I'm having a muffler/ start up issue.. crap!

[camzshaft]

So this just started yesterday, but I noticed that when i would start my car it would turn over fine but the second after it fired up there would be a "KA CLUNK" sound coming from what I think is the back end. It performs and handles the same so I can't feel any difference performance wise, but I did notice that my muffler is really loose and I think it's ****ting the bed and about to fall off. I haven't climbed under my car yet to investigate because it's a mess outside but I tapped the muffler with my shoe and it swung back and forth quite a bit a couple times.

It SHOULD stay right in place nice and snug right? Also, my car doesn't sound any louder so that makes me second guess if it's a muffler issue because i figure if it was a muffler problem then my car would be getting louder. I had my gf start the car while I looked at the motor and the engine doesn't appear to twist or torque excessively when it turns over, so I doubt the clunking is a motor/ mount issue either. I'm stumped, please help.

Also, I'm hoping it is time for a new muffler because this one is ugly as sin. Can anyone recommend a good quality muffler that is good in all the areas (no fart cans, good fuel eco, sounds nice, not huge and gaudy etc)

Thanks

[velleguy73]

Originally Posted by camzshaft

So this just started yesterday, but I noticed that when i would start my car it would turn over fine but the second after it fired up there would be a "KA CLUNK" sound coming from what I think is the back end. It performs and handles the same so I can't feel any difference performance wise, but I did notice that my muffler is really loose and I think it's ****ting the bed and about to fall off. I haven't climbed under my car yet to investigate because it's a mess outside but I tapped the muffler with my shoe and it swung back and forth quite a bit a couple times.

It SHOULD stay right in place nice and snug right? Also, my car doesn't sound any louder so that makes me second guess if it's a muffler issue because i figure if it was a muffler problem then my car would be getting louder. I had my gf start the car while I looked at the motor and the engine doesn't appear to twist or torque excessively when it turns over, so I doubt the clunking is a motor/ mount issue either. I'm stumped, please help.

Also, I'm hoping it is time for a new muffler because this one is ugly as sin. Can anyone recommend a good quality muffler that is good in all the areas (no fart cans, good fuel eco, sounds nice, not huge and gaudy etc)

Thanks

Not sure about the circumstances of when your noise happens but 1st thing to check is the muffler hanger. It's the one that wraps around whole muffler. It always fails especially in places that experience this phenomenon known as snow and employ rocksalt to battle it.

How to check:
1st thing, grab the end of your tailpipe <cold preferably> and shake it all about. Hear that banging? That's where the exhaust pipe has found a resting point on the rear suspension. 2nd thing, find a non-piled with snow spot and bend down and inspect the band around the muffler. Chances are, it has failed near the bolt point and rusted apart. You will see it right on the side of the muffler facing out.

Some folks have had luck replacing this by rigging up their own loop. I tried twice, failed twice, then spend 40 beans at the dealer for the replacement. The dealer replacement is a much better design than the one that just rotted off your car. It was worth 40 just to make the issue go away.

I'd start there and see where it takes you. When mine failed, I'd get a big bang every time I hit a bump.