Hi,

I have a 2011 Malibu LS. Since I've owned it there's been a ridiculously loud exhaust leak. It's not coming from the exhaust pipe or exhaust manifold. It's coming from a pipe that is right behind the engine, right near the exhaust manifold. This pipe has nothing attached to the end of it. Just an open end. Tons of exhaust comes out of this tube and it's incredibly loud. Embarrassingly loud. When I plug this tube with my finger the car is absolutely silent. Does anyone know what this tube is? Is it something I can just get welded closed? Is there something that's supposed to be attached to it that's missing? I've attached a photo and circled the pipe where the leak is coming from.

Thanks in advance! I dream of having a quiet car.

-Matt

 

That isn't normal. The Previous owner likely his something on the road and didn't repair it. Unless you have twin pipes, I dont know what it is. Does your car have a a passive smog control system? That means it has no smog pump. A few better pictures would help. This needs to be solved as you are likely breathing exhaust fumes. I see that its flanged so something is missing.