For the last year there has been a slight metallic rattle coming from my engine somewhere, take a look around and i find it's the exhaust manifold, the mesh around the piping has cracked and when you hit the manifold exterior you can hear the same sound from the movement.
It was barely noticable so i let it go...But yesterday all of a sudden it became very loud and rapid...like someone shaking a steel maracca filled with shrapnel. So i say "stuff this i'm getting it fixed, but topped up the oil today and guess what.

Stops, Nothing, only the slightest hint of it when you hit around 1.9revo's when the engine's cold...you have to concentrate to hear it if your lucky.

I was thinking my old man may have knocked it on a rock when he was moving some junk with the trailer. (behind the house can be rocky) But this was before it stopped.

Sorry for the life story, but any ideas? I'm trying to pull some cash together for a new exhaust anyway..but it may be a while.

Cheers!

Cracked/broken flex pipe?

Almost certainly need a new flex pipe. If you can, save yourself some labour costs and leave it till you do your whole exhaust.

I'd agree with the suggestions to get the flex pipe replaced. Also, I'd say that just topping up the oil may have just allowed the engine to run a little smoother, maybe vibrating a little less causing less rattle.

I have noticed that most new cars when they are getting a little low on oil seem to vibrate a fair bit more and generally run a heap worse. I was having troubles with one of my cars the other day (a 2003 Honda Oddysey) which seems to lose a fair bit of oil every month, and it was generally running really badly and felt sluggish and vibrating really badly. Found the oil was at the low mark, so I filled it up again, and suddenly engine is running smooth as silk and is running well again! Just a thing with modern engines I guess...

Yeah...thats what i mentioned...cracked flex pipe, however i've been told this part cannot be purchased on it's own and a whole new exhaust line is the best option.

The thing is..Its been there through many oil top ups and oil changes and had no effect, then all of a sudden it gets much louder. (the oil was low when i checked it, but it would have been low-ish for a considerable amount of time before that) Then it just stopped after i topped up the oil. Hmm...either way it's still quiet now...perhaps i can put that new stereo in front of the exhaust :)

Yeah...thats what i mentioned...cracked flex pipe, however i've been told this part cannot be purchased on it's own and a whole new exhaust line is the best option.

The thing is..Its been there through many oil top ups and oil changes and had no effect, then all of a sudden it gets much louder. (the oil was low when i checked it, but it would have been low-ish for a considerable amount of time before that) Then it just stopped after i topped up the oil. Hmm...either way it's still quiet now...perhaps i can put that new stereo in front of the exhaust :)
Flexi Pipes can be put on by them selves dont need need to put a whole new exhaust on i suggest you change exhaust shops very cheap part should cost under $100 bucks to get done

i also heard that on the 3rd gens where the "Y" piece is, there is a baffle in there and it comes loose and rattles. Can anyone confirm this?

tam had that divider come loose about a year ago in her tf. made a shocking noise some days and other days there was nothing. got it welded back in place with no problem since

i also heard that on the 3rd gens where the "Y" piece is, there is a baffle in there and it comes loose and rattles. Can anyone confirm this?

yeah that may be it.

I'm going to get it checked out again just to be sure. But It's okay for now, next time it goes in for a service i'll get it checked out!

to check if it is the problem just get under the car while it's running and listen for it around the area. if it's not doing it at the time you should be able to tap it with a hammer to get it to rattle. if that is the problem you should get it fixed before it comes out totally and makes it's way to the cat

to check if it is the problem just get under the car while it's running and listen for it around the area. if it's not doing it at the time you should be able to tap it with a hammer to get it to rattle. if that is the problem you should get it fixed before it comes out totally and makes it's way to the cat

yeah thats what i did i hit it with a shifter and heard the rattle..right behind the exhaust manifold..in there somewhere...however fixing it is completely out of my domain...so i'm gonna get it checked again at the mechanics next time i go for service.

what happens if it comes loose? kaboom?! or will it just get caught in the muffler or catalytic converter?

there probably won't be an earth shattering kaboom. you could expect poor perfomance & or damage to the cat if it comes away.

Ah okay, i'll certanly get it checked next chance i get!