. I hear it when accelerating but not when revving it from idle while sitting still! The previous owner said the exhaust was blowing but its not audible from the engine bay which is weird.

If its not induction noise, or a heatshield, it may be blowing like my nieces car - it had a spring like flexible joint wi mesh tubing inside and was blowing inside this spring so it was a bugger to find. Will check the haynes to see if we have one of those but suspect the heatshields myself OR a missing trim from firewall as monkeyalan said. Gonna check today properly.

[llol_slim]

thank you all very much for the replies.
I will let you know on friday the result, as the car is in the garage ... the rattle being the worst of the cars trouble..
To go off on a tangent if i may :
drove the car 90 miles, half a mile from home it broke down (terrential rain, midnight) so left it in a layby overnight, went back next afternoon.
Not being any god with cars, I rang my mechanic who very nicely talked through some diagnostics to get it started ie the distributer, and leads.
Figured out it was the rotary arm, as it was nackard and a common problem, replaced it, still didnt start, power going through the leads so he picked it up.
This afternoon he rang me back it was a problm with the HT leads, fixed but theres more ...
To the tune of £200 on top :-S cantremember exactly what, but things like the brake hoses are rusty, things are seizing etc.
On top of that (!!) the cam belt hasnt been changed (or no record of it) so that needs doing as well.
so looking at around £400!!
Not such a good start, but it will be lovely come friday when I pick it up knowing I've got a really tidy and safe mk3
I will then post some piccies in the sticky
Thanks for reading

[Rideandy]

if it is the cat try http://www.eurocarparts.com/ they did a cat for my old mk3 8v for around £65 delivered.
 
 
Dealers told me it would be £600 +  for new and fitted

[llol_slim]

if it is the cat try http://www.eurocarparts.com/ they did a cat for my old mk3 8v for around £65 delivered.
 
 
Dealers told me it would be £600 +  for new and fitted

hey thanks for that. However, my golf is a J reg, which means I don't need a cat :)Last year that doesnt require one for the MOT, decat all the way
Getting it back tomorrow, can't wait to actually be able to drive it! SO excited!!