Question re exhaust

sb44

I could hear a rattling noise (not an alarming one but it was bugging me) from the passenger side of the car and was told it sounded like the rubbers holding the exhaust needed replacing. That was without anyone looking under the car.

Took it to my local tyre/exhaust centre who are quite helpful and don't fleece you.

The mechanic got the car on the ramp and said the middle part of the exhaust was cracked or split (something like that) and needed replacing. He did show me and it was really rusty and flaky where one of the pipes connected to the middle box.

Anyway, I got it replaced, £26 fitted which was a lot cheaper than I expected.

But, I am sure the car sounds noisier now, ie more throaty.

I know you get a smell from new exhaust parts until they wear in a bit but it shouldn't sound noisier should it?

If it was cracked before, could that have made it sound quieter?

Sorry if that is a thick question but I am wondering if I should go back and ask them take it for a spin around the block or if this is normal (it's a 1.2 car).

sb44

Ok, just been looking through some old threads and it seems that new exhausts do sound noisier until they wear in a bit and get full of cra*.

Feel a bit better now that I have read that.

Keith

Some after market exhausts do make the car louder, when I changed the backbox on mine from standard to OEM the difference in noise is shocking.

sb44

Well, I still have the flipin' rattling noise so it wasn't the exhaustl

Oh well, at least we found out that the middle box was on it's way out anyway.

We have a machanic coming to replace the cam belt next week, will have to ask him to have another look for the rattle.

sb44

Keith wrote: »

Some after market exhausts do make the car louder, when I changed the backbox on mine from standard to OEM the difference in noise is shocking.

Did it improve any as time went on?

Limey

Most likely a heatshield that has snapped a weld, highly irritating but not serious.

sb44

Limey wrote: »

Most likely a heatshield that has snapped a weld, highly irritating but not serious.

Ok, now you are talking to someone of the female sex here what is a heatshield?

Keith

sb44 wrote: »

Did it improve any as time went on?

Nope from reading up on it, the brand fitted is generally louder than standard.

Limey

sb44 wrote: »

Ok, now you are talking to someone of the female sex here what is a heatshield?

Basically a thin sheet of steel that's welded onto the exhaust. It reduces the amount of heat that radiates from the exhaust pipe and reduces engine bay temperatures.

If it's a tinny/buzzy rattle that's coming from the car I'd put my money on a heatshield.

Conor_3

If you're lucky, a weld on one of the heatshields has gone. If you're unlucky, it's the plates in the catalytic converter rattling.

steveo3002

ive had probs before , theyre so heavy handed and careless they damage other parts of the exhaust when fitting the new bits lol

or theyve undone a rusty bolt and mangled it so it wont go back in