98 Camry Running Loud

[njdhockey30]

Hey all - I have a 4cyl 98 Camry and when I started it up last week, it was running really loud. It sounded like it was coming from up front, so I popped the hood and took a look in there and I think that's where the problem is. I thought it could also have something to do with the cold weather, so I wasn't too concerned, but it has continued to run louder than usual. My initial thought was that I have some sort of exhaust leak... does this sound possible? If so, is there any way to figure out where it is coming from so I can possibly try to find a DIY repair? Thanks in advance and any thoughts you have are appreciated.

[hill8570]

Kind of depends on what kind of loud you're talking about. If it sounds like you're running without a muffler, then exhaust is the likely problem. An exhaust noise from up front is usually the flex pipe going out -- it's roughly even with the firewall -- looks like bulge in the exhaust with braided wire on the outside. If you can locate it under the car, see if it sounds like the noise is coming from that area.

[hawkeye]

Went through this with my '98 last Fall. Hit some major dips from deck reconstruction on the highway and started hearing loud exhaust the next day. FYI, that pipe is expensive because the Cat is part of it.

[finfinder]

Yep, it sounds like the flexpipe is trashed. I just had a new one welded on at Midas in January for $181. The dealer prices for oem stuff will kill ya. They'll want to just replace the whole exhaust for mega bucks.

[deezeejoey]

I say flex pipe.

[Mike Gerber]

Most of the time an exhaust noise up front is from a worn out/rusted out flex pipe, as several others have said. This is not a repair I would advise trying yourself. You need to have the proper cutting tools and a welder. The cheapest way to repair this is to have an independent muffler shop cut out the old flex pipe and weld in a new aftermarket one. I had this done about 1-1/2 years ago to my 94 Camry. Cost was around $150.

Mike