1995 Buick Regal Water in Muffler?

BNTTWNBNT

MEMBER
1995 BUICK REGAL
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
115,000 MILES

I recently was on a side street in a heavy rainstorm and went over a pretty deep puddle at a faster speed than I should have. Ever since then, my car still runs fine but there is a noise that comes from underneath my car in the vacinity of the muffler. I've had 2 experienced people check underneath my car and both have said nothing is loose or abnormal. This noise is a soft rattling and is heard most a few seconds after the car starts and when the car is shifted into reverse. Could it be water in the muffler? If so, how can I get rid of the water? I'm amazed that the 2 people I sent it to did not find anything, yet I still hear the noise! Please help.

1 Reply

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

Yes water could could have gotten into the muffler but after some driving it will evaporate and be gone. As for the noise you are hearing it could be gravel or something between the heat shield and the cat. Or the heatshield and muffler that has been loosened and moved with the water and now you are hearing it rattle a bit. It could also be the heatshields itself that are now making noise. Otherwise it could be inside of the muffler has come loose and is totally unrelated to the puddle. What I would do first is remove the heatshields to remove and debri from between it and the cat and muffler and see if the noise goes away. Let me know what you find.