Can a resonator go bad internally?

[JC-MP5]

So... the past couple of weeks my car's exhaust (I believe) has been making a horrible vibrating grinding metal noise. It sounds like it comes from the bottom of the car. It only does this when the car has been warmed up and driving for at least 10 minutes at normal driving temps. If I decelerate while in gear or rev it will make this nasty metal bee's in a can noise at around 2500 and 1500 rpm. But as soon as I stop and pop the hood to check for loose things and it sits for a minute, it wont make the noise. I've pinpointed it to the resonator area in my exhaust.

There is nothing for the exhaust to rub on. Anywhere.

Anybody got ideas what the problem is? Could my resonator have internal problems? Gone bad?

I've tried everything possible to get rid of this noise. Its embarrassing and starting to piss me off. Help me out guys!

 

[ganzhimself]

Not sure, I know that over time they can (and do) rust through. Since you're in FL, I doubt that's the case. I don't know that there's really anything in them to actually break. If they're chambered I suppose it's possible something inside came loose and rattles around now. Could be a loose heat sheild or something... I know I had that problem on my last car, there was a loose heat shield in the exhaust and made that metal rattling sound. I just broke it off and the sound went away. I suppose a few well placed welds would have taken care of that problem too.

 

[slavrenz]

First, check your heat shields to make sure nothing's loose. How many miles are on your car, and have you had any other exhaust issues lately, such as a catalytic converter failure?

You live right on the coast, and it's possible that over time the sea air has corroded your resonator internally. Basically, it's just a second muffler, so what I would do is replace both your resonator and your muffler. If you're looking to stay OEM, go to RockAuto.com - they have Walker exhaust direct fit mufflers and resonators for the P5 that are of very high quality. Otherwise, there are a lot of nice aftermarket catback exhaust solutions for your car - just ask around on this forum.

 

[m626gt]

I think it is possible I picked a Greddy catback that had rusted the muffler internals so when I turn it over a whole bunch of rusted metal flakes came out.

 

[808MP5]

Check for a loose vics screw in ur exhuast Jk

yes the resonator can go bad. Well I had a cherry bomb resonator and the packing inside was toasted.

 

[JC-MP5]

All my heat shielding is gone or bent away so that's out. It's what I'm assuming to be a Magnaflow resonator, as its on a Magnaflow cat-back and doesn't have a name on the side. Essentially this one...

Obviously not a Protege exhaust lol.

 

[METROLSI]

Try to get under the car and bang it with something till you find were the noise is coming from................

 

[blkspdfreak]

they eventually burn out and give off a rotten egg smell.....mine did anyway.

 

[JC-MP5]

Well. Its a good thing 2.25" exhaust piping is cheap. I was planning on having a new mid-pipe with a flex section fab'd up. I guess now I'll either buy another resonator and have it welded in or just straight pipe it. I'm just not sure how straight pipe will sound with a header and just a muffler out back....

 

[drgnzadiel101]

well something like this happened on my sentra. ended up being a pipe was fab'd too close the the rear beam and was rubbing. when in idle there was no rubbing or noises. visually it didnt look like anything was rubbing. i just noticed that the metal was peeling(best word i can think of at the moment) on athe pipe. took it to a shop and they added an extra hanger and it didnt do it again.

 

[ganzhimself]

I would recommend against running without a resonator. The interior drone is horrible @ highway speeds, I do have a craptastic aftermarket fart cannon muffler on my P5, but without a resonator things get loud and annoying. It really doesn't affect the exterior tone, but it makes a world of difference inside the cabin.

 

[JC-MP5]

Interior's going bye bye soon anyway.

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

It sounds like a cat going bad to me. I had a friend who lost the cat on his S10, and it exhibted the same symptoms.

 

[JC-MP5]

Hrmmm. I am running the stock midpipe between a header and a catback exhaust. Maybe the stock cat did finally give out from all the (drive2)

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

...a great excuse for a new hi-flow catted or catless midpipe!

 

[JC-MP5]

I already have a 2.75 inch catted one from ProtegeGarage. With both a header and the cat back it was buzzy. The diameter is too big for my N/A ventures. Its actually faster with the smaller diameter stocker. The Magnaflow is only 2.25 inch.

I want to have a 2.25 inch midpipe custom made with a flex section to match the Magnaflow.

 

[drgnzadiel101]

I already have a 2.75 inch catted one from ProtegeGarage. With both a header and the cat back it was buzzy. The diameter is too big for my N/A ventures. Its actually faster with the smaller diameter stocker. The Magnaflow is only 2.25 inch.

I want to have a 2.25 inch midpipe custom made with a flex section to match the Magnaflow.

yea that IS fairly big for this small n/a 2.0. shoot, i wouldnt even put that on my old h22. 2.25 is perfect

 

[JC-MP5]

Mhm. That's why I'm gona have the new midpipe made. I was even considering 2 inch, but 2.25 is best I think.