My punto mk2 1.2 8v basic has started making the most annoying rattle.

I know it is definately coming from inside the centre silencer of the exhaust, right in the middle of the car underbody.

When you get underneath and give it a shake, it sounds like a golf ball is inside. I was told that it is a baffle that has come off.

Is there any way to stop the noise without replacing the exhaust? Also, is it a serious problem?

Cheers guys
Daniel

iirc the mk2 1.2 8v doesn't have a center silencer, are you sure its not the cat

According to Haynes manual it has, "intermediate silencer and rear silencer". It may not be standard on the 8v, but mine certainly does. (this is not the original exhaust, being 8 years old an' all.)

What would be the difference if i fitted a standard but non intermediate silencer exhaust? How much louder would it really be and would it be worth it for the slight power increase?

cheers

it wouldn't be much louder and a straight through center will be cheaper than one with a silencer

Got this sorted a while ago by the way. Kwik fit must have fitted an exhaust with a centre silencer and was basically knackered. Got a striaght through pipe from ebay and also a new back box, came to about £50 all in.

Not as difficult to fit as you might think but if you want to renew either section individually, bear in mind that if this hasnt been done in a long time, the join will probably be too caked to remove without cutting.

Thats what i had to do at first, just used exhaust paste and worked fine but then changed the back box as well and just used a new clamp and its a perfect fit.

is there any difference in sound now u have a straight through middle section, i take it you have a standard replacement backbox? i noticed mine has one too and thought about takin it off haha

Well i did notice a difference at first but not anymore, basically its the same overall volume, just a little bit more noticeable exhaust note. This is with standard backbox.

I recommend taking out the middle silencer. Only reason they fit it is so they can charge more for it and then charge more and sooner when it breaks. Its one less silencer to have to keep replacing.