Asked by: Lore Whittaker
automotive auto parts

Is it safe to drive with a rattling exhaust?

12
If the cause of a loud muffler is not a defect, it is just loud, it may not be as dangerous to drive, but you may get pulled over because of the noise. It is possible that a broken piece of the muffler may have come off and is rattling in the exhaust system, which can cause the clunking sound.


Keeping this in consideration, can you drive with a rattling exhaust?

A loose bracket, rubber hanger or connector, or one that is badly corroded, can allow a muffler to rattle as the exhaust pipe bangs against another part of your vehicle when you accelerate or drive on bumpy roads, or even when you first start the car and it's stationary and idling.

Secondly, how much does it cost to fix a rattling exhaust? If you can hear a kind of rattling sound as you drive along, this usually means that a bracket holding part of the exhaust system in place has become loose and is no longer holding things in place properly. When caught early, this issue is pretty straight-forward and inexpensive to amend – around $40.

Furthermore, is a rattling exhaust dangerous?

A chugging noise could mean a blockage in the exhaust system. If you hear rattling under the car it could mean that the exhaust system has become misaligned. If you can hear a loud metallic vibration, it usually means that something is touching the exhaust pipe or that a clamp, support bracket or mounting is loose.

When I press on the gas I hear a rattling noise?

Detonation, Pre-ignition (Pinging) Noise Most people call this a pinging or rattling sound. This noise is caused by an air/fuel mixture in the engine cylinder being ignited prematurely by the heat of compression as the piston is moving up on the compression stroke.

Related Question Answers

Bailey Grodensky

Explainer

Does a broken exhaust affect acceleration?

If the pipes become damaged or corroded, they can sometimes produce an exhaust leak that can cause the vehicle to experience performance issues. An exhaust leak from a broken pipe can cause the vehicle to experience a decrease in power, acceleration, and fuel efficiency due to the loss of backpressure.

Drame Henzl

Explainer

How do I fix a rattling noise when I accelerate?

Rattling noises when accelerating can be caused by low fluid levels in the A/T. Open the hood and check the fluid level. If the car is running low on transmission fluid, refill the reservoir to the proper level. After doing this, start the car and take a short test drive to see if the problem goes away.

Jincui Eschbach

Explainer

Do you need a heat shield on your exhaust?

TOM: The heat shields are actually metal guards that surround the various pieces of your exhaust system. The bottom shields are there so that if you park on tall, dry grass or some other combustible material, your 600-degree exhaust system won't set stuff under the car on fire. It doesn't happen often, but it can.

Qianqian Allegro

Pundit

What does a broken exhaust sound like?

A broken muffler may cause the car to have a louder sound than before. Thumping or clunking may indicate that something is broken in the exhaust system. Some mufflers contain baffles to reduce the noise of the exhaust system. These may become broken or loose and cause rattling in a muffler.

Love Agroskin

Pundit

What does a bad exhaust sound like?

Overly Noisy Engine
If you have a faulty exhaust manifold gasket, it will cause an exhaust leak that sounds like a hissing or tapping sound. The sound is especially loud during a cold start or when you accelerate the vehicle.

Arume Quartarone

Teacher

What does a bad heat shield sound like?

If the heat shield becomes loose, damaged or broken, perhaps due to loose hardware or damage from rust, it will cause the heat shield to vibrate and produce a rattling sound. The rattling will be most prominent at low engine speeds, and may change in pitch or tone according to engine speed.

Darling Dina

Teacher

Will a new exhaust get quieter over time?

Magnaflow and borlas and any other straight through muffler will get LOUDER over time and continue to do so until they are no good any more ( a long time ) a chambered muffler such as flowmaster will get louder and then stay that loud always.

Mouhssine Ejaz

Teacher

What can cause a rattling noise in a car?

Rattling from under your car– This can be caused by loose parts such as your exhaust system. Squealing wheels while braking– Causes range from small, such as dirt on the brake pads or rotors, to serious, such as worn pads. Brake noises are safety issues and require immediate attention.

Zoita Radlbrunner

Reviewer

What causes a loud exhaust?

Leak in Exhaust Manifold: The exhaust manifold collects exhaust gases from the engine. If there is a leak in the exhaust manifold it can cause the engine to run louder, sputter and run unevenly. In most cases it will also trigger the Check Engine light.

Minervino Vockl

Reviewer

Why is my car making rattling noises when I accelerate?

If you hear a pinging or rattling sound when accelerating, low-octane fuel could be the cause. Pinging (also called pre-ignition or detonation) can also be the result of carbon deposits, a bad knock sensor, overheating or incorrect ignition timing.

Fidelis Lochthofen

Reviewer

How much does it cost to fix a heat shield?

The parts, which are just pieces of sheet metal and a few bolts, should cost about $160 from a Honda parts department. And the job takes about an hour of labor. That means you should pay somewhere between $250 and $300 to have this done.

Long Bal

Reviewer

How much does a new exhaust cost?

You can purchase a new exhaust system for about $170 including pipes, resonator, and muffler on-line. So figure that the muffler type guys will charge you $200 for the parts and about 2 hours of labor. Labor rate should be about $50 - $60 per hour so figure $120 for the labor or a total of $320.