I'm going nuts with exhaust noise and I want it to stop! I have a '94 LX Wagon.

I actually drove around tonight with a microphone, placing it in various spots in the engine compartment to find the noise that only exists when the engine is under a load.

It seems to come from where the exhaust mainifold meets the next pipe. Advance Auto Parts says there's no gasket material since it gets so hot. There's some metal ring or something.

Does anyone know what part is responsible for maintaining a relatively air-tight seal at this junction? Also, is there a high-temperature gasket I could try?

Also, the guy said there's a big problem with bolts breaking off. Should I have a professional do this? I basically like tinkering. This would be my biggest project to date, aside from taking apart much of the dashboard.

Thanks!

 

I had the same problem. I changed the manifold gasket, and I still had the rattle.
I'll bet my life the noise is coming form your down pipe.
Get under your car (when it's cool) and give the down pipe a couple of stiff bangs with the palm of your hands. You should hear a knock with each bang. If you do, the inner lining is broken and you'll have to replace the pipe.
Oh, and it cant be welded either.

 

I'm hearing a loud growl during accelleration, not a rattle. Do you know the purpose of the inner lining?

Is the "down pipe" the pipe that heads down from the exhaust manifold then turns 90 degrees to the cat?

 

Yes it is.
Bang it the way I said and let me know.

 

Those rings actually kind of "flatten out" when they are tigtehend down. Sometimes they do fail though, they are more or less soft metal gaskets that withstand high temps relatively well...Hard as hades for me to locate last time I needed some too...

- Nathan