Honda Odyssey exhaust leak?

It was only a few weeks ago that my 1995 Honda Odyssey received a major
service. My wife fired the van up this morning and I could immediately hear
something different. It has a rhythmic muffled pulsing noise, that almost
sounded like a knock, but is not hard or metallic enough. The noise is tied
to engine rpm, and does not change in intensity when in drive or neutral.
The one thing that is apparent is that it becomes less loud within a few
minutes of the engine starting from cold. As an aside, the previous service
replaced a broken engine mount. I wonder if the exhaust manifold is cracked
or if there is a leak between the manifold and pipe. Any idea if this may
be an exhaust leak, and if so, what are the most common sources.

After all the money I have put into this thing, just weeks ago, I feel like
I need to keep it a while, but this Honda is proving increasingly unreliable
to the point where things are breaking every few months.

- Phil

 

Hi Phil,

1. it is normal for an exhaust leak noise to reduce in intensity as the
pipes and fittings warm up. The dilation of the heated metal parts will seal
the tiny leak holes. Still, time to replace the faulty parts.

2- no matter what make, any 8-9 year old vehicule will require frequent
repairs. Every few months is normal. Consider changing the vehicule for a
younger one if :

a- the last rolling 12 months cost of repairs exceeds $1000 to $1500,
or
b- the cost for the next 12 months to come is expected to exceed the same
figure;
or
c- you get stranded to the point you are fed up!

I did a big mistake hanging on a 9 year old 1992 Caravan, cause I had spent
a few bucks in the last couple of months, and wanted to " benefit" from
those expenses. My stubborness ended up costing me a new tranny, alternator,
battery, radiator, gas tank, brake lines, brake drums, door hinges, couple
wheel bearings, engine mounts, brakes and calipers, car rental while being
tranny serviced, etc. All this in a 12 month span. Ended up paying twice as
much in repairs as the market value of the car, not considering being at
the garage every month. GNAHHHH! Completely absurd. Still biting my teeth.

Daniel

owned 13 cars in the last 25 years, from brand new to 14 year old cars...

 

----------------------
Phil,

A cracked exhaust manifold on the Ody could be caused by a careless
mechanic. Does it make a loud roar when you punch the gas, before engine
is warmed up? The manifold is terribly expensive......

'Curly'
----------------------------

 

I suggest that you have your wife set behind the steering wheel. Place the
emergency brake on. Have your wife start the car. Crawl under it and see
if you can figure out where the sound is coming from. Some drug stores
sell cheap stetescopes (spelling??) which is a device that doctors use to
listen to your heart. You should buy one if you think it will help you
identify the source of the sound. I suspect the mechanic might have
accidently poked a hole.