Car LOUD after sitting unused. Cause?

[Zeke29]

My 2004 Chevy Malibu has been sitting outside, undriven, for basically a couple of years. I had it serviced shortly before I ended up parking it and everything was in great shape. (I hadn't really intended on not driving it for a couple of years, but that's the way things go, eh?) It's been through two cycles of up to 95°F+ summer temps and sometimes -25°F winter temps with only partial cover.

Well, recently I went to start it up, after cleaning out a squirrel nest from the engine, checking fluids, etc. The battery was obviously dead, I expected that. However, once I fixed that issue and got the engine running, it was bloody LOUD. The muffler sounded like I had a pair of tricked out Harleys following me around, even after I'd driven it for about 15 miles.

I'm not much of a car person, but I didn't see any problem visually with the muffler system and nothing had crawled inside it. What would anyone guess is wrong with it? Would the two-year-old gas cause that? (It was about 3/4 full when it was parked and I never put any additive in it.) Any ideas to try, things to look for?

Much obliged --

[vgames33]

If its a loud exhaust, something must have rusted out. Exhaust systems are usually the first to go when a car sits for an extended period of time. Have a muffler shop take a look at it.

[Moppie]

Originally Posted by Zeke29

My 2004 Chevy Malibu has been sitting outside, undriven, for basically a couple of years.

Welcome to AF!


As vgames said, it sounds like there are some rust holes, either in exhaust piping, or in the mufflers.

This is something you should get looked at pretty quickly as exhaust gas can make its way into the car which can be dangerous for any occupants.


It's a common problem for a car that has been sitting for a long time.
You may also want to have the brakes checked, as these also suffer badly from corrosion on a car that's not running for a long period of time.