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Heat problem with my left side muffler


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cubeus19
User

Jul 1, 2012, 8:41 PM

Post #1 of 26 (3643 views)
post icon Heat problem with my left side muffler Sign In

Hello everyone. The car I'm having problems with is a 2003 Pontiac Sunfire.

It has dual exhaust pipes as well as mufflers. And last night as I was unloading things out of the trunk my hand touched the floor or carpet area of the trunk and it felt pretty warm.

So I lifted the cover off that leads to my spare tire where it is bare painted metal all around and it felt very very hot.

So after I waited awhile for the car to cool down I felt around the exhaust system and everything felt cool except the left side muffler.

Now some things I did do to the car right before I noticed this problem and I'm wondering if they could have caused it.

The first thing I did about three days ago was I went over the exhaust pipes, muffler and so on with some steel wool and some metal polish to help remove some rust.

That and I also added some fuel system cleaner to my gas tank right before I filled up to clean out any gunk that might have collected over the winter because I didn't do alot of driving during the winter.

So do any of you all think any of those things could have caused the problem with the left side muffler getting too hot?

If so what do you think it could be? Anything I can do to unclog it if it's unclogged?

It don't appear to be since when I run the car I felt just past the left side exhaust pipe and I could feel air blowing out of it.

Any help with this will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jul 2, 2012, 1:26 AM

Post #2 of 26 (3608 views)
Re: Heat problem with my left side muffler Sign In

Is this an OE design or custom work? Dual everything including converters?

T



cubeus19
User

Jul 2, 2012, 11:06 AM

Post #3 of 26 (3585 views)
Re: Heat problem with my left side muffler Sign In


In Reply To
Is this an OE design or custom work? Dual everything including converters?

T


Yes it is OE design.


(This post was edited by cubeus19 on Jul 2, 2012, 11:06 AM)


Tom Greenleaf
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Jul 2, 2012, 12:25 PM

Post #4 of 26 (3570 views)
Re: Heat problem with my left side muffler Sign In

Enlighten me as I can't find anything dual for this car that is "Original Equipment" for exhaust?

Just a muffler (one) with a split tail pipe attached like this if it shows.......



Unless custom work then what? If a 4 cyl had true duals they still should share some sort of "H" pipe which balances both back pressure and cancels funny sounding exhaust.

If custom then you have to explain if two converters or one with two outlets or what. Heat picking on one side doesn't make sense to me yet and if the body and parts are not properly heat shielded it could be a problem to outright dangerous?

T



Hammer Time
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Jul 2, 2012, 12:32 PM

Post #5 of 26 (3564 views)
Re: Heat problem with my left side muffler Sign In

4 cylinder? dual exhaust? not hardly.



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Tom Greenleaf
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Jul 2, 2012, 12:37 PM

Post #6 of 26 (3559 views)
Re: Heat problem with my left side muffler Sign In

Hitting at same time as we do HT. I couldn't find anything but a 4 cyl and only exhaust difference was California for a single converter,

Tom



Hammer Time
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Jul 2, 2012, 1:04 PM

Post #7 of 26 (3552 views)
Re: Heat problem with my left side muffler Sign In

You can't have a dual system with only one head to start from.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Hammer Time
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Jul 2, 2012, 1:11 PM

Post #8 of 26 (3549 views)
Re: Heat problem with my left side muffler Sign In

I just looked at the system. Single pipe all the back to that muffler.







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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Jul 2, 2012, 1:13 PM)


cubeus19
User

Jul 2, 2012, 1:55 PM

Post #9 of 26 (3541 views)
Re: Heat problem with my left side muffler Sign In

Let's see as far as I know it's not a custom job. Is there a way I can post pictures here? If so I'll post a couple of photos of the back of the car and that might help.


cubeus19
User

Jul 2, 2012, 1:58 PM

Post #10 of 26 (3535 views)
Re: Heat problem with my left side muffler Sign In

If I'm allowed to post links, here is one I found while doing a image search. Mine looks something close to what this one does.

