At 34,500 miles. Flutter just started. Worth having dealer fix? - Diesel Forum

keithf · 10-02-2001, 10:43 PM

Just noticed flutter at 34,500 miles. It sounds like a cross between pinging and a loose heat shield rattling. Only occurs in gear at 2250-3000 RPM when accelerating. Funny how it started now.

I took delivery of my truck im March 2000, so from reading here, I assume I have the old larger flutter Y-pipe.

So, should I live with it, or get the dealer to "fix" it under warranty with the small Y-pipe? I've read here that the new pipe kills the performance and MPG.

What damage could occur if I leave it as is? It's not too loud. Will it get worse/louder?

Also read here that there is a new large Y-pipe in the works. Any more info / ETA on that?

Thanks in advance! Keith.

dan4x4 · 10-03-2001, 10:17 AM

I don't know if Ford has a replacement part for the Y pipe yet available to customers through parts departments. You can always call and check. The 2001 models do have the necked down Y pipe. You may NOT want this one either, though...

Ford may not consider flutter noise to be a warranty covered part on the basis of annoying noise only. You may wind up paying for the part and labor. [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

You may find a dealer who will work with you too. Dealers seem to vary on what they will and will not cover under warranty or "warranty" [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] issues. Does not hurt to try.

If all else fails, go with an aftermarket exhaust setup. Plenty of choices out there. The headers right on back through the tailpipe will help your engine run better too. Plus sound sooo much more like a truck. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Good luck!

Dan

robsd · 10-03-2001, 03:31 PM

Very strange it started now since the cause seems to be in the design (maybe you hit a stump [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] )

Actually there is a replacement for the 2000 but it is the necked version as Dan mentioned and does not get good reviews.

I live with mine since it's not that bad. Maybe the LB's are a bit better. I would like to get headers but at $500+ I would rather buy some tools, a rifle, vacation, etc instead of fixing something that's not that noticeable. Plus I have a cat back exhaust and that covers most of it.

Good Luck,
Rob

MNguy · 10-04-2001, 09:23 AM

I have an early 2001 with teh old Y pipe. I also have the flutter problem real bad. It started at about 12,000 miles. I have a buddy who has a late 2001 with the new necked down Y pipe and he also has the flutter problem. My dealer has tried the new necked down Y pipe on some 2000s and it did not fix the problem. I'm very frustrated with this problem. Seems that Ford will not fix it. I also do not want to spend $500 plus to fix a problem that should be covered under warranty.

MNguy

born2be · 10-04-2001, 11:45 AM

I had my flutter problems fixed under warranty a couple of months ago, and couldn't be happier. Haven't had a noticeable change in mileage (still get around 10 mpg with mixed driving) or power (I'm not so anal about the power loss that I would have dyno'd it before and after for an accurate comparison). Do a search here for the previous thread in which I posted the TSB # that I had it fixed under if you're interested. Good luck.

W.

NoMo · 10-04-2001, 09:13 PM

Are you sure it's not just a bad tank of fuel? Also, as someone mentioned, you might check all of the heat shields. I had one come loose on my '00 in less than 4000 miles.

Otherwise, sounds like an excellent excuse to buy some headers. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

J.C. · 10-04-2001, 10:07 PM

I have a strange exhaust noise but, it only does it when it's warm, in drive, at idle. It sounds like a loose heat shield and I crawled under the truck to try to find which one it is and the noise seems to be coming from inside the muffler. At times it can be extremely loud and I can even hear it with the windows up and the radio on. I know it sure is driving me crazy and I can't even find an auto parts store that has a muffler or I'm sure I would have ripped the thing off by now... [img]images/icons/blush.gif[/img]

keithf · 10-06-2001, 09:42 PM

Thanks for all the replies guys! Much appreciated.

I've filled up twice since then, and the noise is still there, so it's probably not a bad tank of gas. Actually, I now think flutter's been there all along - I just assumed that was a normal engine sound. I only figured it out to be flutter now, after I locked in the front hubs to lube them and then drove with the windows down (cooler temps). The flutter noise is probably louder due to the extra load of turning the front axle. It quietens down if I unlock the axle. Now of course, I notice flutter all the time.

Why is it called flutter anyway? Why not call it rattle, or tinging?

Anyway, what I'm hearing/reading here is that flutter will not damage the engine, and that the smaller pipe fix may not work anyway. Also, dealers are not motivated to perform warranty work so may do a bum job, leaving me with other problems once my warranty runs out. I'm a believer in "if it ain't broke don't fix it". So I'll just leave it as is and turn the stereo up.

Thanks again! Keith.

dwadep · 10-11-2001, 05:41 PM

Hey JC, I have the same sound, but it's not the muffler, as I just replaced the stock one with a Flowmaster. This sound drives me insane, I took it into the dealer twice but they say they can't duplicate the problem. I'm now out of warranty so I guess I'm stuck with it. If you have any luck locating the problem please post it. Thanks in advance. [img]graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

J.C. · 10-12-2001, 10:33 PM

dewadep,

Whenever I fix it, I'll be sure to post whatever it was that's making the noise. If changing the muffler doesn't fix it, I honestly have no idea what else it could be though. I've crawled under it at least three times now to make sure and each time I've come up with it must be something inside the muffler being loose. So, I dunno. [img]graemlins/shrug.gif[/img] It might be a while before I get around to messing with it unless it pushes me over the edge one of these days. It's come close a couple times now and I bought a new exhaust clamp and have been warming up the sawzall. Now if I could only find some cheapo muffler to try... [img]images/icons/crazy.gif[/img]

eric@kengrodyford · 10-12-2001, 11:56 PM

JC, We have run across this problem before. Changing the muffler will not fix it. I am 99% sure there is a Ford TSB that would apply to your vehicle. If I was at the Dealership I would look it up for you now. The TSB is for replacing the front y-pipe. The way the exhuast flows through the "y" part of the pipe causes cavitation at the rpm you are describing. Installing the updated ford part eliminates the noise. We have also installed Banks headers that not only eliminated the noise but helped out in the power/milage department as well.

J.C. · 10-13-2001, 09:03 AM

Eric,

I don't think I have the exhaust flutter that everyone is talking about with their Y-pipe. Is that what you are referring too? I get my noise at less than 1000 rpms at idle in drive whereas everyone that has the flutter problem seems to have it at a higher rpm. Also at first everyone with flutter seems to think it's a spark knock until they learn about the flutter problem. My noise sounds nothing at all like a spark knock. If there is a TSB describing my noise, I'm listening. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

eric@kengrodyford · 10-13-2001, 10:06 AM

JC, sorry, should have paid closer attention to your post. We have also had some issues with the factory muffler guts comming loose. If your within the 3/36 any decent dealer should cover it under warrenty. Some of our customers that have had this problem go to a decent cat back system. Eric R.

keithf · 10-13-2001, 10:36 AM

Eric, welcome to the site! We can sure use your friendly Ford Service input!

Have you heard about the redesigned Y-pipe that Ford are working on? It supposedly removes flutter, without the power loss experienced by the current replacement Y-pipe. Any idea when it is coming out?

Thanks! Keith.

dwadep · 10-15-2001, 04:24 PM

I'm 100% positive it's not the guts of the stock muffler, as I have put on a flowmaster and still have the noise. Over the weekend I had a friend (trustworthy) rotate from neutral to drive while I laid under the truck and it sounds as if it's coming from the trans bellhousing or the torqe converter. Has anybody else been foolish enough to try this? It really does sound as if it's a loose heat shield but I can't locate it.