About 2-3 weeks ago, the clutch was replaced on my 03 MCS. After picking up the car, I was feeling some "extra noise" while driving next to a wall, center divider or a curb. I thought that not having the car for a week and driving around with rental cars, I might have forgotten how it "should" sound like. However, over the last few days the noise has become significantly louder (to a point that I dont have to open the windows to hear it; it is much louder under load (while accelerating) and little quiter when slowing down (foot off the gas pedal). I can describe it as clatter I guess.... Someone mentioned "exhaust leak", but I have not had a car with that problem, so I dont know what that should sound like.

Any ideas what the reason could be for this? Note that I did not have this problem until the clutch replacement.

Thanks in advance for any insights.

 

If the exhaust was leaking, you'd probably know it, because the exhaust note is just more pronounced; more droning, more bass, vibration and or buffetting inside the cabin.

If it is a clattering sound, perhaps some of the heat shield underneath the car is now touching the exhaust or other parts when you turn a certain way, or are accelerating. I would recommend putting the car up on some jack stands, and crawling under there to see if it is as simple as some heat shielding touching something under the car.