TragicallyHip

A few days ago I had noticed a small rattling noise coming from under the car. I was unsure what exactly was causing this, but i've come to the realization that there is debris sliding and rattling around inside of my muffler (You can hear it sliding around when you slow down or turn and you can hear it rattling when giving it a bit of throttle.) You can give the exhaust tips a little tap and hear it all rattling around within the muffler as well...

I removed my catalytic converter yesterday in favor of a mid-pipe... I expected SOME kind of issues with the cat since I just hit 100,000kms, but in my case the cat was completely empty.

I'm guessing the rattling from within my muffler is left-over debris from my cat, but I guess my biggest question would be... Is it possible to remove the muffler and try and flush out the debris in some way, or am I pretty much looking at replacing it?

suz6964

I'm having the same sound coming from the back of the car Mazda service tech just charged me $550 Aus to change the engine mount, but the sound is still rattling, did you fix this? if so how? I have to take this back to the tech and blow him up. could it be the age? mine is an 2004

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

I was going to say the cat sounds like it's toast but you already determined that.
You should be able to remove the muffler and shake it around to get those small pieces of ceramic out. I would imagine they'll fall out with enough effort.

Razz1

Yes, you can remove the muffler and try to remove it.

you may or may not succeed.

Only sure way is to cut it open, clean and re-weld.

Weigh that cost against new Racing Beat muffler.

TragicallyHip

suz6964: Haven't had it looked at as of yet, but hopefully before the weekend.

Razz1: My dad had the same solution as yourself. If it cannot be shook out, it could probably be cut and then re-welded. I've been looking into some aftermarket mufflers either way, but funds are a little tight right now lol. Racing Beat, Borla, Mazdaspeed are my front-runners and surprisingly I like the sound of the GReddy SE as well.

NACer4lyf

iTrader: (1)

what about the heat shield? mine rattles to when idleing or at a red light sometimes but its just the muffler against the heat sheild. i could fix it but im too lazy lol

toneskii707

Ehh just get a new exhaust. My agency power midpipe front reasonator is ratteling and it melted too

suz6964

Hey thanks! yep the cat is toast and will need to be replaced soon - more cash.... but yes Mazda tech was able to take off and shake out all the boken off ceramic and I had a lot - looked like a heap of grey stones. They are out now and no sound anymore

UserrName

I say new muffler. Borla would give the throatiest I would assume. Depends on the sound you're looking for. Above 4k rpm with just a mid-pipe and stock cat-back makes it sound ehh, well you all know.

TragicallyHip

Do you mean he was able to shake the ceramic out of your muffler, or just out of your cat? I hope you mean muffler so I have some hope lol

@ UserrName... Haha, I absolutely LOVE how mean it sounds at idle when I first start the car and it's cold but 4-5k rpm is definitely too raspy for my liking. Anything above that and the intake drowns out pretty much any noise the stock exhaust is making so thats not too bad, but 4-5k is pretty much cruising RPM lol

I got a good quote for the Mazdaspeed exhaust and a not-so-good quote for the Borla, so when I have some extra cash laying around i'll probably go Mazdaspeed.

UserrName

ahah, well gl with your choice and hopefully it sounds good. I've heard different 8's with the same exhaust system and they all differ somewhat, so just hope you get the good end. haha