Heat Shield rattle?

**glovej** · 17th May 2011, 23:17

ive got a 53 plate vectra elegance 56000 miles which i bought a month ago. On a long journey to scotland crusing at 80mph i noticed a rattle (like water dripping in a tin can, but metal). it would only happen above 70mph, so i took it back and the garage said it was the heat sheild. They refitted it and the problem seemed to go. the noise dissapeared 4 a while and now again after today getting to 70+ its happening again. i originally thought it was the engine it sounds like its coming from the rear middle of the engine bay and you hear it from behind the centre console area while driving?????

its still under warranty but the dealer didnt inform the repair garage about the noise the first time i had to phone the garage to ensure they knew and they said they didnt look at the engine as they were not told about it (dealer said "noise while driving at motorway speeds") but noticed the heat shield was not fitted correctly and assured me it would of been that making the noise. do you think i should take it back and ask for my money back, this isnt the only fault theres a few but this is the worst. or do i get it looked at again

any guidence or help would be great thanks

**nikroc** · 18th May 2011, 05:38

My vec had a rattling heatshield that used to anoy me. Bolts had sheared and due to position/access i couldnt replace...used mastic to stick it back in place!!..quick n easy fix.

If this is your worst problem,id be happy.

**chrisvectra** · 18th May 2011, 07:48

Originally Posted by nikroc

My vec had a rattling heatshield that used to anoy me. Bolts had sheared and due to position/access i couldnt replace...used mastic to stick it back in place!!..quick n easy fix.

If this is your worst problem,id be happy.

me too

**Signum-Steve** · 18th May 2011, 09:25

My heat shield was the same it had rusted through where the bolts n washers held it on. I just unscrewed the bolts and fitted back on with larger penny type washers 100% fix. Easy to do.

**glovej** · 18th May 2011, 09:45

Did yours only happen at high speeds?

**leonvectrac** · 18th May 2011, 10:20

My bolts rusted threw the shield i just removed mine lol

**Signum-Steve** · 18th May 2011, 10:28

Originally Posted by glovej

Did yours only happen at high speeds?

It started off that way then got worse.

**si_hoss** · 18th May 2011, 10:57

Are we talking about the heat shield under the car essentially under the handbrake area?? Mine had fallen away, it had fallen through the securing bolts and it was only the exhaust stopping it falling off the car! My local tyre place screwed it back up for free using penny washers, however out of say 8 bolts at least 4 snapped, so it's now only held on by half! Mastic sounds like a good cure if it happens again, try that.

**glovej** · 18th May 2011, 16:16

<a href="http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/...t=SAM_0452.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/...1/SAM_0452.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

i went underneath the sheild was fine and i noticed this and it seems to be where the sound could come from but i dont know what its called?

**tony_b** · 27th May 2011, 10:02

Mastic! Great idea! Mines been bugging me for a while now as its only being held up by the exhaust after the shield rusted through near the bolts.

Me's a gonna try the mastic fix tomorrow