I have a 2003 Pathfinder SE with 29,500 miles and about two weeks or so ago my stock exhaust sounds like it has gotten louder. Even at idle, it sounds like it's rumbling a little more than it ever did. And when I had my friend drive away so I can hear it, it sounds "meaner". Almost as if there's a hole in the exhaust. What could this be? All help is greatly appreciated.

-Tom

 

i have a 03 pathfinder LE with 70k miles and have noticed my muffler sounding louder than usual as well. i have also noticed a small hole at the base of the backside of the muffler with some black "soot" around it. it's such a perfect shaped hole, i'm not sure if it is a drain for the muffler or a hole that has developed...it appears to be about a 1/16th of an inch or smaller in dia. i just posted a transmission problem in another thread, so i guess i'll be taking it to the dealership on monday for that...i will check with the service department about the muffler.