Exhaust gurgle starting, advice?

[M3Nick]

Hi guys,

Last week I started to notice a little bit of an exhaust gurgle, like as if I had some cheap "performance" exhaust.

Today it was noticeably worse when I got the car up in the 2.5k RPM+ in first, and 2.5-3.5k+ in 2nd.

I had the feeling this was going to happen around now so I started putting some coin away for the repair... but now that I've been hanging around the boards, I've started looking at exhausts... and ... well you know how it goes.

So! I first need to figure out exactly whats wrong with it, then decide ... repair or new toy.

Any advice? I know a new one will run me _around_ $700 plus install. If the repair costs more than $350 ... then why not get a new one if I was thinking about it anyway. I've never really dealt with this sort of issue before so I'm not sure how long I can wait before getting it repaired, etc.

Input is much appreciated.

Thanks!

[Donutz]

Is this a stock exhaust? I'd take it to Street Performance for an inspection. If it's a bad weld Jimmy might be able to fix it.

[M3Nick]

Yep, 100% stock, and that's what I was thinking... I'm probably headed there in the near future to get some springs installed.

Will keep you updated.

[chinsterr]

Last week I started to notice a little bit of an exhaust gurgle, like as if I had some cheap "performance" exhaust.



ouch.

[Unoriginalusername]

OEM MS3 exhausts go for 200-300 on the FS section here for the complete cbe FYI

[M3Nick]

OEM MS3 exhausts go for 200-300 on the FS section here for the complete cbe FYI

I'll be watching it closely :D

Thanks for the tip!

[3GFX]

How many kms? Are you sure its not time for some new plugs?

It's most likely a leak somewhere, have it checked.

[M3Nick]

How many kms? Are you sure its not time for some new plugs?

It's most likely a leak somewhere, have it checked.

96k now... time for my reg maintenance I believe.

[3GFX]

Hmm I'm starting to notice gurgle at low RPMs almost like a slightly noticable backfire. I'm approaching 90K KMs and I'm wondering if its time to change the plugs for a more efficient burn (reduce backfire). Now I'm not sure if this would be the cause, and I'm in no rush because I don't have a rough idle, and gas milage hasn't changed. Seldom that I hear the noise, and it may not be what you're describing, because it sounds brawny and beefy to me :)

[M3Nick]

Yeah - I get a rough idle, noticing slightly less mileage (though this might be in my head because of gas prices :P). 120k KM is when the manual recommends plug changes... hm.

It probably sounds brawny and beefy to you, because you have a MS3 CBE lol... I'm stock. But seriously, when I first started to hear it when it was bad, my GF asked me if I put an exhaust on my car, and then told me it sounded terribad, lol...

[Cousin Dave]

I've noticed the same problem with my 2.3, but it is really bad because I have a vibrant exhaust. At stoplights it seems to idle really low (around 600-700 rpm) and I get some loud pops when I accelerate.

I'll be getting my plugs changed next week sometime.

[dentinger]

like backfire??
cuz i get that all the time, but header/magnaflow catback, and no resonator.

[Donutz]

^^ Yeah, mine pop's and gurgles too. I figured it was normal. I get the pop when pressure builds up in the exhaust under engine braking (like when cruising into a red light) and I tap the accelerator. No header for me though; just a mazdaspeed accessory exhaust on my hb.

[dentinger]

i should probably check it out one day, cuz my car idles like a bag of shit when i first start it up.