A loud exhaust almost always means a crack or leak between the manifold and tailpipe. Most fixes are under $400 if you catch it before the whole exhaust rusts through.
Salt and road moisture eat through mid-pipe and muffler shells. Common on cars 8+ years old in cold climates.
Heat cycling cracks cast-iron manifolds. Tick or rumble loudest on cold start, quieter when warm.
A bent or broken hanger drops the exhaust onto the underbody, creating a roaring and rattling. Quick fix.
A donut gasket between the manifold and downpipe blows out. Hissing or ticking under load.
A stolen or damaged cat causes massive volume increase. Look for cut pipes if you parked outside.
You smell exhaust fumes inside the cabin, feel dizzy, or have a sudden headache. Carbon monoxide can be fatal in 30 minutes of cabin exposure.
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A hanger or clamp is $50-$150. A muffler replacement is $200-$500. A full mid-pipe replacement runs $400-$900. A new catalytic converter is $800-$2,500.
Short term yes, if no fumes enter the cabin. But CO is colorless and odorless at low levels. Get it fixed within a week.
Cast iron manifolds shrink cold, opening cracks. Once warm, metal expands and seals them. Common on older trucks especially.
If you have welding skills and a lift, yes. Most muffler shops do simple patches for $80-$150 - usually not worth DIY.
Sudden extreme volume increase, looking under the car you see clean cut pipes where the cat should be. Common on Priuses and tall trucks.