1973 450sl Exhaust Noise
 

:confused: My 1973 450SL exhaust has been inspected by 3 different car shops...all of them well-versed in MB. I think it makes too much noise, but they can't find anything wrong! Other 450's on the road don't sound as loud as mine. The sound seems to lessen when the car has been running for a while. The mufflers are new MB mufflers. A few people have told me to have the gaskets between the manifold and the exhaust pipe checked. Does anyone know what else the problem could be? If it is the manifold gasket(s), does anyone know if this is a big expense or a minor thing?message

exhaust note
 

If you have an exhaust manifold gasket leak generally you can hear is quite distinctly in the area around the manifold. In my experience a manifold leak does not change the tone of the exhaust system. I am new to Mercedes but have been working with cars for about 50 years. I have seen engines that run too lean make a louder than normal exhaust report. Check your plugs to see if one or all of your cyls. are running too lean. While you are at it check the timing. As you advance the timing the cyls. hit harder and the exhaust report changes.