ViPaDawG

iTrader: (2)

Hey Everyone,

So not too long ago I bought a used G37S 5AT, and it made noises from the exhaust whenever it was running. So naturally I took it to the dealer and they replaced the muffler, and the sounds definitely got less. However, there was still a ticking/rattling that would occur.

So I took it to a different dealer and had them look at it, demonstrated it to the Service Advisor to make sure he heard it too, which he did, and they took a look at it. After browsing some threads here, I thought it might be a bad Y-pipe or something, but the SA called me back and said that small rocks got into a gap between the car and heatshield, and those are what caused the rattle. He said though it wasn't a warranty item, he had the tech take out as many rocks as he could, but didn't think he got them all. He said when I bring it in for the next service, they can try again to get some more out.

After now having the car back for a day, the noise is definitely much less, but I can still here some ticking.

My question to you guys: Is that something common? I've never heard of rocks getting into heatshield gaps. Has this happened to anyone else? I'm quite curious as to how common this is.

Q8y_drifter

never heard this before. It's not really a car related issue IMO. It could happen to any car if the previous owner drive it in the same area I guess.

ViPaDawG

iTrader: (2)

Are gaps typical in the heatshield areas? I've owned tons of cars and driven on a ton of surfaces and never had this occur. Wanted to see if this was particular to G's and if I needed to be aware of where I am driving more so than I currently do.

Staples

iTrader: (9)

I had the same issue when I was doing donuts in the snow. I had salt / rocks fling up into the heatshield and get stuck and it was causing the issue you're describing.

ViPaDawG

iTrader: (2)

How did you end up dealing with it? Did you try taking them out yourself?

Staples

iTrader: (9)

I ended up tapping the cats lightly with a rubber mallet. I also had them in my heatshield over top my driveshaft.

ViPaDawG

iTrader: (2)

This may be a dumb question, but did you do it while the car was running? Did you jack it up, or put the car up on ramps? I'm curious to know so I can try to do it myself, and get rid of that noise.

Black Betty

iTrader: (60)

I wouldn't recommend doing it while the car is running as the exhaust gets very HOT very quickly.

You might also try a blast of high pressure compressed air if you have access to a compressor and hose.

Staples

iTrader: (9)

^ What he said, I did it on a car lift. If you don't have access to one, then use a jack and jackstands while the car isn't running.