draco

My RX330 has been a little bit noisey particularly when accelerating. Sound on acceleration is a lot more than when I first got it. I have written a previous thread regarding the knocking on my exhaust when going over bumps which is related to the rubber hook on the exhaust starting to perish. While I was under the car I noticed the following.

The muffler where it connects to the rest of the system seems to twist. Looking at the first picture, this is the way you would expect it to sit. On the second picture, if you can notice it, where the bolt on the right sits there is a gap that opens up slightly. Also you will notice in the centre there is more white. I can literally do a 1/4 twist of my hand and it will move (and it changes the orientation of the muffler a bit as well).





Has anyone ever come across this with the stock exhaust? I tried tightening it with a socket but those things are on there tight. I think this may be the cause of my throathiness when accelerating, cause I am under the assumption that those 2 joins should be flush and not allow any movement between the 2 pieces (i.e. twisting). This might also explain the difference in my fuel economy recently..............hmmmmmmm...............

salimshah

There are more joints and even a flex pipe. The visual gap on this flange is ok. Find out where the leak is.

Salim

vg1134

if the joint moves when you are applying pressure as you mentioned, then this would be part of your problem. the joint is not suppose to move at all at stand still. the PIPE is suppose to flex to allow movement while you are driving, but not when you can do it with your hands.
there is an o-ring in that joint if I remember(could be wrong) which might have worn out.