Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting exhaust leak

not sure on what a exhaust leak is all about but I've talked to my friends about the problem of my car, that is the conclusion they came up with, just needed some more input from you guys. the problem is that when the car is in park a sound occurs, i don't think its a ticking sound, read the previous post on that, changed the oil, i was severly overdure, when the car is put into drive the sound is at max volume. then when i accelerate the soound only gets louder, however when i put the car into neutral, the sound is gone. almost sounds like a modified exhaust sound, but i've done nothing in that area. 98 contour se (auto)

check the tranny fluid if you haven't done that. the fact that when you put it in neutral and it gets quiet would make me rule out a exhaust leak. If it was the exhaust it would do it whenever the engine is running. BTW, How mechanically inclined are you and how many miles on the car? I would put the car up on 4 good jack stands and first crawl under the car and give a listen and feel to your exhaust system. Check for the sound of air escaping the pipes and you should feel puffs at the leaks. Then run the car through the gears on the jack stands, BE VERY CARFUL WITH THIS PART, make sure a friend or two is there to help. Pop the hood and listen for noises from the transmission from above. If you feel the car is safe crawl underneath and feel for and check the exhaust with the car in gear, park, and neutral. Look in the forums for your locations and post there, I'm sure a local would be willing to help you diagnose the problem if you are unsure. Hope this helps.