Exhaust Noises Options

[Athrun88]

Not sure how many people check here anymore but I'll give it a shot.

For the past few months, my 09 Lancer has been giving off a nasty noise on acceleration. Almost sounds similar to a 2-stroke engine on a lawnmower. You can hear the distinct sound of the pistons working (Putt putt putt like sound).

I have gone under and checked the exhaust tubing and didn't find anything. The noise does not occur on idle or in neutral. It has only happened during acceleration. Getting rather annoying now as it sounds like I have a broken car now. Would like to bounce some ideas as I don't have too much extra cash to throw at getting a new exhaust on a whim. Thanks in advance.

[SRSONE]

cracked manifold maybe?

and you might still be under warranty for that... dont forget to double check

[Athrun88]

Thanks for the reply. Read up on your diagnosis and it sounds like it's it. Did a search and everyone else's symptoms sound the same or similar to what I have. Any recommendations? Possible to do it on my own if I had a lift and tools? I haven't done any searching on getting parts yet; but if you could give me a ballpark idea, that would be great.

I don't think i'm in warranty anymore. I have racked 175,000km on the car and the new car warranty in canada for the lancer goes up to 160,000. Is there another, deeper, warranty that I'm not aware of? Thanks again in advance.

[SRSONE]

dont know about canadian warranties..but if you are over 100,000 miles...i dont think you have any left either...unless you bought any kind of aftermarket or extended warranty...

but a manifold could possibly be welded...you should be able to take the cover off and find it...but being up in canada..its probably rusted to hell and gone...

replacing it may be another matter ..it has a warm up cat built into it iirc...new would probably be a couple of hundred dollars(US)

[Abb]

Could it be just a spark plug?. I know if you hear putting, it could definitely be a spark plug too. But only under acceleration sounds like pressure being built and like you already figured, manifold?

[Athrun88]

I haven't taken the cover off yet. She's cooling off as we speak on ramps so I can take a peek. I thought of plugs as well, and will check them as well while she's cool. Would either of you have some instruction on properly taking off the cover off the manifold? I see 5 or so bolts (rusted to hell) but not sure if there's anything else. Thanks again!

[Athrun88]

Been doing alittle more research. She's still cooling so I have some time =p.

Is it possible that, given the amount of mileage and weather conditions, the gasket has been worn through? I am hoping and praying that the manifold (if it is) is not damaged and it's just the gasket that needs replacing. That would be a much cheaper problem I'm sure.

Others who have similar symptoms have mentioned this so I thought i'd ask. I'm technical, but not as familiar as I'd want to be with the intimate workings of an engine.

[Athrun88]

Big triple post.

If anyone stumbled onto this thread in the future, I found the solution!

I realize it has been a long while since i've lived with this problem. Finally got someone to look at it and it turned out to be a blown donut gasket! Apparently (I wasn't there, girlfriend took the car in because I had work) there was a hole the size of two thumbs. Replaced it and 40$ later, car is running smooth again.

[Abb]

lol good stuff. glad you figured it out