About a month ago I noticed my mom's gen 3.5 (1MZ w/ 89K miles) shaking a bit on a cold start once the idle dipped to 1.2-1.4K RPM after its initial 1.9K startup. Above and below 1.2-1.4K it's smooth as silk. Yesterday I started the car (it had been driven just an hour ago so it wasn't a cold start), walked to the trunk and thought the exhaust sounded louder than usual. I bent down and it's barely noticeable but I know it wasn't like that before.
Are these two symptoms related to a slight exhaust leak? I disregarded the slight shaking/vibration to the car being almost 16 years old, but now I'm wondering if it could be related to an exhaust leak.
The car drives perfectly fine and it's not a problem yet, if at all. I can't hear a difference at all while driving but the 1MZ has a low growl when you step on it anyway so I wouldn't notice until it was more severe. My cousin's Civic has an exhaust leak and it's LOUD! So, I know what it sounds like once it's bad enough.
Anyway, just looking for thoughts/opinions. Absolutely no problems whatsoever with the car, I still love driving it, especially because my own Camry has the 2.4L 2AZ. I love the 1MZ
Slight exhaust leak or something else?
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