Exhaust noise

[simon]

I have 100,000+kms on my vibe and there is a noise coming from my exhaust? It only happens when the engine is under load. It sounds like a blowing exhaust (big throaty roar) but if I stand with my head under the hood and rev it, it sounds normal. Has anyone else had the same problem? Is my exhaust manifold loose?

[Mavrik]

I had the same thing happen with my 96 Pontiac Sunfire GT... would only do it under load, ended up having an exhaust pipe split near the flex pipe to the converter. had to replace the whole converter. I had 140,000KM on my car... out of converter warranty. You may have a gasket going or something simular.

[simon]

Thanks,I'm hoping that my car will hold together 'til Friday (220kms)I'll let you know

[Mavrik]

it took like 4 months for the noise to go from noticable only under load to all out blowing apart with no power lol.

[simon]

Great news with the car. I took the car to Midas, they found that the heat shield had corroded off and jammed next to the exhaust. That was what was causing the noise. I had wondered why it sounded worse inside the car than outside. They thoroughly checked the exhaust, removed the heat shield, final cost $0. I was well impressed. I'm sure the dealer would have stung me for 1/2hr. labour at least.