Hi, my maxima got towed about a week ago because I got a flat tire. The tire got fixed that day, and the car sat around the house for about a week without being driven.

When I started it today, I noticed it had a very horse, rough sound -- the engine was not as smooth as it used to be. The sound it made sounded like those that come from cars with exhaust upgrades - loud and rough. Or if you like, it sounded like that of the old 3rd Gen exhaust manifold leak (but without the tic-tat-tats). Other than this, the car drives and pulls fine.

The car is 109K miles. I know its time for a tune up, and has been saving for replacing the plugs, wires and coils. Does that sound like a serious problem -- MAF, etc?

Any thoughts as to what might be causing this?

thanks - Noela

 

Sounds like you developed a leak in the exhaust somewhere.

 

Yes, the more I listen to it, especially closer to the exhaust system, the more I'm inclined to believe that there is a leak in the exhaust system.

How do I check this? at the dealers? Anywhere else?

And if there is a leak, is total replacement the remedy or it can be patched - welded?

thanks - Noela

 

Take it to your local muffler repair shop...it's cheaper. Google what's available in your area.

 

Well,

I took the car to a muffler shop today. The verdict, according to the mechanic, is that I need to replace my muffler assembly because the tube is broken around the place it connects to the flangs ....the exact spot is shown in red in the attached picture. According to the mechanic, this is a really common problem with maximas.

1. Do I really need a new muffler?
   
2. If I need a new muffler -- just a stock replacement - what would you recommend ? Where and at what price?
   
3. If it can be welded, how long will it last?

thanks again for your inputs ...

Noela

 

Mine broke in the same spot. I replaced the b-pipe and the muffler with a Bosal unit. I paid less then 200.00 for the parts and had a muffler shop install it for 60.00. A stock muffler is 350.00 just for the muffler and the b pipe was 250.00. The Bosal doesnt have the trick flap like the stock unit but hey it gets the job done

 

Lol, that pic looks familiar!

1. if nothing's wrong with the muffler, don't need a muffler
2. n/a
3. if the hole has a lot of rust, welding won't "stick" as well as it should - you need at least a little decent metal.

Well, what I did was take it to a shop to just weld in a straight pipe, replacing the flange/connection. Took me a while though to find a shop who didn't try to play me for a fool. Got it done for 25 bucks.

 

That's how I did it on mine...it's the cost effective way.

 

yep... I took it to a couple of muffler shops today -- prices quoted ranged from $200-$300 for replacement of the muffler assembly, until one of the Meineke guys quoted $125 for cutting the flange piece out, welding a sleeve over the joints.

I will look further for cheaper places...

but how does this look:

http://www.car-stuff.com/carparts/ni...bo2780251.html

Would $95 be a good replacement, in case, I can't it fixed lower than $125 in my area.

thanks -Noela

 

I paid $80 at Midas 2.5 yrs ago *I prolly could have done it cheaper if I went somewhere else* for the replacement of the flange/connection and they added the straight pipe. 30K later and no issues

 

That's exactly the spot my factory exhaust rusted away 3 years ago. At the time, my mechanic said the same thing: it's a common problem with maximas.

You could look at this as an opportunity to get a cat-back. It's a more expensive path than you're currently looking for, but like I said... opportunity is knocking.

 

leak in the exhaust somewhere? look under the car it could be worse than you think..

 

Your lucky, mine broke at the flex pipe and there was a hole in the muffler.

 

I think pretty much everyone who had their stock exhaust for 80k miles or more got the rust-through/break in that same location....

 

thanks very much -- after some shopping around, I finally was able to get it welded for $50. Now the car runs pretty smoothly.

thanks again for all your diagnostic ideas.

 

I'm nearly double that and I've had no rust through problems. Move out of the snow belt.