[TJR]

Subjective question here:

I test drove (and purchased) a used 2003 EX last Saturday. I commented to the dealership that I thought the exhaust sounded a but loud on acceleration and would like to have it looked at. It had a bit of a loud growl to it, though It seemed fine at highway speed.
The dealer called back today to say the car was ready to be picked up, but the techs could not find anything wrong w/ the exhaust.

So.. Is this a typical trait of the vehicle? I need to ride in my buddies '03 to compare..

Thanks... TJR

 

[ramblerdan]

A drive in another Element (w/same tranny) is the best answer you'll get.

 

[Jackson49]

Subjective question here:

I test drove (and purchased) a used 2003 EX last Saturday. I commented to the dealership that I thought the exhaust sounded a but loud on acceleration and would like to have it looked at. It had a bit of a loud growl to it, though It seemed fine at highway speed.
The dealer called back today to say the car was ready to be picked up, but the techs could not find anything wrong w/ the exhaust.

So.. Is this a typical trait of the vehicle? I need to ride in my buddies '03 to compare..

Thanks... TJR

Does it have an OEM or aftermarket exhaust system on it? It may have one of those low restriction systems on it that are a bit louder than the stock exhaust.

 

[ORANGEE]

Does it have an OEM or aftermarket exhaust system on it? It may have one of those low restriction systems on it that are a bit louder than the stock exhaust.

What he said

I've had mine for 6 years now so maybe I don't notice
otherwise, if the E is in good shape and it drove well otherwise, come join the club !!!!!

 

[TJR]

Does it have an OEM or aftermarket exhaust system on it? It may have one of those low restriction systems on it that are a bit louder than the stock exhaust.

I picked it up last night. The dealer said they checked it out and that's the normal sound for a 4 cyl. ??? and quoted according to edmonds.com.. that is one of the owner complaints for theis vehicle...I'm not asking for it to be a noise free cabin like a BMW or Lincoln...but what I hear seems out of the ordinary.

They also blew off the brake pulse I felt when test driving it as "rust " on the rotors.

The car has 70K on it. seems to be the OEM setup...

Well driving home 45 miles the noise is stil lthere upon accel. and the brakes still have a faint pulse. mostly noticable at light pressure low speed.

As for the exhaust noise.. It seems to me to be like an exhaust pipe rattle against the body.. I can't find it though. I even climbed under the car on ramps with it running. "Could it be from the transmission", Ive even wondered. At ide it doesn,t make it. at one point it thought it came and went when going through road bumps...

I'm calling the ealer back to have it looked at again.. I really like the car and want to get started enjoying it, but this is a set back.

I took a ride in my buddies '03 yesterday.. His didnlt seem to have the louder than expected acceleration noise. just what I would expect for the type of vehicle. The search continues. ...Talbot

 

[ramblerdan]

Did you buy from a Honda dealer? If so don't they have other Elements on the lot?

 

[jurneez]

As for the exhaust noise.. It seems to me to be like an exhaust pipe rattle against the body.. I can't find it though. I even climbed under the car on ramps with it running. "Could it be from the transmission", Ive even wondered. At ide it doesn,t make it. at one point it thought it came and went when going through road bumps...

\
I've notice this sound on mine for the last 2 weeks, Sounds like a rattle to me, not so much an engine problem. Maybe even sounds like a heat shield rattle....as mine was hit once by a boxspring (wood included) I had to drive over and crush, as there was no where to swerve a round due to on coming traffic, in both lanes.
I've got to look at it.
pm if you get results or answers...I'm not online much these days.

jurn

 

[marvin the marshen]

my tail pipe ratles a bit (07 EX) when she idles, it's not a constant ratle but its been their since I bought it new, it goes away as soon as I slightly touch the accelerator. My exhaust in not loud at all, but their is some cabin wind noise. I hope it's a simple fix for you and Good luck..
(BTW if you put you'r foot on the tail pipe the rattle goes away, atleast on ming it did.)

 

[SparkyOne]

My 2003 exhaust

My 2003 does not have any louder exhaust at any speed.
I have had it for 2 years.

louder noise might be a exhaust leak ,or a problem with the inards of the exhaust system.
All the Best

 

[TJR]

Did you buy from a Honda dealer? If so don't they have other Elements on the lot?

No.. A Ford dealer that got it as a trade for a larger SUV.

http://www.yankeeford.com/maine_used_cars_and_used_trucks.html?vin=5J6YH28563L043438

The local honda dealer ony had brand new ones and an '08 w/ 50K miles for $19,000 which was out of my range.

I called them about it again today.. I'll see what they offer to do.

I've worked on my own cars for years and usually can shake out an exhaust rattle.. I'll have to take a harder look and see what I can find.

 

[TJR]

Now I'm wondering if it isn't a motor mount allowing some engine vibration to make it intot eh chassis.

I started the car to let it warm up and defrost the windows.. jumped in a few minutes later,put it in reverse (foot still on the brake) and the noise appeared. Putting it back into N and it went away..hmmm.

 

[ramblerdan]

In that case, this may be of interest:

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?p=814915

 

[breese524]

Not sure where to put this bit of information but here seems good enough. Of the 4 mounts in the engine bay, it looks like 3 are connected directly to the transmission. The setup seems to be a mirror image of my wife's Civic on which I just replaced the three transmission mounts.

 

[TJR]

In that case, this may be of interest:

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?p=814915

I'll be checking those mounts out ASAP.. Once my wife brings the cool new car home. I'm so glad to have this resource

 

[TJR]

I finally had some daylight to poke around under the hood to see if I could isolate the "rub" or rattle before I bring the car back into the dealer.

here is one problem I found that could explain some of the accel and reverse drive rattle.


http://picasaweb.google.com/88seriesiii/2003ElementEX#


It also looks like this the drivers side mount has possibly shifted too?


Now if I could isolate the clunk clunk in the rear susp.
I also think I need a left front wheel Brg.. There's a low drone growl and can hear some brake rub when turning right.
Full album here...
http://picasaweb.google.com/88seriesiii/2003ElementEX?authkey=Gv1sRgCMSCnOPdr7eOAg#

Now if I could isolate the clunk clunk in the rear susp.
I also think I need a left front wheel Brg.. There's a low drone growl and can hear some brake rub when turning right.

 

[erikz]

I've had a similar exhaust rattle that was adjusted at the Honda dealer....sometimes it comes back either due to the weather or the exhaust hangers shifting around in the rubber supports causing it to rattle against the exhaust shield. I would say that it was a minor annoyance and probably needs a readjustment again. Did you ever find out why the exhaust sounded louder to you?