Exhaust Issues

[the_professional]

The camry now sounds like a V8... when its only a 2.2L 5SFE.

i noticed a month ago a slighter louder engine noise but it wasnt much of a difference. Two days ago, at 75% throttle, all of a sudden the engine is deeper & with a growl. Same thing occurs no matter if the engine is hot or cold. It is most noticable when it accelerates from the 2000-4500 RPM range. Maybe the cold contracted and the heat expanded some parts? it was about 28 degrees out. I checked the under body for the exhaust, seems to be nothing under there. But, when the engine is reved, and even at idle, you hear a much louder noise right on the engine. Im guessing the intake manifold is loose? Since the sound i heard before was barely noticable a month a goand now it is pretty loud. No engine problems, no dash lights. Please help! How do i go about this? If it is the exhaust manifold, where do i tighten/check the manifold?

Thanks in advance!

[donbryce]

Sounds like a minor leak in the exhaust, which could be at one of the joints, or possible pinhole/crack in the pipe. Unlikely that the manifold itself is cracked, as its a substantially heavier thickness casting. Most muffler places will inspect your car for free, up on the hoist with the engine running. They sell part$ of course, but some will weld up a minor leak for a nominal fee. I've found that even a pinhole can be extremely LOUD, and a 1/2" crack is really up there in the sounds-awful range. Sometimes in really cold weather you can see the leak as steam coming from the area...