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Cabin rattle on cold starts after Unitronic DP + MF catback install

itsintrinzik

New member
Recently installed a Unitronic downpipe and Magnaflow cat-back on my GTI. It's an amazing improvement, except for one small thing. During the cold start cycle (holding at 1200 rpms for one min), I am noticing a new rattle that sounds like it is emanating from behind the dash/center console area. The rattle sounds like it's a piece of plastic resonating with the vibration from the new exhaust. It's an intermittent rattle, with no particular pattern. Once the revs drop down to idle, the rattle goes away. Nothing is heard under load, cruising, or any other time beside that initial minute on cold start. Potential causes I've eliminated:

- Loose battery cover (secured)
- Soundaktor plug (secured)
- E-brake button (not vibrating)
- Fuel line rattle (although I haven't secured the fuel lines, I can hear this as a separate rattle only after the car is at operating temp)

Any idea where/how to hunt this gremlin down? I'm hoping I don't have to dive into The Black Lodge behind my dash or anything.
 

lilonespaz

Drag Race Newbie
maybe check this thing.
thats plastic and bolted down.. maybe its not tightened down all the way but i would assume you would hear more throughout the driving process



My car has lots of rattles all be it annoying at times ive grown to live with them... its a never ending cycle of hunting for them
 

snobrdrdan

former GTI owner
A stiffer downpipe & loud exhaust is going to introduce all sorts of rattles/vibrations/noises, unfortunately
 
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