My exhaust has been rattling and the dealer said it was the A-pipe. Not broken or cracked, just one pipe rattling inside another. Did the spacers wear out between the pipes or what? It only does it between 3000-4000rpm and is annoying since that is normal operating range (most of the time). I don't feel like layin down $500 to replace the stock pipe for a stupid rattle. Is there an easier way to fix it (new spacers?) or should I just pick up aftermarket headers?

I heard that a lot of aftermarket headers crack due to not being braced well enough from engine vibes. What to do?

 

Aftermarket header!

Get something Stainless Steel and you won't have to worry about it cracking.

 

Hey, I've got the *EXACT* same rattle, and my mechanic also said it was the A-pipe (but he quoted me $850 for a fix ) Anyways, lemme know how you decided to fix the problem!

 

Aftermarket header... or turbo kit!!!

 

OMFG 850 for a fix... dude never go to that mechanic again.... seriously thats insane

 

Maybe he was going to fix it with a Hytech header.

 

I've got that same **** at around 3100-3400 rpm. Its soooo damn annoying. I've got a DC 4-2-1 header, so I dont think it could be that problem. Its gotta be something to do with the rest of the exhaust. I'm just going to have all new piping laid out on my car. I'm sure the local muffler dealer will do that **** for ya.

 

i get that same rattle between 2200-2300 RPM.. $850 to fix it?!! i think you might be able to go to a muffler shop. they'll cut the pipe, weld the loose part back in, and weld the header back up for cheap.

 

Get a stainless if you get an aftermarket header, please, those ceremics are crap, they crack and you are right back at the same problem you have now. I like Greddy, or Apexi, DC quality has been slouching. Its a good excuse to get a new header, also if you have a warranty you can usually talk them into replacing it, It is a common defect.


[Modified by 97blackteg, 1:49 AM 8/20/2001]

 

heh, if you can talk them into it, you are better friends with the service manager than me!

when I worked at ford I used to get some free stuff for the acura service manager (cause he owned a mustang) and do oil changes and regular maint for him at cost. if I couldn't get my A-pipe replaced under waranty, I don't think anyone could

good luck with it though!

I got the comptech headers, and they look great and have good quality build.

 

dude, I had the same problem with my A-pipe rattling at the same rpm range, just get a new header man....will ad afew horsies too

 

I got my dealership to replace the a-pipe on my 94 GSR outside of warranty. I showed them a copy of the TSB, and I was really smooth, really lucky, and the service manager would not stop staring at my wife's ****, so I think that was the real kicker.....ha ha
Good luck - what bullshit from Honda - gee wiz - first time making an exhaust system ? The sound of Honda losing customers....

 

I had the same problem but it wasen't my A-pipe it was the heat sheild to my cat. I just took it off and everything is back to normal.

 

What is a TSB? Where to find NTSB? Do you mean National Transportation Safety Board because I couldn't find anything there?

 

That rattle is common with most GS-R owners. Its nothing to really worry about unless the noise is bothering you. I have the same thing, but I honestly cant hear any rattle anymore. The only fix that would be worth the money is to buy an aftermarket header. This will replace the cracked A-pipe and solve your problems.

 

TSB = Technical Service Bulliten.

Kinda like a bug with the car that they find after production. Normally there are suggested fixes and what have you...

 

I have heard of another fix, it's ghetto spectacular but it's free. If you just can't afford to get a new header, pull out a nice 3 pound mallet, with the car up in the air just dent the pipe right where it bends to go under the oil pan. start it up and take a test drive, if it's not fixed hit it some more.
I know 2 people that have done this as a temporary fix till they could replace it and it worked fine.

 

TSBs are not something the dealer has to cover. if the NTSB comes out and says that a cirtain problem has arisen that compromises the safety of the vehicle then it goes to recall mode (most current, commonly known recall is the ford explorer/firestone deal) that has to be covered by the dealer, they have to give you a loaner vehicle if your car cannot be fixed quickly, and basically have to keep your car off the road until it is fixed. it is a safety issue.

TSBs are simply something that turn out to be a common issue within a vehicle, and are there to aid the technician in diagnosing the problem, by being able to follow steps that other technicians followed to find the solution.

ford has dozens that come out monthly for rattles inside the cars, etc. All the techs do is verify that it is the issue that is discribed in TSB #xxx they go to the parts dept and give them the tsb# and the parts dept has kits that they order based on that specific TSB. so pricing is known and you can cut out a lot of the leg work for a tech, and they can make more money, and the dealers and finally the auto company can make more money.

also, some TSBs have waranty miles/years listed with them, if a car is out of waranty it still may be covered by the TSB, the auto companies don't have to do this, but they usually do it so customers don't get huffy when they know that a problem is widespread and this is like the 10th time their car has had a widespread problem. afaik the a-pipe tsb doesn't extend the waranty past the normal expiration date, but look and go in to the dealer as informed as possible.

btw, the ntsb website is http://www.ntsb.gov

 

Ha ha ha.....5 years later....same car......IT"S BAAAAAAAAACK....I doubt they will fix it this time....so I will live with it till I get a header....geez honda.....still making junk a-pipes for us?

 

TURBO ftw

 

Or you can can take it off drill some holes into and weld the hole shut. I am sure there is an article if you do a search. I am saving up for a nice header but for now this works well. I hear the mallot trick works too, I felt welding would be better because it possible to dent the inner pipe too. I believe their is a ceramic coating so make sure if you weld it sand the inner pipe just a little bit so the weld will hold better. Or get a shopt to weld it for you I'm sure it not going to be 850 or near that price range at all.

 

sounds like a heat shield to me