Hey guys (girls..if there are any)

This is a separate sound then what some of you may remember a similar post I had created a few weeks back..so please dont think I'm double-posting

When I am accelerating (when the car is really working to get to speed) I hear a "hiss" or it could also be described as a REALLY fast tick-tick-tick sound...which I think is coming from my exhaust.

Is that a sign of an exhaust leak? Is it a sign of anything?...or is it normal considering my car is 15 yrs old?

Any input, as always, is greatly appreciated.

 

exhaust studs?
flex pipe leaking?

 

My 200sx used to do that, the exhaust gasket (between the manifold and down pipe) was shot, well not shot, more like the buts rusted through and when I "fixed" it I was too lazy to get a new gasket, or the right size nuts for that matter and ended up with 3 large nuts and one small nut holding the thing together without a gasket. Maybe this happened to your car? Maybe you took off the down pipe and replaced it incorrectly? Im just kiddin with ya, but seriously my car made the same sound from the down pipe connection.

 

Yep...I dunno what the heck either of those 2 are.. Is the flex pipe the long pipe thats in between the muffler and the cat?
Alls I know is that its been making that noise for awhile...probably like a year. It started happening right before my muffler crapped out...then I had meineke replace the muffler and that pipe and it still makes that noise so I just assumed it just sounds like that cause its old...
I mean it doesnt sound like its hurting the car or like my car is dying...but its strange cause it only does that when the car is really working to move/gain speed...If you're on the highway and hittin the gas..but just kinda coastin (not trying to gain anymore speed) I dont notice the sound....WeIrD.

 

The flex pipe is a braided tube in the center of your car behind the front wheels. If you get under your car sometimes you can see it seperating. Mine has gotten so bad it isnt connected anymore, the braided flex pipe is just resting on the other piece.

 

so if its not connected..or its beginning to separate thats not good im assuming? So, is there anything I can do to keep it together

 

I would guess it's exhaust studs, a small hole in the flex pipe section of your y-pipe, or a bad gasket (likely the o-ring ones).

When mine had an exhaust leak, I thought it was the y-pipe, but it turned out to be one of the o-ring gaskets. The one between the rear manifold and the y-pipe was totally flattened and air was getting by. They are round and metal and over time I guess they just get flattened out.

 

My car makes the same noise when accelerating, and in my case, its the exhaust studs.

 

i had that and i think kind of a have a little bit of that now and I think it's cuz my y-pipe has gone bad