It looks like I have a hole in my muffler - its a 2k with 64k miles.
the Nissan site said the emmisions warranty is 2 yr 24k.
But i remember it was longer - would the muffler even be covered by the emmissions warranty?

How could it be bad so early -
My legend was 15 years old until I need one....

Anyways - there is a also a really annoying rattle coming from back there....any thoughts? Could that be the muffler as well ? (may be its loose?)

Thanks in advance
Mike

 

i doubt they would consider the muffler an emissions component. im unfamiliar with the weather in MD, do they use alot of salt or slag on the road? most emissions components are covered 7yr/80k miles iirc but that is mandated by a federal means.

 

You probably have the same problem myself and others have, the rear section of the exhaust system rusts out at the flange connecting to the B-pipe. The connection is just behind the passenger rear wheel if your interested in looking at it yourself. The rattling you are hearing is the pipe hitting some of the surrounding metal.

 

you're probably right.. which is insane. the whole exhaust sytem is a key component of emissions ratings...

I got a little rattle too.. whenever I go over a big bump I can hear something big down there shaking around. Definitely some exhaust pipe whose bracket came loose.. I'll have to go underneath and take a looksy

 

Happened to my 2k at 85,000 in the exact spot that Y2K mentioned. Now you can get a better muffler.

 

The weather is typical of the northeast except not as much snow.
Hot summers, cold winters with snow. But last year we had almost nothing.
Its bad enough when this stuff happends - its worse when I hear my maxima brothers feeling the same pain.

At least - here is my chance to get something aftermarket... :-)
(that is if the wife lets).

Later.

 

ohhhh, ok gotcha

 

o snap
****, i really think thats what i've been hearin all this time w/my car then

anyone have a PICTURE of this connection point?

 

Also be caerful when washing your car with the nose downhill. Water can enter the exhaust easily and sit. Not sure if our mufflers have weep holes or not.

 

This is what you're looking at--muffler connecting to the B-pipe. This is a pic of my Nissan stock muffler when it rusted out at the flange. Instead of a repair weld, I just ended up buying a new muffler and installled it myself. It was scary at first, but I installed it with no problems (being with the car on jackstands with the back end 2 feet up in the air ). Yeah, the early 5th gener's are proned to having their stock mufflers rusting out at the flanges. It seems to be a common problem for all of us. For all the noises that people may be experiencing, these noises could possibly come from the pipe hitting the rear beam axle. This could be caused from worned out rubber hangers holding up the muffler.

 

the horror
the horror...

thx mixx, nice max
only way i can tell its a 2k is the grill

off topic:
where is your auto dimming mirror hooked up to?

 

Thanks! Do you mean where it's wired to? I have a temp. sensor mounted inside the front bumper, and the mirror is tapped into the cigarette lighter circuit. (Sorry, for the off topic answer and hijacking. )

 

It is definitely the flange that rusted out. Your exhaust will sound quite a bit louder, and it will rattle/clank/bang around when you go over some bumps. You can either get it welded together (prob around 30-40 bucks at your muffler shop) or upgrade to an aftermarket rear muffler section (or entire catback if you have the money).

My exhaust flange rusted out at around 80k; 64k sounds a little bit early.

 

Im having the same problem. 01 max with 58k miles. bit early wont ya say?

 

Well, I have an '02 with 51k miles and mine rusted out, so I'm really early in having this problem. For now I don't mind the noise and just deal with it. Sounds cool really.

 

i believe emissions warranty is applied only to cars that cant pass emissions within 2yr/24k miles after vehicle is purchased new. exhaust leak at the flange isnt covered because o2 only measure until after precats, therefore your MIL wont light up. the exhaust on these cars will always have certain rust issues due to us being in the NE where they use salt frequently. even the cars that come into the dealership 2004/2005 have problems with the bolts and surface rust. the rattle could be a worn hanger, rusted heatsheild, loose nut, etc. bring the car to your mechanic and ask him to check it out or even easier is to just jack the car up and take a look. shake the muffler and try to pinpoint where the sound is coming from.

 

Guys... this happened to my Maxi last month!
It's an '02 with 46k miles...
The harsh New England winter seasons claimed mine!

I got a RPM aftermarket muffler from Lou's Custom exhaust...
A week after that my heat shield got loose and it rattles every now and then! Oh well I am just gonna let it fall off!

 

I know but it gets worse... I was going on a date and I was like... I gotta get it fixed up, cuz with my luck the muffler would fall off right after I picked her up! haha...
I was enjoyin the sound too, but it got worse after 2 days and I couldnt take the chance...