North American Motoring - R50/R53 Exhaust leak!? 2006 JCW SIGNIFICANTLY louder/"ricey'er"

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Exhaust leak!? 2006 JCW SIGNIFICANTLY louder/"ricey'er"

Could use some help here:

I have a 2006 MCS (JCW) with ~23k miles on it. A couple weeks ago I had new tires put on at a reputable SoCal shop along w/ an alignment.

Coincidentally when I picked the car up it was significantly louder than it has always been w/ the stock JCW exhaust. I called the shop to ask if anything was perhaps loosened and then not tightened, they mentioned it wasn't (what I figured just getting an alignment done).

The only description I can make is that the car w/ the stock JCW exhaust was throaty under throttle and had the standard pop around 3k rpm when letting off, however it didn't at all call attention to itself in a parking garage or parking lot driving normally looking for a space to park.

I now have a car that is SIGNIFICANTLY (2x+) louder. Likely had nothing to do w/ the tires except timing, but do you guys think I have an exhaust leak and would it be worth tightening bolts on the exhaust system before taking it in to the dealer? (still under warranty, but a pain).

Anyone else ever experienced this? it's like I stuck a crappy sounding muffler on my great car I love!

Help!

Thanks

why don't you back it up onto ramps and check the torque on the
pipe? :confused: :)

I recently had a customer that had a JCW exhaust crack and leak at the center mounts. Maybe this is what has happened to your car. I've seen about 50 05-06 cars with stock exhaust leaking at the welds on ther rear mufflers.

Well that sucks. None of it is covered by warranty?

i also have a 2006 JCW, had the same problem, leak at the center mounts, covered by warranty...dont worry

Crackerjack/Miniguru- thanks, hope this is it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MINIGURU@WAY MOTOR WORKS (Post 1931770)

I recently had a customer that had a JCW exhaust crack and leak at the center mounts. Maybe this is what has happened to your car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackerjack (Post 1931838)

i also have a 2006 JCW, had the same problem, leak at the center mounts, covered by warranty...dont worry

We have had two JCWs in the shop for the same thing as mentioned above. The whole resonator assembly was replaced right up to where it slips in the muffler section.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MINIGURU@WAY MOTOR WORKS (Post 1931770)

I've seen about 50 05-06 cars with stock exhaust leaking at the welds on ther rear mufflers.

THat would be me as well. :lol: In the dead of the night, my wife, and everyone else, can hear me coming down the block, despite keeping the rpms around 2k. I was wondering why folks would turn, esp Police officers, and stare at the wee car making a low rumbling staccato. I thought the stock exhaust was breathing better after 40k miles or so. It's louder in cabin as well with the rear seats up and the shelf in place. :lol: