RATTLING NOISE EXHAUST PIPE/BACK OF ENGINE

[joeljcruz86]

HELP!

I've read through the forums related to this issue and still no success. I have a weird rattling noise that comes once done within the following:
1.) driving the vehicle more than at least 15 minutes
2.) the car is in drive and the foot on the brake pedal

The rattling goes away when in neutral, and it isn't there in reverse as well.
The sound is very strong behind the engine bay and the noise goes with shaking the engine back and forth by hand. My friend and I noticed that the noise also went away when a flat head screw driver is wedged between the mid-pipe connected to the up-pipe (headers) towards the engine. I also pushed up (braced) the mid-pipe towards the bottom of the car and the engine goes away too.
My friend strongly feels and convinced that my gasket that connects the two pipes is most likely bad and that there is an exhaust leak possibly. but the car does not sound like it has one.

I drive a 2009 3dr. hatchback, aftermarket exhaust, over 100,000 miles.

ps. I also tried the zip-tie of that cable method and it is still there. Plus checked most of the head shield through out the exhaust pipes and still nothing.

[Rigaud]

Heat sheild on top of the exhaust manifold. It holds with 2 bolts at the bottom (first to rust away) then 2 bolts at the top at opposite ends. I removed mine when I installed a header.

[joeljcruz86]

Heat sheild on top of the exhaust manifold. It holds with 2 bolts at the bottom (first to rust away) then 2 bolts at the top at opposite ends. I removed mine when I installed a header.

Is there a suggested (easy way) to go about this?:iono: And if theres a picture, that would be really appreciated!:bow::thumbup:

[joeljcruz86]

I found out that its not the heat shield covering the manifold. I completely give up. The noise is really annoying, but I've tried all options trying to pinpoint that it is.

Its cross between a squealing metallic noise if anything. The first thing I thought when the noise started was the fan belt or a possible loose pulley. Thats as close the noise can be described.

[yanickr1973]

I have the exact same problem as you!

I checked the heat shield and it's ok, not touching anywhere and in good condition

When I hold the rubbers next to the catalytic converter the noise stop.

From my ear, the noise comes from the catalytic converter

my guess is that there is something broken inside the catalytic converter :(

[WeeYari]

^ given the age of your car, the problem is most likely the donout gasket between the exhaust header and the pipe is shot.

This is what mine looked like when I pulled it out of the car in 2011.

[joeljcruz86]

^ given the age of your car, the problem is most likely the donout gasket between the exhaust header and the pipe is shot.

This is what mine looked like when I pulled it out of the car in 2011.

Yeah my friend said that it was possible the gasket that needs to be replaced. But as I do with all things to diagnose the problem, I have to see it myself or take it apart. The only issue I ran into was that the 2 bolts that is connecting the pipe to the headers, is that the one bolt i was able to unscrew, but the other bolt seems to be siezed in. I've tried spraying it with almost all kinds of lube or liquids that breaks rust, and also using heat. But it won't budge plus it feels like its pretty much getting stripped or the bolt is already stripped.

I know I eventually want to replace the whole pipe eventually if I ever get the money to, but if I can resolve that annoying noise by just replacing the gasket and save that much money, why the hell not?? Also the fact that it such a tight area so have any movement to do anything down there. I'm just working with a basic floor jack.

Any ideas with that stubborn bolt? my car is a 2009 by the way. Also methods that are cheap too?

[Exiwolfman]

Yeah my friend said that it was possible the gasket that needs to be replaced. But as I do with all things to diagnose the problem, I have to see it myself or take it apart. The only issue I ran into was that the 2 bolts that is connecting the pipe to the headers, is that the one bolt i was able to unscrew, but the other bolt seems to be siezed in. I've tried spraying it with almost all kinds of lube or liquids that breaks rust, and also using heat. But it won't budge plus it feels like its pretty much getting stripped or the bolt is already stripped.

I know I eventually want to replace the whole pipe eventually if I ever get the money to, but if I can resolve that annoying noise by just replacing the gasket and save that much money, why the hell not?? Also the fact that it such a tight area so have any movement to do anything down there. I'm just working with a basic floor jack.

Any ideas with that stubborn bolt? my car is a 2009 by the way. Also methods that are cheap too?


at this point u gone need bolt extractor socket and heat like a torch..heat the nut side and then use extractor to loosen the bolt , dont brake cos its a pain to remove..lol

[Exiwolfman]

^ given the age of your car, the problem is most likely the donout gasket between the exhaust header and the pipe is shot.

This is what mine looked like when I pulled it out of the car in 2011.

Just did mine this summer and they looked same as urs , had to use heat to remove bolts ...pain in the ass:mad:

[WeeYari]

Any ideas with that stubborn bolt? my car is a 2009 by the way. Also methods that are cheap too?

With limited tools and resources, I'd say it might well be time to suck it up and head to a garage to get that sucker out. Break it yourself trying to save some $$, and you end up in a whole new world of hurt.

[CB900F2]

Hi WeeYari

I developed a rattle and I think it is to coming from the same joint as if I apply some pressure to the exhaust, the rattle will stop..

When you unbolted the pipe from the header, was there enough room to manually pull the exhaust pipe back to get to the gasket and correctly install and seat the new gasket?

Thanks Wee and all!


^ given the age of your car, the problem is most likely the donout gasket between the exhaust header and the pipe is shot.

This is what mine looked like when I pulled it out of the car in 2011.

[Exiwolfman]

Yup enuf space just have to unhook the exhaust from middle hangers at least one side so u can flex it back .

sent from my S4 on Mars

[WeeYari]

When you unbolted the pipe from the header, was there enough room to manually pull the exhaust pipe back to get to the gasket and correctly install and seat the new gasket?

Yes

Yup enuf space just have to unhook the exhaust from middle hangers at least one side so u can flex it back .


I never unhooked any hangers. It was tight, but there is enough space.

[CB900F2]

Thanks guys!.. I took a look a the condition of the bolts and they look a world of hurt!. rusted on good...

[Exiwolfman]

Gone need heat to remove ..torch works best... Gone need new bolts too, take to a shop

sent from my S4 on Mars

[CB900F2]

Hey guys..

Thank you for your feedback, and I changed out the gasket and it was much easier then I was expecting..

No need for heat on the bolts, one pull with my 18" long racket, and they broke lose.

And for my sedan, I needed to unhook the middle hangers as suggested by Wolfman, as if you don't, there isn't enough room to work at getting the gasket off, and re-installing the new one.

And in my situation, I had this issue when I would be braking where at from the 60km to the 50km speed, I would get a rumble with in the car. I was really thinking I had warpped rotors, and it was related to the gasket.. I can only assume the gasket was also leaking and it would somehow cause something to resonate enough to cause this rubble/shake through out the car.

Thanks again guys.


Yup enuf space just have to unhook the exhaust from middle hangers at least one side so u can flex it back .

sent from my S4 on Mars