Sounds like an exhaust leak, but can't find it.

[MoRbiD]

I have a 1.8TQ 6MT car, I replaced the down pipe (Audi call's it the front exhaust pipe) and the middle muffler in fall of 2019.
I've had zero issues since.

New Years day I went out to run some errands, no issues. I'm driving home and I noticed the exhaust sounded louder. So did my neighbor, who works on Audi's too, when I got home.

I didn't break out my Quick Jack, but used a regular floor jack and got the car up so I could check the exhaust system. All the sleeve clamps are tight and I don't see any signs of the leak.

The noise sounds more like it's coming from the front of the car. I don't have an exhaust smell in the exhaust manifold area, scanned the car w/VCDS and there aren't any codes.

I'm about to take it to the shop an let them put the car on a lift and look.

ne1 have any ideas?

[old guy]

Open the hood, start the engine and let it idle. Have someone sit on the ground behind the car and use his/her feet (shoes required!) to block both exhaust tips. Listen under the hood for any obvious leaks.

[MoRbiD]

thnx, i can try that.

[MoRbiD]

I drove the car down the street to the store, today, noise has gotten worse. When I got home I popped the hood and I can see a build-up of rust colored dust on the wheel liner in that area.
I'm betting that the steel mesh part of the down/flex pipe has failed. Maybe broken loose from the flanges.

[MoRbiD]

In may 2019 the stock pipe was $273.00, now it's up around $506.00. 53.95% price increase.

[Cybersombosis]

$82 at rock auto for a manual.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...esonator,10038

[MoRbiD]

I'm thinking of going with a Performance Stainless 2.5" Downpipe from Techtonics Tuning. https://techtonicstuning.com/main/in...2lqtvs6mbgmlu0
I see a lot of people here use them, but my car is bone stock and I'm not looking to upgrade anything else. So I need to find out about fitment issues.

[EuroxS4]

The techtonics part is far superior to the factory part as well as the cheap rock auto one . I used techtonics on almost all my b6's, its the only logical choice in my opinion.

[MoRbiD]

Thnxs man. I'm off tomorrow and can put the car up on the quickjack to confirm it's that pipe.

[MoRbiD]

Put the car up on my QuickJack this morning. I went to crawl in from the front of the car and could see the problem before even getting under the car.

Broken_Flex_Pipe.jpg

[Fast4esT]

thats a definite leak lol