Centre Silencer Rattling at Idle on a 2010 2.0L Diesel T27 Estate

[Grogey]

Hi,

I think a baffle has come loose inside my centre silencer and it rattles at idle. Heat shields all good and solidly fixed. Rattle stops with slight increase in rpm reduces vibration of the exhaust system. Rattle stops if I hold the silencer and dampen the vibration at idle. The vibration of the exhaust at idle seems normal. 

Any tips on where I can buy a replacement? I've tried all the local breakers and also auto parts stores like Fyfes and Eurocarparts.

I found Mefes on eBay selling what I think is one under the title.

MEFEX exhaust centre silencer TOYOTA Avensis Station Wagon 2.0 D-4D model T27

Would this be a good buy?

They seem to be hard to source.

Would taking it off and trying to shake out the offending part be worth a try? It looks to be a straight forward job to remove. The centre silencer still looks in great condition given its age.

If anyone knows the correct part number that would be a great help.

The car is running well otherwise and I plan to keep it long term.

Cheers Grogey

 

 

[Grogey]

Hi all. Is this issue beyond the experience of this forum? It can't be that unusual could it?

[Konrad C]

On 11/20/2021 at 12:55 PM, Grogey said:

Hi all. Is this issue beyond the experience of this forum? It can't be that unusual could it?

It depends who is checking in on the forum and if somebody has experienced the same issue as you. Seven years ago, I changes the complete exhaust of my previous Mk1 Avensis. I have never heard of Mefex, but for the cost it must be both rare for the model and reasonable quality. Since it is only a middle silencer/resonator with coupling, so long as the fit is good, there shouldn't be much issue. It might sound a little different.
No specialist knowledge is needed since there are no catalytic converter or exhaust sensors involved. Only seized or rusty fixings to worry about. 
In general, Toyota exhausts tend to last a long time, but you get the odd problems that comes with age.  

[Grogey]

On 11/21/2021 at 11:26 PM, Konrad C said:

It depends who is checking in on the forum and if somebody has experienced the same issue as you. Seven years ago, I changes the complete exhaust of my previous Mk1 Avensis. I have never heard of Mefex, but for the cost it must be both rare for the model and reasonable quality. Since it is only a middle silencer/resonator with coupling, so long as the fit is good, there shouldn't be much issue. It might sound a little different.
No specialist knowledge is needed since there are no catalytic converter or exhaust sensors involved. Only seized or rusty fixings to worry about. 
In general, Toyota exhausts tend to last a long time, but you get the odd problems that comes with age.  

Thank you Konrad C,

Just this evening I came home I could here the rattle as I idled the engine just before shutting it off. Instead of shutting off I got out with the engine running to listen from outside. It was a loud metal on metal rattle. I got a leg underneath the car to brace the silencer or pipe with my foot to see if this dampened out the rattle in an attempt to confirm the middle silencer was the source. The rattle stopped instantly with virtually no pressure but everything moved way to much.

I thought a mount had gone. From the limited view from lying beside the car I could see the exhaust pipe has sheared clean off the back of the middle silencer, between the rear flange on the middle silencer and the point where this silencer fattens.

I got underneath if when I had first detected the rattle thinking it was another collapsed heat shield but found nothing. Then the exhaust seemed solid. It was up on a hoist having it's bushings checked shortly after that and on mentioning the rattle to the mechanic nothing external was noted.

Maybe a crack was developing but not open or complete enough to be easily seen. But enough to rattle sometimes at idle. Expansion probably closed it temporarily when hot.

I'll try strapping it temporarily and start to seriously source a replacement. There is only half an inch of pipe on the back of the silencer so strapping will be difficult. I'll post up the final repair when completed.

Interestingly the exhaust note, bar the rattle, is little different. 

Thanks again.