Y-Pipe replaced - Diesel Forum

Testosterone · 03-13-2002, 10:40 PM

Took the beast in to have seat belts replaced and Y-pipe replaced. The Y-pipe upgrade seems to have fixed the flutter but I still have a resonating/vibration problem in the exhaust system. The dealer here does not have a clue what it is and will have to call Ford in the morning to find out how to proceed. Anyone else had something similar to this and what was fix? I checked the heat shields and anything else that may have come loose but did not find anything. The problem only occurs at approximately 1800 RPMs with a light acceleration.

Will let all know when and if it is solved.

Thanks,

monsta · 03-16-2002, 11:32 PM

Assuming that the problem is definantly NOT any heat shields, it is most likely to be broken welds on the baffles in the cat.

Too bad you got the "improved" Y-pipe. Have you noticed a performance decrease? I have the orginal (read: non-updated) pipe and have not experienced flutter; yet. I can't wait!!! My wife thinks the only fix is the Banks Powerpak!!! Yipee!

Eric Romanov · 03-17-2002, 10:44 AM

We have seen this problem at our Dealership often. Here is what we find:
1. Muffler internals broken loose.
2. Cat Converter " ".
3. The exuast system comming into contact with anything (except its own hangers)
4. Broken or loose hangers
Also I would check to see that the replacement y-pipe was not damaged in transit before it was installed on your vehicle. We have seen a few come in that were probably on the bottom of the pile that had bent sheilding. Installing one in this condition could produce some strange noises.

If you are looking for more power the Banks stuff is the way to go. We have installed a lot of it with excellant results.

Testosterone · 03-18-2002, 11:28 PM

Monsta-

I have not noticed any performance problems at all, seems to run a bit better. Was reluctant to have the Y pipe replaced but read here that the latest fix was better than what originally was designed. Don't think flutter is completely gone, won't be without headers most likely. Would love to do the Banks thing but can't afford it at this time.

Eric-

Thanks for the info, will check new Y pipe and will pass on other information to my dealer. I have not heard back from them so I think they have decided to ignore the problem. However I will keep bugging whomever is necessary to get this resolved.

V10 man · 03-19-2002, 02:49 AM

www.truckperformance.com Borla headers and y pipe. $567.62. If you call and try and deal they will. I paid $530 delivered. I understand about the lack of funds tho.. Took me quite awile to convince the better half that I NEEDED the headers.

Testosterone · 03-21-2002, 09:56 AM

Well after several phone calls to the dealer, the beast is now back in the shop for the vibration problem.

Also, been noticing a "loping" sound upon first start up similar to when a water pump is going out. Doesn't always happen, intermitent at this point. In fact it has gotten to be more often or frequent as of late so I am having them look at that to. However since I can't always reproduce it I am sure they will have a difficult time finding anything wrong.

I guess we will see what happens.

Testosterone · 03-22-2002, 08:21 PM

UPDATE
Took the truck in, the dealer "neutralized" the exhaust system by going through all components and tightening each one. Result, they say it is fixed. Nope, as soon as I hit 1800 RPMs the sound/vibration is still there. Called dealer and now have to take it in on MOnday for two to three days. I think this is a scare tactic to get me to re-think bringing it back. Doesn't scare me, they can have it for a week if that is what it takes. I have a feeling this may take numerous trips in an effort to wear me down, won't work. I think the only fix is a new exhaust, headers, lift, wheels, tires and whatever other upgrades I can think of, ha, ha.

I am under the impression that it could be the driveshaft being out of balance, but who am I. Very strange.

Will keep all posted.

keithf · 03-24-2002, 08:44 PM

I have the exact same noise, at just below 2000 RPM. Sounds like a loose heat shield going ZZZZZiiinnnggg. It only happens in gear under acceleration at that RPM. I can make it happen for a longer period by driving up a hill at and holding it at that RPM.

It only started after I had the Y-pipe TSB to fix the flutter. My wife says she heard the same noise when another SD drove down our street (she thought it was me) so this is happening to more than a few trucks. I would guess that rules out a loose part - maybe it is resonance at that RPM?

When it started I thought it was caused by the Y-pipe heat shield touching the Y-pipe. So I levered the heat shield away from the exhaust but it did not fix it. I then though the Y-pipe heat shield clamp was vibrating, so i put a 4" hose clamp around it and the exhaust - still did not fix it.

What gives! Is this portion of the exhaust system (cat forward) covered under the 50,000 mile emmisions warranty? I'm at 44k miles, can I get Ford to fix it for free?

Thanks! Keith.

Foghorn · 03-25-2002, 08:01 AM

Fortunately, I don't have that noise with my truck however my dad had a 89 Merc Cougar which from the sounds of it(no pun intended) made the same sound. It was the muffler - one of the baffles inside was loose. It was the most annoying noise to me but it wasn't annoying enought to him to spend the cash to replace it!

summitx · 03-25-2002, 05:21 PM

Man, I absolutley cannot believe people are still batteling this problem after 2 years and FORD still has not fixed it.

Guys, it is not anything loose in any of the exhaust parts so don't bother trying. The only fix I ever heard was a set of JBA/Borla's of the Banks kit.

I feel for the poor bastard who bought my V-10 from Bozeman Ford. They knew all about the problem and let it sit on the used car lot until some sucker came along. Oh well

DJR 17 · 03-25-2002, 08:38 PM

Not exactly true summitx, I heard a noise from my exhaust and found the heat sheild weld broken. After a few more weeks it got even worse, more welds broke on another heat sheild. I took a large hose clamp and put them around the heat sheilds and that fixed it. After hearing a flowmaster on the v-10, I cant wait to get an exhaust kit for mine....

Testosterone · 03-25-2002, 10:26 PM

Well, got the truck back this evening. The dealership says that they have run extensive tests and that the vibration level is within specifications. I think what that means is that we don't know what the problem is or don't want to deal with it anymore. I guess a flowmaster might ease the pain, will have to look into it.

Anyone have any other suggestions on this matter I am all ears.

Testosterone · 03-25-2002, 10:26 PM

Well, got the truck back this evening. The dealership says that they have run extensive tests and that the vibration level is within specifications. I think what that means is that we don't know what the problem is or don't want to deal with it anymore. I guess a flowmaster might ease the pain, will have to look into it.

Anyone have any other suggestions on this matter I am all ears.

summitx · 03-26-2002, 12:47 PM

I see, DJR

So your truck never had "flutter", it had broken welds. I sure wish that had been my problem. That is what it sounded like but I had the entire exhaust system replaced and it still did it.

I still have the mp3 files of what mine sounded like. Is there anyplace here I can upload them?

DJR 17 · 03-26-2002, 07:29 PM

Actually I still have the flutter I think. It just sounds like an exhaust leak when you punch it. I wish I could afford Borla headers, but being that im in the HVAC business winter is not a good time of the year in Texas for me. I don't think you can upload on this site, but you can over at Yahoo.com...