Rattle under load

[Smileybug]

So I'm thinking my cat might be on its way out but I'm not sure. No CEL. Fuel economy doesn't seem to have suffered.

Started hearing a metal rattle noise under load about 2 1/2 weeks ago. I'm at 92k almost on my 2.0. Of course, since its a '99 its out of the warranty period. But no decrease in performance at all and gas mileage is still good. Very noticeable in low gears when I accelerate from a stop (mostly 1st-3rd). Also thinking maybe a heat shield since there are no other problems? Haven't had a chance to get the car in the air to look at it yet.

So any thoughts? Cat or heat shield? Something else?

[fohveh]

Sounds like the heat sheild. The screws come loose over time/or rot off the sheild, especially the second and last one from the front end. If it was the cat it would rattle almost constantly from my experience.

[70autostick]

I bet its a few heat shield retainers missing,causing it to wiggle around...Ive got the same issue,even in neutral at about 3k...Id crawl ander there to take a peak,i think the retainers are 50 cents a piece...

[Smileybug]

I'd certainly be happy if it was the heat shield! Any more votes?

It does seem strange that its only under load. When my fiance had a lose heat shield on his Honda, it was a pretty constand sound.

[wep300]

My '99 rattles intermittently at idle, and consistently at load. Took it to the dealer to inquire about the 10yr warranty that VW extended to the CAT due to loose internal welds that hold the catalyst in place. They said it was the CAT, but that I'd missed the warranty by about a month.

My heat shield is still good (tap on it with a rubber mallet whith the car off--if you can't feel it rattle, it's not the heat shield IMO)

I'm cutting out the old CAT this weekend and welding in a universal. A muffler shop can do that for about $200, but I have a MIG welder that's so much fun to use....

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by Smileybug

Any more votes?

I vote you reduce the load by parking your car, opening the trunk, removing the trunk cover shelf (aka Tonneau Cover) and ship it to me in the mail so people can stop seeing my stuff in my trunk.

While you're at it, you can further reduce your load by removing your headlight's lenses (if they're clear) and sending them to me in the mail with the trunk cover!

Other than that, nothing much more to add here other than some (dry) comedy

Good luck fixing the problem! Hope its what the others voted for!