Recently started hearing a flapping type noise when I start my vehicle. This only occurs after the vehicle has been idle for several hours. You can mainly hear the noise at the 5 second mark and again at 28 seconds and it sounds like it's coming underneath the hood. After the car starts, within 3 minutes or so the sound then goes away.

Vehicle has 105,000 miles and never had any issues prior. I've also recently noticed within the last 3 months that my oil has been leaking quite a bit. I've taken my car to 2 shops and one said an oil pan + transfer cage needs to be replaced and the second shop suggested an oil pan + timing cover is needed to be repaired - not sure if that has anything to do with the sound, but thought I'd include it as well.

Any idea what it is? See the youtube video I posted.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytXoA4xFq_8

 

Yeah that is an exhaust leak. Could be coming from any where. Exhaust manifold gaskets, downpipe gaskets, blown flex joint. convertor or gaskets. Lots of possibilities. Would get it looked at. A leak at the exhaust manifold will rob power and fuel economy.

 

Thanks for the response. Do you know what kind of $$ range I'm looking at to get this repaired? Any safety concerns I should be aware of while on the road?

 

I've also recently noticed within the last 3 months that my oil has been leaking quite a bit. I've taken my car to 2 shops and one said an oil pan + transfer cage needs to be replaced and the second shop suggested an oil pan + timing cover is needed to be repaired - not sure if that has anything to do with the sound, but thought I'd include it as well.

 

$$$ Would depend on where the leak is coming from. The lower pipes would be relatively easy and inexpensive. The exhaust manifolds are an expensive repair. Generally no safety issues come from an exhaust leak.

 

2.0, 2.3 or 3.0 ltr Engine? I've seen exhaust studs snap on the 3.0 V6 engines quite a few times. Once the studs snap the manifold starts to warp.

 

I also think that the problem is an exhaust leak.

 

Heard Video, I also believe it's an exhaust leak. I basically had the same thing. As vehicle warms up, exhaust warms up and expands making sound go away. On my vehicle the pre-catalytic converter is part of the exhaust manifold, making it a more difficult repair. If your exhaust manifold gets cracked, you need this whole assembly which is expensive. I had low mileage on mine and emissions warranty years were not up yet on mine, so it was covered under warranty. Yours won't be covered, if it needs replacing, hopefully just gasket and new studs/nuts.
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