Hanging thing from underside

[KateCharlie]

Hello , my neighbour pointed this out to me today , in crawling underneath it is a metal thing attached hanging loose. Before I go to a dealer, any ideas?

 

[Corradobrit]

Looks like heat shield. Could be from parking heater? Have you bottomed out recently? Looks like it hit something and was ripped away from it mounting points.

 

[Perfectos]

It is a heat shield,
damage probably caused from driving through water.
the heat shied is made from Aluminium, it is easy to bend back into position.
Depending on exactly where this is located, You may want to check that the wiring that runs close to the heat shield has not been damaged and is clipped in to the retaining clips. The heat shield can damage wiring when it’s dislodged.

 

[KateCharlie]

Thank you so much, really helpful

 

[Perfectos]

Thank you so much, really helpful

Here is an indication of where the heat shield are under the van and what to look for

 

[Corradobrit]

damage probably caused from driving through water.

Good call. I remember losing a plastic undertray on an Audi going though deeper water than I anticipated, at speed. The metal is very thin and easily deforms.