Engine Loud

[PlanGK]

I did notice my engine is louder than usual, very noticeably louder, under the hood. What could this mean?

[1990LS400]

Could mean something has broken or come loose? You didn't describe the nature of the sound.

Attached is a photo of an automotive stethoscope -- great for finding the source of noises ... about $4.00.

[dcfish]

Does the exhaust sound loud ? Check the Y pipe from the exhaust manifold, They are known to crack. Is it a metalic sound ? Any other info would be greatly appreciated.

[celjock]

I have the same problem with my 1993--136k miles. In my car it is a cracked rear exhaust manifold. I have come to learn that it is very expensive to repair (8-9 hrs labor) since the rear side is very difficult to get to.

I am perplexed because it otherwise runs fine as a car for my teeanage son, but I really hoped that I could get many more miles. It likely not worth the $1000-1200 to spend at this juncture of car's life.

Any thoughts?

[SW03ES]

Its all relative. Can the car be replaced with something as reliable and safe for your son as it is for $1200? Does it really HAVE to cost $1200? Where did you get that estimate?

[PlanGK]

Yeah, its as if the sound from the engine isn't being sent to the exhaust at all, maybe something did crack, I'll try to get a look under it tomorrow.

[PlanGK]

I didn't see anything cracked under the car but I did notice some pretty consistent smoking behind the engine, under the intake manifold. Another thing is that on a few occasions the first start up in the morning, the engine would start but would slowly turn over, like the idle rpm would be really low and slowly go up. . I don't know if that has anything to do with it. I am in the process of replacing the starter contacts, because the starter would click when I turned the key. Would a bad starter cause a start up like that?