Questions and Answers

Saturn SL1 Is Exhausted Q. My car is loud near the front, roughly under the front passenger seat where the exhaust pipe is. I crawled underneath and inspected the exhaust from the engine to the muffler, but didn't find any holes. The engine performs fine and runs quiet at idle speed. Is it the muffler, even though the offending loud noise is up front? Could there be a hole in the catalytic converter. It's covered with a heat guard which looks fine.

I would think a hole in the catalytic converter would cause some sort of performance issue.

• 1993 Saturn SL1
• 1.9 liter SOHC
• Automatic transmission
• 135,000 miles

Dan

A. I assume you are talking about an exhaust noise? Sometimes with the rocking motion of the engine when put in gear will strain the exhaust pipe and cause it to snap. Sounds like you need to have someone inside the car with the parking brake on and wheels chocked and put it under a load while you check underneath. BE CAREFUL!