Not sure if the system on mine is different to petrol models .On the rear box, there's what appears to be a heat shield ( least that's what one MOT tester called it ,when he decided to issue advisory on it being corroded). Box appears sound( of rusty appearance, but no sound of blowing, or any suspect areas), but this "heat shield" is hanging loose.

Any of the blokes in know ( Tech1e etc) comment on problems if this is removed .Or is it time to get new back box ?

It will just be corroded around the clips that hold it up. depending how good you are with your hands, just try and take the old clips off and make some new ones abit bigger to hold it up.

Or do what everybody els does and stick some self tapper screws in it, just mind the spare wheel in the boot :p

I got an advisory last year for delaminating backbox - in typical fashion I did F-all until this year.

Loosened off the mounts, wrapped some galv sheet steel around, secured using steel bands, gaps filled with gun gum. The tester was very impressed, asked if it was a professional rebuild!

think the steel cost a fiver in the end - check for a metal fabricator near you!

hth

PL

Used this method just after the war when steel was in short supply only we used asbestos string.

My info was from a previous MOT man .And ,it seems that at times, they're a bit short on facts, especially when it comes to making uo a good advisory. ( This one was , he'd decided that my front discs were worn, despite me telling him I'd micked them at 50% wear) .Fearing the worst, I took Furby to a local tyre/exhaust place ,to find a bloke who knew VAG exhausts. It's simply the outer skin coming off ,he quoted, system is origonal anf in not too bad a condition. All we need to do is to remove the bit flapping around and all is well . All VAG exhausts have two skins, makes them a lot quieter. I did see the system from underneath - sound as the day it left Skoda ( well with a bit of rust from eight years of motoring, but better than anything the Nips can provide) .