97 Caravan Exhaust Noise

I have a 97 Dodge Caravan with a 3.0 litre engine. I recently had some
stalling and re-starting problems that were traced to the PCM controller,
which was eventually replaced.



Also, within the past six months, the muffler and resonator were replaced at
a country garage that used after-market parts.



Now, when I first start the vehicle it runs like a charm but after warming
up it sometimes sounds like there is a huge hole in the exhaust. Sounds
good at idle but under load it becomes loud. When the exhaust noise starts,
the engine appears to be running fine with no hesitation, coughing or
stalling. If I make a short stop (to get gas, for example) it often sounds
just fine after getting on the road again.



As part of the diagnosing of the PCM problem, the compression was checked
and found to be ok.



When it is idling it seems fine and therefore hard to check for exhaust
leaks but from what I could tell there weren't any obvious holes or any
leaks around the joints. The emissions were checked and were excellent.



Before I declare the muffler and resonator to be a piece of junk, are there
any other thoughts that anyone has. Are there any sensors for example that
might cause this?



Thanks for all thoughts.

 

Well yea, why not take it back to the person that installed the exhaust?

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

Hi,

I did that, and the damn thing ran just fine. That's when we decided to do
the emissions test. I'll have to drive around until it acts up and then
hope that it does it when I get to his shop.

Thanks.

Ed

 

I think your muffler and resonator are junk. But, I use cheap junky
aftermarket
mufflers in my 68 Torino, it makes the V8 sound like it's cammed and I like
the sound. Unfortunately, V6's, even ones that are cammed, always sound
terrible, you can't muffle them enough.

Ted

 

Thanks Ted.

I'm thinking you're quite right. Based on the principle "If it walks like a
duck, squawks like a duck, tastes like a duck, then it's probably a duck",
then my squakin' muffler is probably a lousy muffler.

I guess I was hesitating because of the intermittent thing. I've never had
an exhaust problem that only happens when its hot or when it feels like it.

Next week, off it comes.

Thanks again for all the thoughts.

Ed

"Ted Mittelstaedt" wrote in message

 

Yup, it was the muffler. Finally had a chance to go down to a local
muffler shop today. They put the van up on the hoist and when the mechanic
took his fist and thumped on the muffler it sounded like a can of loose
parts.

Sooooo, the muffler was replaced and now it sounds great. Thanks for all
the thoughts guys.

Ed