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/4/418/4061/38544530029_large.jpg


Hammer Time
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Jul 2, 2012, 1:59 PM

Post #11 of 26 (3532 views)
Re: Heat problem with my left side muffler Sign In

You have to upload them to a hosting site like Photobucket or Image shack and they supply an image link.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



cubeus19
User

Jul 2, 2012, 6:11 PM

Post #12 of 26 (3518 views)
Re: Heat problem with my left side muffler Sign In

http://s1168.photobucket.com/albums/r486/cubeus19/


Hammer Time
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Jul 2, 2012, 6:20 PM

Post #13 of 26 (3514 views)
Re: Heat problem with my left side muffler Sign In

I don't know what you are driving there because the picture I posted is the only one listed in the exhaust parts catalog for that year and model.



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Discretesignals
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Jul 2, 2012, 6:30 PM

Post #14 of 26 (3508 views)
Re: Heat problem with my left side muffler Sign In

The left side muffler doesn't have a heat shield. It's close enough to the floor board to transfer heat off into the trunk.







Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Jul 2, 2012, 6:31 PM)


cubeus19
User

Jul 2, 2012, 6:41 PM

Post #15 of 26 (3499 views)
Re: Heat problem with my left side muffler Sign In

In my original post I thought I said what year and model my car was. It's a 2003 Pontiac Sunfire.


Hammer Time
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Jul 2, 2012, 6:44 PM

Post #16 of 26 (3495 views)
Re: Heat problem with my left side muffler Sign In

Yes, I'm aware of that but it doesn't match up with the system that car was made with.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



cubeus19
User

Jul 2, 2012, 6:52 PM

Post #17 of 26 (3491 views)
Re: Heat problem with my left side muffler Sign In

A correction on that, that picture if towards the right side of my car, and that is the right side muffler.

I just looked on the left side and I think I do have some type of heat shield over it.

I may no longer work like it needs to. Here is the photo of my left side muffler.

http://s1168.photobucket.com/albums/r486/cubeus19/?action=view&current=_MG_1508.jpg


cubeus19
User

Jul 2, 2012, 6:53 PM

Post #18 of 26 (3488 views)
Re: Heat problem with my left side muffler Sign In

Hmm, interesting, it may be some type of special/custom car and the dealer that sold it to me forgot to mention it.


Discretesignals
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Jul 2, 2012, 7:08 PM

Post #19 of 26 (3481 views)
Re: Heat problem with my left side muffler Sign In

That vehicle does come with dual exhaust as an factory option. Probably on the GT models. Guess the aftermarket doesn't show it. There is a heat shield that is supposed to be riveted above the muffler on the right side.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Jul 2, 2012, 7:09 PM)


Hammer Time
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Jul 2, 2012, 7:13 PM

Post #20 of 26 (3474 views)
Re: Heat problem with my left side muffler Sign In

The only engine available for that car in that year was the 2.2 so I really doubt they had a GT option for it.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Discretesignals
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Jul 2, 2012, 7:17 PM

Post #21 of 26 (3467 views)
Re: Heat problem with my left side muffler Sign In

The RPO code is N10 for dual exhaust on that year. I have a dealer IPB of it but can't figure out how to extract it from flash.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


Hammer Time
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Jul 2, 2012, 7:22 PM

Post #22 of 26 (3459 views)
Re: Heat problem with my left side muffler Sign In

That may be the RPO code for dual exhaust but that doesn't mean it was an option on that vehicle. I don't see a 2.2 with dual exhaust and Walker sells no replacement part for one.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Discretesignals
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Jul 2, 2012, 7:33 PM

Post #23 of 26 (3452 views)
Re: Heat problem with my left side muffler Sign In







Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


cubeus19
User

Jul 2, 2012, 10:35 PM

Post #24 of 26 (3434 views)
Re: Heat problem with my left side muffler Sign In

Let's see as far as I know right now, I'm starting to think I may need a new heat shield around my left side muffler and possibly get one added on the right side as well. But I was wondering how do you put one on? Is that something I can do myself? If not how much does it usually cost to get one put on? Thanks.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jul 3, 2012, 2:29 AM

Post #25 of 26 (3427 views)
Re: Heat problem with my left side muffler Sign In

This is becoming a mind warp. Pic on post #14 and part layout of Post #24 show NO heat shield on this set up for that muffler and by pic on post #14 if even a generic heat shield (available from Walker or Maremont) that I've had in my hands wouldn't fit without rattling against that spare tire well anyway.

Note - This isn't dual exhaust but rather dual mufflers. IMO and not surprised if this was engineered by GM I hope that engineer isn't working for GM anymore!

About every car maker has made mistakes and I think this is one of them. Perhaps a high end custom exhaust place could find or make up something to shield the heat??

T







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