# 1998 VW Jetta **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** jetta, volkswagen\ **Created:** [September 19, 2009, 4:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-vw-jetta/36824 "2009-09-19T04:22:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![redbull\_kidd1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c89c15/32.png) [@redbull\_kidd1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/redbull_kidd1)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 4:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-vw-jetta/36824/1 "2009-09-19T04:22:15Z")
Hello all, I have 98 VW Jetta 2.0. Yesterday I noticed for the first time a loud rattling sound coming from under the car. I first thought it was perhaps the tailpipe or the muffler, but neither of them appear to be loose. My question is: Is this sound perhaps coming from the catalytic converter? I don’t even know if catalytic converters “go bad”; that is do they wear out need replacement every so often? Any suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks! D in AZ ---
**Author:** ![mark9207](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71c47a/32.png) [@mark9207](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mark9207)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 6:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-vw-jetta/36824/2 "2009-09-19T06:53:24Z")
It is possible for a catalytic converter to go bad and start rattling, but it doesn’t happen very often. The most likely cause of your noise is a loose heat shield. A strap clamp or a little bit of welding will solve the problem for around $20 at most good repair shops. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 10:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-vw-jetta/36824/3 "2009-09-19T10:42:21Z")
Or maybe just remove it, depending on which shield it is.