97 Camry sounds like a tank
 

My car has been progressively getting louder and louder, but ignored it until today. On my way to work, the car starting vibrating whenever I stepped on the gas. It's loud as all hell, from the time I start the car 'til the time I shut it off. Even just having the car sit in park is loud as all hell. Figured it was best to take the back roads home tonight, to avoid getting pulled over.

I know next to nothing about cars. I had my friend listen to it - he's far from an expert, but certainly knows more than I do when it comes to cars. You can definitely tell it's coming from the front of the car, and he seems to think there's a hole in my exhaust.

On to my questions:

1. Is it a hole in the exhaust?
2. If so (or if not) is there a fairly cheap DIY fix for this so I can avoid getting my wallet raped?

The exhaust system has a flexible section of exhaust pipe (flex pipe) linking the exhaust system on the engine to the exhaust system on the frame.

The pipe is about 2 foot long made of flexible metal material. This allows movement of the engine without damaging the exhaust pipe connected to the frame.

A leak in the pipe is the most common source of noise.

If the problem is the flex pipe it can be replaced.

As to fixes.

Find a muffler shop that will cut out the old section of flex pipe and install another one. As opposed to wanting to replace the complete exhaust system.

Don't go to the Toyota dealer as they will only replace the complete exhaust system.

Check with auto parts stores who stock or can get a flex pipe, you need to determine the diameter of the pipe on the car. Look for a flex pipe having a design where the ends of the pipe are larger then the exhaust pipe on the car.

Cut out the flex pipe system with a hack saw, slid the end of the new pipe onto the nto existing sections of pipe and clamp with exhaust clamps.

For a very temp fix you can get something called muffler wrap. This is metal tape that wraps around the pipe.