I've Got A Rattle

[chrissa1]

My "Y" reg Subaru Impreza Estate has developed a rattle at the front. I took it to my local Hi Q garage, as they had fitted a new exhaust on it last year. They put it on the ramp and the guy said, "oh it's at the front of the exhaust".

The heat shield which is fitted for hotter climes than our rusts in time and it needs to come off to stop the rattle.

He said it would cost about £20 as it had to be "heat" removed. My son queried the "heat" element.

Is this right and is the cost about right. Thanks.

[Answerprancer]

I wouldnt be too bothered, £20 is nothing for a bit of maintenance. I'd be happy to pay someone £20 to grub about under my car to sort out a rattle.

[gingejbee]

Agree. Many places would charge more than this just to find the problem and then charge again to put it right. £20 seems a bargain.

[TWR]

He said it would cost about £20 as it had to be "heat" removed. My son queried the "heat" element.

The heat shield is held in place by bolts, they have become seized & need Oxy/ Acetylene burning torch (Heat) to burn the bolts or to undo the bolts to remove, £20 is near enough price wise.

[chrissa1]

Thanks Answerprancer but I have to watch every penny.

[chrissa1]

Thank you TWR. I was just checking. Cheers.

[Answerprancer]

I know the feeling ;-) That's why I did all the work myself to get my beastie through its MOT.

[Hopkirk]

I used to get a rattle from an exhaust heat shield.

I squeezed under the car myself, as far as I could, and tweaked the heat shield until it stopped rattling. They are fairly thin and flexible, so a bit of bending might do the trick.

[chrissa1]

Ooh right Hopkirk, thanks. One job for my son this weekend!!

[Toureman]

Do not forget to have a new one fitted, that part of the exhaust gets very hot and could melt nearby rubber pipes or wiring!

[chrissa1]

Thanks Toureman.