Re: Didn't expect this to happen..... (archive)

Had something similar happen on my e12 several years ago. The rear muffler stopped up and super heated. It is a wonder that the car did not blow up. When I finally decided that the "sluggish" problem (just like you described) was getting worse not better. I stopped the car. Got out and followed the smoke. The muffler was red hot. It had melted the rubber donuts that suspend the muffler and also scorched the mat that is in the bottom of the trunk. Too scary. Certainly because the muffler runs right next to the gas tank.

When I had the muffler replaced, it fixed the problem. my mechanic told me that a piece of the muffler had broken inside and had blocked the exhaust flow.

I am glad that you did not get hurt in any way. Any other damage to your car?

cfisher

First, let me give a belated thank you to everyone who has offered advice on the runnability problem I am having with my 73 Djet CSi. I have tried many things, and the car runs better, but it still peaks at about 4k rpm and most of the time it will go no further.

I was quite unprepared for what happened Sunday evening. I had set the timing by the book, it was running well advanced. The car ran no better. One thing I did notice is that it backfired more often. I had it on the road trying to push it past 4k, in 2nd gear with my foot down to the floor at 4k for about 20-30 seconds, trying to break something loose when BAM!-batta-batta-BAM-BAM-BAM - something did break loose, made a hell of a racket, and the car started revving past 4k. Still sluggish past 4k, mind you, but at least it would go there.

I returned to the house still sounding like hell, suspecting the muffler but I popped the hood at first because I was worried about the engine, it seemed to be ok. Then I looked at the mufflers, and found that the rear-most muffler (the transverse one) had exploded and opened up along the top seam.

I have not pulled the muffler off yet to see how it runs with a straight pipe, I will when I take it to be repaired. Need an expert opinion - has anyone had this happen before? I suspect that I had some kind of restriction in the muffler that may have been pressurizing the exhaust. Can't think of any other reason for it to explode like that. Is it possible this could have caused the original symptoms?

Thanks again for the help.

Robert

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