# Car has very loud engine noise / exhaust pipe issue? muffler issue?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-has-very-loud-engine-noise-exhaust-pipe-issue-muffler-issue/42929>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** exhaustsystems, noises, lexus, engines, sc\
**Created:** [January 21, 2010, 1:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-has-very-loud-engine-noise-exhaust-pipe-issue-muffler-issue/42929 "2010-01-21T01:44:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![cluelesswithcars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2bfe46/32.png) [@cluelesswithcars](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cluelesswithcars)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 1:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-has-very-loud-engine-noise-exhaust-pipe-issue-muffler-issue/42929/1 "2010-01-21T01:44:42Z")

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My car recently started making a loud engine noise when I drive it or start the engine, even when I am idling. It sounds like a sports car. Usually it revs and idles quietly.  
  
  
  
 I took it to the dealer and they said I had a crack in the exhaust pipe. They said I would need a whole new exhaust pipe assembly and 2 exhaust gaskets.  
  
  
  
 I don’t know how big the crack is.  
  
  
  
 Do I really need a whole new exhaust pipe assembly? Is this something that can be repaired with a weld? What do you recommend and what experiences have you had with this?  
  
  
  
 What kind of cost would a repair be?

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**Author:** ![irlandes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5e925/32.png) [@irlandes](https://community.cartalk.com/u/irlandes)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 2:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-has-very-loud-engine-noise-exhaust-pipe-issue-muffler-issue/42929/2 "2010-01-21T02:13:59Z")

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Different people are going to jump different directions on problems like this. I am guessing an exhaust pipe on a Lexus is going to be expensive, right?

Yet, anything to do with the exhaust system can involve carbon monoxide entering the car, which is really ungood. I tend to jump the direction which says bit the bullet and fix the exhaust system correctly for your safety. Others may disagree.

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**Author:** ![70boss2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/7/aeb1de/32.png) [@70boss2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/70boss2)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 11:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-has-very-loud-engine-noise-exhaust-pipe-issue-muffler-issue/42929/3 "2010-03-25T23:14:36Z")

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I have an RX300 that had both studs break that hold the O2 sensor (under driver seat) to exhaust pipe. This leave a 1" “hole” that will make a bunch of noise. Easy to fix with 2 U-clamps, and some high temp gasket material. Dealer only wants to replace the cat. You’ll have to to find a local repair shop to do this.

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**Author:** ![missileman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/missileman/32/1366_2.png) [@missileman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/missileman)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 11:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-has-very-loud-engine-noise-exhaust-pipe-issue-muffler-issue/42929/4 "2010-03-25T23:56:49Z")

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There is a reason your pipe failed so just “patching” it will be a temporary fix at best. Get the exhaust system properly repaired. You and your passengers will be much safer in the wintertime when your windows are all closed. Carbon monoxide is a very bad thing.