# 2001 VW Jetta Exhaust Rattle

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-vw-jetta-exhaust-rattle/4391>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** jetta, exhaustsystems, volkswagen\
**Created:** [September 10, 2007, 12:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-vw-jetta-exhaust-rattle/4391 "2007-09-10T12:46:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![swissdietcoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@swissdietcoke](https://community.cartalk.com/u/swissdietcoke)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2007, 12:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-vw-jetta-exhaust-rattle/4391/1 "2007-09-10T12:46:11Z")

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Hey guys…  
  
  
  
 Recently, my 2001 Jetta with 155k miles starting exhibiting a horrible exhaust rattle at random RPMs. I took it to a small town repair shop, which quoted me $800 for a new catalytic converter and installation.  
  
  
  
 My heart sank, and I now drive a 2001 Jetta with a horrible rattle. Here’s my question…Is he right? Is there no way to get rid of this rattle except for a new catalytic converter? If you go to eBay, or a parts shop, you can find ‘universal’ cats for under $200…whats the deal?

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2007, 1:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-vw-jetta-exhaust-rattle/4391/2 "2007-09-10T13:13:28Z")

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Get another opinion. There are many possible causes for an exhaust rattle. If, in fact, you need a new cat, avoid anything with the word “universal” in it. That just means it won’t fit ANYTHING.

If you need a cat, you need one that FITS. I just had the cat replaced on my car, and the part alone was a little less than $400. Where’s the other $400 coming from? There’s not that much labor involved.

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**Author:** ![swissdietcoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@swissdietcoke](https://community.cartalk.com/u/swissdietcoke)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2007, 1:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-vw-jetta-exhaust-rattle/4391/3 "2007-09-10T13:42:58Z")

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I will definitely get a second opinion…The guy gave me a free estimate, and quoted the part from his ‘distributor’ at around $700, and an additional $30 for some gaskets or whatnot. My quote sheet says only $50 in labor, which i thought was reasonable. The cat problem made sense to me, because it rattles when its cold too, something no other exhaust rattle i’ve had has done before.