So I Got An Oil Change.........

[jtom]

and a wheel alignment done at the local firestone. I didnt notice anything driving it home but I did when I just drove it now. At the stop light, I noticed that my exhaust sounded much more aggressive. However I assumed this was the cars around me so I let it go. It then happened again and I realized that for some reason my exhaust sounds very different. It is much more aggressive and has a much more deep throating sound. Nothing crazy but my exaust was very quiet to begin with so its a big change for me. I also noticed when I got home that my car was making very loud noises because it was cooling down. My car always did make these sounds but this was much more pronounced and different from the usual. While I like the exhaust tone I am not sure if this is really a good thing.

BTW, I have a stock 2003 Mazda Protege ES

Should I bring it back in? Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks

 

[carter1551]

I dont see how an oil change or alignment could in any way affect your exhaust. Are you sure your hearing is alright?

 

[mhrebin]

look under your car and look at the exhaust system. might have a hole in it somewhere. who knows. check for yourself before you start pointing fingers. just my opinion.

 

[grease_monkey]

I agree. Check under the car before taking it back. All cars creak during cool down. Thanks to thermodynamics and moisture. The exhaust is hot and the air is cold so the pipe is constantly expanding and contracting during cool down. However as to why it would sound different after a wheel alignment and oil change I have no idea. Unless all is not right in the kingdom lol. Check for yourself then take it back to the shop if you're still uncertain.

 

[tonybonekhang]

When we do our inspections at work we'll just grab different sections of the pipe and give it a little shake to see if anything's loose. In my opinion it could promote a pinhole if a section was rusted enough. Not like it wouldn't have happened anyway I'm just saying the shaking could speed up the process.

 

[grease_monkey]

That could have to do with causing problems. But i dont think that would do enough damage to complely change the exhaust tone

 

[jtom]

I am sure about the sound difference, I noticed it immediately. I dont see how an oil change would affect it but it all started immediately after going to firestone. The exhaust difference is only at higher rpms.

I will look under the car.......

 

[grease_monkey]

Good idea. if oyu can't find anything take it back.

 

[autoxes]

I realized that for some reason my exhaust sounds very different. It is much more aggressive and has a much more deep throating sound. Nothing crazy but my exaust was very quiet to begin with so its a big change for me.

Your car is going through puberty mate.(eekdance)

 

[ho bag]

LOL no one mentioned this yet....How long had it been since your oil was changed?

If you had crap oil in there that was super old and abused chaning the oil would deffently make a difference in the car, possible even the sound!

 

[grease_monkey]

LOL no one mentioned this yet....How long had it been since your oil was changed?

If you had crap oil in there that was super old and abused chaning the oil would deffently make a difference in the car, possible even the sound!

That makes sense

 

[jtom]

LOL no one mentioned this yet....How long had it been since your oil was changed?

If you had crap oil in there that was super old and abused chaning the oil would deffently make a difference in the car, possible even the sound!

The oil is changed every 3000 miles as recommended.

 

[grease_monkey]

The oil is changed every 3000 miles as recommended.

Hmmm somewhere during the time at that firestone something either unintentional or on purpose happened...

 

[P-Funk!]

I would suspect they damaged the exhaust when they put it on the lift. Take it back and explain what is going on. Be Polite. Be Persistant.

 

[grease_monkey]

I would suspect they damaged the exhaust when they put it on the lift. Take it back and explain what is going on. Be Polite. Be Persistant.

That's probably it...the only main thing that could cause the exhaust to sound that much different would be some kind of hole and somehow the exhaust is acting like a glasspack muffler since its only loud at high rpm

 

[jtom]

The odd thing also is that the cap to the coolant container is missing. They told me about it when I was about to leave. I think they removed it because they wanted to do alot of stuff to my car- new air filter etc, stuff I didnt need. Now I have to go to the mazda dealership to find a replacement (pissed). I dont think these caps just fall off on their own.

I think theres either a hole or one of the bolts loosened on the exhaust. They also put my car on a lift for the wheel alignment so I think theres a good chance part of the exhaust was punctured. I will just let it go for now but if the exhaust gets worse I will take it back in.

I also want to stress that the sound difference is not extremely different but I noticed the difference immediately. I actually like the sound of this better but I think its a result of something not so good.

If the exhaust was punctured wouldnt one of the lights on my dash light up? Since I am going to the dealership, should I ask them about the exhaust? I have an 03 with 56k miles so I dont think I am under warranty anymore.

Thanks

 

[grease_monkey]

The odd thing also is that the cap to the coolant container is missing. They told me about it when I was about to leave. I think they removed it because they wanted to do alot of stuff to my car- new air filter etc, stuff I didnt need. Now I have to go to the mazda dealership to find a replacement (pissed). I dont think these caps just fall off on their own.

I think theres either a hole or one of the bolts loosened on the exhaust. They also put my car on a lift for the wheel alignment so I think theres a good chance part of the exhaust was punctured. I will just let it go for now but if the exhaust gets worse I will take it back in.

I also want to stress that the sound difference is not extremely different but I noticed the difference immediately. I actually like the sound of this better but I think its a result of something not so good.

If the exhaust was punctured wouldnt one of the lights on my dash light up? Since I am going to the dealership, should I ask them about the exhaust? I have an 03 with 56k miles so I dont think I am under warranty anymore.

Thanks

Get a new replacement cap ASAP the cooling system works off of pressure...if the radiator has an open hole in it that could result in serious engine damage...as of the lights on the dash, there shouldn't be. There is no real way to put a sensor to check if a steel pipe has a hole or not.

 

[jtom]

Get a new replacement cap ASAP the cooling system works off of pressure...if the radiator has an open hole in it that could result in serious engine damage...as of the lights on the dash, there shouldn't be. There is no real way to put a sensor to check if a steel pipe has a hole or not.

I ordered one and he said it would be a few days, I will not try to drive it much if at all until then.

 

[ForceFed]

Is it the radiator Cap..Or the Resevoir cap?
If its the resevoir..you're OK to drive on it like that..If its a Radiator cap..you would know right away as your car overheated from lost coolant.

 

[P-Funk!]

The longer you wait to return for the exhaust the easier it is to deny that they caused the damage. Shiny metal and a break says it was reecent. A rusty hole says you are a weasel trying to rip them off...