Why has my car gotten louder?

[weiv0004]

So I've noticed lately that my '03 Taurus' engine has been somewhat louder. I've had it a little over a year now, and it's got about 78,000 miles on it. It may be my imagination, but it seems to idle a little louder. It is definitely louder while accelerating though, both in forward and reverse there's definitely a louder "Purring" sound. I wouldn't call it a bad sound, not a grinding or scraping sound or anything inconsistent, it's just louder engine sounds.

Any reason why this might be? Is it just a sign that my car is getting older? All of the fluids seem to be fine and I'm not seeing anything noticeably wrong under the hood, however I know next to nothing about cars, so that isn't saying much.


Thanks!

---Update---

So I took the car into the shop yesterday. They found no problems with the exhaust, so I asked them to check the engine as well. This also turned up nothing. This got me to thinking, maybe I'm just imagining it?

I was used to driving in the summer with the windows down and radio up, or if need be the air conditioner blowing. It is now cooler and I drive with the windows closed. Also, I recently got new tires, which ride considerably quieter than the old ones.

Is there another likely cause for this that the shop could have missed? Or should I just chalk this one up as my paranoia?

 

[Jahee]

You may have a small hole in the exhaust.

 

[jagec]

Your exhaust system is starting to rust out. Is there a lot of salt use in your area (winter, that is?)

 

[weiv0004]

There's definitely a lot of salt used up here in Minnesota. Any way I can check this out for sure, or should I bring it in to a garage? Is this something that can be replaced relatively easily, or am I looking at a big bill here?

Thanks for the replies!

 

[SparkyJJO]

Depends on the hole. If it is just a small thing they can just patch that.

Look under the car at the exhaust pipe. Common problem areas are where the pipe attaches to the manifold, the catalytic converter, and the muffler - pretty much any joint can be susceptible.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: weiv0004
There's definitely a lot of salt used up here in Minnesota. Any way I can check this out for sure, or should I bring it in to a garage? Is this something that can be replaced relatively easily, or am I looking at a big bill here?

Thanks for the replies!

Well, since you only mention that it's gotten a little louder, it's probably post-cat. It might be a hole in the muffler, or a small hole between the muffler and the cat. It's not really hurting your car, so feel free to put it off, but since you don't mention it being extremely loud it's probably patchable. In my experience once you start getting exhaust system leaks, you keep getting them, so if it gets really annoying I'd look at a new pipe. But for now, patch away.

 

[Tarrant64]

I have this on my '01 accord. It was hard to tell at first but after a couple months it was obvious it's something with the exhaust. I've put it off as the car runs fine and all(except for an odd tranny problem). I will probably get it fixed though before the first snow. I was told it's pretty quick and cheap if you just take it somewhere like Tuffy's or something.

 

[boomerang]

I would suspect the gaskets where the exhaust manifold meets the cylinder head.

Most (if not all) exhaust systems are stainless steel nowadays and have few if any joints. The only connection you'll typically find is where the pipe(s) meet the manifold(s). Otherwise the entire system is welded solid.

If the leak is under the hood at the cylinder head, I would not ignore it. Get it fixed.

 

[Jahee]

Originally posted by: boomerang
I would suspect the gaskets where the exhaust manifold meets the cylinder head.

Most (if not all) exhaust systems are stainless steel nowadays and have few if any joints. The only connection you'll typically find is where the pipe(s) meet the manifold(s). Otherwise the entire system is welded solid.

If the leak is under the hood at the cylinder head, I would not ignore it. Get it fixed.

You forget about corrosion..

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Jahee

Originally posted by: boomerang
I would suspect the gaskets where the exhaust manifold meets the cylinder head.

Most (if not all) exhaust systems are stainless steel nowadays and have few if any joints. The only connection you'll typically find is where the pipe(s) meet the manifold(s). Otherwise the entire system is welded solid.

If the leak is under the hood at the cylinder head, I would not ignore it. Get it fixed.

You forget about corrosion..

If they're SS, they won't corrode under normal conditions.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: Jahee

Originally posted by: boomerang
I would suspect the gaskets where the exhaust manifold meets the cylinder head.

Most (if not all) exhaust systems are stainless steel nowadays and have few if any joints. The only connection you'll typically find is where the pipe(s) meet the manifold(s). Otherwise the entire system is welded solid.

If the leak is under the hood at the cylinder head, I would not ignore it. Get it fixed.

You forget about corrosion..

If they're SS, they won't corrode under normal conditions.

My last three cars have had SS exhaust systems. SS FTW! (That's stainless steel, not the Nazi paramilitary force.)

 

[weiv0004]

Updated. (See above) Any more advice?

 

[LTC8K6]

Muffler baffles could be corroding inside the muffler. No holes to see, but more noise than you are used to.

 

[LTC8K6]

Noise can also be coming from the air intake system. Make sure it is all hooked up properly. It is designed to muffle the noise of the intake air and it can get louder if parts of it come loose.

 

[exdeath]

Most common undesirable engine noises come from accessories and the accessory drive system and can be associated with normal acceptable wear and noise, which is why a mechanic isn't going to be alarmed and find anything wrong. In most cases everything is perfectly functional and in no need of replacement, it's just not everything is brand spanking new and completely silent anymore.

Things like alternator, power steering pump, A/C compressor drive, water pump, and all the various pulley and idlers and all their bearings that can whine, squeel, and groan.

Do you always have the A/C on and does turning it off make it quiet? etc. Check to see if any of the serpentine belts are glazed or appear burned on the back side. etc. Did you replace an alternator recently and maybe tensioned the belt too tight, thus causing slipping or extra loading on the idlers, etc.

Reminds me... need to check all the idlers and stuff on my Camry. The slight squeal at idle doesn't bother me, but it's got to the point that there is faint hot rubber belt smell indicating that some of the idlers aren't turning as smooth as they should be.

 

[exdeath]

Another source of noises are vacuum leaks, esp. if a vacuum hose or plastic barb breaks, stuff like that. A mechanic may easily miss a vacuum leak, they are a pain if it's not obviously loud compared to the rest of the ambient engine noise. Normally you find vacuum leaks while troubleshooting the causes of other problems.

 

[zig3695]

Stainless Steel exhausts dont corrode? SO THERE REALLY ARE ELVES! THE ONES THAT TOOK OFF MY MUFFLER ooohhh thats awesome!

anyway, if its just general engine noise- try first with additives. a can of good ole' "RESTORE" engine cleaner/lubricant can do wonders for engines nearing 100k. also, have your transmission fluid changed, or if nothing else add some viscosity enhancer like lucas transmission fix or something. youll be amazed how smooth and quiet transmissions can get when you add some thickness to their fuilds. same goes with engine oil...

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: weiv0004

---Update---

So I took the car into the shop yesterday. They found no problems with the exhaust, so I asked them to check the engine as well. This also turned up nothing. This got me to thinking, maybe I'm just imagining it?

I was used to driving in the summer with the windows down and radio up, or if need be the air conditioner blowing. It is now cooler and I drive with the windows closed. Also, I recently got new tires, which ride considerably quieter than the old ones.

Is there another likely cause for this that the shop could have missed? Or should I just chalk this one up as my paranoia?

I think it's the tires. You're right, you're just hearing sounds you couldn't hear before.