[Herbie3Rivers]

Just got a letter from VWoA. VW's going to extend the warranty on all 1999-2001 2.0 Golfs, Jettas, and New Beetles. and 1999-2000 GTIs. For 10 years or 120,000 miles. Here's a jist of what it says. "Volkswagen has determined that under certain conditions, production deficiencies affecting the catalytic converter on your vehicle could make it susceptible to damage. If this happens, you may hear a readily recognizable rattling noise coming from under your vehicle in the area of the converter and the MIL light on the instrument cluster may illuminate. In some locales, an illuminated malfunction indicator light could cause your vehicle to fail a smog check program, and your vehicle registration application could be denied. Additionally, a malfunctiong catalytic converter may adversley affect teh driveability of your vehicle." VW will diagnose and replace the catalytic converter if necessary without charge as long as the vehicle remains within the time and mileage limits of the warranty extension. It only covers diagnosis and replacement of the catalytic converter only. VW will reimburse if you've had to replace your converter too. It's funny cause I've got the same problem with Elwood and I thought it was the mid muffler, so I guess Elwood's going to get a new cat and his Magnaflow exhaust. Hope this helps gang.

 

[boriquais]

hmmm

i bought my car used does this apply to me too? i know my cat is busted it rattles so bad.

 

[SPIRU]

That's cool, since I bought black used I probably won't get a letter so thanks for the info!

 

[Smileybug]

I bought my car used as well...does anyone know if it applies to used cars? I did get the letter in the mail so I would assume it does, but I would like to be positive on that.

 

[Herbie3Rivers]

I'd imagine it would apply to those that bought your car used cause the letter says to put it in the owners manual and to pass it along to the new owner. Just go to your dealer and tell them you want it checked out and mention the letter.

 

[v-dubed]

cats are gay i threw mine in the garbage

 

[Herbie3Rivers]

cats are gay i threw mine in the garbage

I totally agree, but since I live in PA and we have an annual state inspection where they look at the cat, I can't get rid of mine.

 

[beetlejay]

I totally agree, but since I live in PA and we have an annual state inspection where they look at the cat, I can't get rid of mine.

I'm from PA also. You just have to have the "right" person do the inspection or keep it under the 5000 miles a year mileage and get an emmsions exempt sticker. They don't even look at the car they just put an exempt sticker on it and i pay the 15 bucks and I'm down the road!

 

[callisto9]

i bought my car used does this apply to me too? i know my cat is busted it rattles so bad.

mine is used, as well. how do we go about getting this fixed if we have no letter and bought the car used?

 

[Herbie3Rivers]

mine is used, as well. how do we go about getting this fixed if we have no letter and bought the car used?

Read my reply above.

 

[[lot]]

Can someone put a scan of the letter plz?
I want to show it to my delaer here in Canada.
Thanx

 

[callisto9]

Can someone put a scan of the letter plz?
I want to show it to my delaer here in Canada.
Thanx

i was just about to ask that. scan the letter anyone? it would be really helpful. i want to talk to my dealer, too. thanks.

 

[beetlejay]

scans of letter from VOA

Can someone put a scan of the letter plz?
I want to show it to my delaer here in Canada.
Thanx

Here you go. I hope this helps. It also came with a reimbursement claim form if you already paid to have it replaced.

 

[callisto9]

thank you so much!!!

 

[kcfoxie]

Where abouts and when do you hear this rattle?

 

[Herbie3Rivers]

It distinctly comes from underneath the car, right in the middle. To me it sounds like a chain dragging under the car. I picked Elwood up yesterday, and they said the cat was fine, so something else on my exhaust is screwed up. So I'm just gonna puch ahead and put the magnaflow on.

 

[kcfoxie]

THAT SUCKS! But.. you're upgrading, so it's not that bad I suppose

We dislodged one of my buddy's Honda Accord's two mufflers coming back from Memphis. He ran over like a 2 by 4 piece of wood .. it's ratteled ever since (he's going to do a staight pipe this around instead of the Y-pipe).

My rattle is not what you described, and I think it's due to the fact that it only happens when I shift at a lower RPM...and sometimes I hear a rattle when I close my car door.

Post pics of the exchange process -- I would like to know (so I can attempt this on my bug at a later date).

 

[NBman]

I got my catalytic converter warranty letter a few weeks ago. A question for you guys that had catalytic converter problems:

Is the rattling sound consistent? I've been hearing rattling noises under my car for a couple of months now, but it's not consistent. I usually, hear rattling when I accelerate from a complete stop. For example: I drive for 30-40mph, stop at a red light, wait a few minutes at the light, then when I accelerate I hear the noise. After accelerating for a seconds, the rattling sound goes away and everything sounds normal.

In addition, I'm not certain if the sound is coming from the middle of the car (catalytic location) or from the front passenger side wheel. I think it's coming from the front right wheel, but the sound doesn't remain long enough for me to pin point the exact location.

Unlike Herbie3Rivers, I don't hear rattling at low speeds.

FYI, it's a 99 NB and the brakes hasn't been changed yet. On my last oil change, I had the dealer check my pads and I had 30% rear and 50% front. I don't drive the car much, so it only has around 35K and hence the brakes hasn't been replaced.

Any ideas?

 

[Herbie3Rivers]

well, it can't be the brakes. I only have a tad under 37k on Elwood's original brakes, and they're still good. But I'm going to be replacing those soon too.

 

[NBman]

Hey guys, this morning I recorded the "rattling/grinding" sound I keep hearing under my bug during acceleration (from a complete stop as mentioned previously). If you have time, please listen to it and let know if it sounds familiar.

Basically, in a empty lot, I drove 20-35mph, stopped for 2 min (to simulate stopping at a red light), then accelerate again.

You should hear the "rattling" at the beginning of each acceleration, but it goes away soon after. The sound is distinct and you should be able to distinguish it from the normal engine/exhaust. I edited the sound to include four samples.

Sound Sample (25sec):
http://www.renderphase.com/site/temp/nbsoundgrind.mp3

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