Bumping this thread to provide my experience with the same issue.
My 2016 R with 16k on it had a sagging hoodliner. The part that was sagging was the rear part that would be "above" the turbo. The dealership replaced it under warranty. Tech noted that the hoodliner "shrunk"
I wonder if that's why VW stopped putting it on the late 17's and pretty much all of the 18's.At my shop we have run into this a bunch with older cars. Thermal cycling seems to shrink the hood pad. We often just let the customer know that it could become a fire hazard (some of them are so bad they are laying on the engine or turbo when the hood is closed), and the best option is to simply remove it. Some choose to order a new one and have us install it.
It doesn't protect the hood paint from the heat for those of you worrying about it.
I wonder if that's why VW stopped putting it on the late 17's and pretty much all of the 18's.
Wondering if a turbo blanket would mitigate this?
At my shop we have run into this a bunch with older cars. Thermal cycling seems to shrink the hood pad. We often just let the customer know that it could become a fire hazard (some of them are so bad they are laying on the engine or turbo when the hood is closed), and the best option is to simply remove it. Some choose to order a new one and have us install it.
It doesn't protect the hood paint from the heat for those of you worrying about it.
I removed mine for more noises in cabin.
Is there any downside to removing it? I'd also like more noise but don't want to cause stupid questions from dealership.
How is this shrunk?
Would this not be more like "Sagging"?
If shrinking I would think liner would be tight.[/QUOTE
It shrinks and the tabs look like they're ready to fall out of their slots. I see what the OP means. I just put it on my 3-year service check list.