Hey,

I've got a slight exhaust rattle/vibration only under acceleration on my 2002 4Runner. It sounds like a loose cat heat shield, or a pebble stuck between the cat and heat shield. I haven't spent a whole lot of time trying to diagnose it yet, but I did crawl under the truck with a rubber mallet a couple of weeks ago. The cats and cat heat shields seem fine and tight when I tap them, but when I tap the muffler, I hear the rattle. From the outside, the muffler seems OK. Has anybody had an OE muffler "go bad" (rust/crack/break on the inside, I guess) after only 4 years? Yes, I live near the ocean, but the rest of the truck is in good condition rust-wise.

If there is just something loose in there, I wonder if there's any chance that I can shake out whatever is in there if I cut the muffler off, or should I just replace it with a new muffler (likely flowmaster 40 or 50 series)? Ideas/Opinions?

Thanks guys,
G

 

i got magnaflow 18'' and it sounds soo awsome the stock muffler was starting to leak from the spot welds

 

with magnaflows, is louder when longer? or louder when shorter? I see guy son here running everything from 12"s to 14"s to a few 18"s

 

Shorter is louder.

 

i like the way mine sounds deep and not to loud just right

 

the 22 or 24" magnaflow is comparable to stock sound.. the 18" (which I have) is just a bit louder than stock, with no droning at fwy speeds. the 14" is louder still, with mild droning. Just depends on what kind of sound you want.

 

OK... so back to my question? Muffler bad after 4 years and less than 70,000 miles? Happen to anybody else?

 

I was looking at my owners manual the other day and it said something about the warantee on the exhaust. Check your and see what it says. I think it is covered. Evenif it is not go to the dealership and ask.

4 Years is way too short for a muffler IMO.

 

You could blow some compressed air in there and see if anything goes flying (like pebbles, for example).

 

Nice thought, but the muffler is only covered under the basic warranty. It is not considered one of the major emissions components covered under the extended warranty of 8 years.

 

Hey GSGALLANT,

I've got a 2002 as well...i live in a rust belt (Montreal,QC)...and noticed that same rattle lately on mine (only under acceleration).

at first i thought its just a heat shield that i whacked and bent off-roading...but i haven't checked yet where its coming from.

I'll do as you and check and let you know tomorrow where mine is coming from (if its the muffler too?)

-B

 

Worth a shot. I am going to replace mine soon also. Not because it is bad but I want some power gains and a better sound also.

They are remarkable quiet from the factory. My wifes 04 Taco has a louder factory sound that I actually like a lot better.

 

I still have my stock exaust... still going strong after 220k miles. I was expecting it to rust out by now (I live in the wet/humid south) but it hasn't.

 

Yeah... it might just end up being a good reason for me to get an aftermarket higher flow muffler.

 

Sorry, but I'd have to disagree with you on this one. I had the stock muffler and just installed the 24/30 MagnaFlow on Wed. That thing is loud as hell when you start it up and when accellerating from a stop. Once you get past 1st gear, it quiets down alot, but its' certainly not comparable to stock as far as loudness.

 

Flowmaster 50 series mufflers don't have any in-cab resonation, at least in my 4Runner. I have heard some people with 3rd gens say the same thing, nice and quiet in the cab, agressive sound outside.

 

i thought flowmaster are junk

 

Wow I have never heard anything bad about Flowmasters except that some don't like the way they sound, which is an opinion based thing anyway.

In the world of V8 hot rods they are king!




Anyway. Erik that is good to know about the 24-30. I was so close to getting one. I may try a Gibson muffler since they don't make a full cat back kit. I loved the one on my Taco.

 

No.







Flowmasters are a toughly built muffler with great sound and not too big under your car or truck. Anything from an 18" to 24" Magnaflow is a pretty dang big muffler IMO.

 

Brian
are the 50 series the quietest flowmasters? Or is there another quieter series?