I have a 2006 Cobalt SS 2.4 with 36,600 miles

My exhaust started rattling one night. At idle it just rattles but at 1500-2500 rpm it just sounds like a fart-can. I put up with it for a week and today decided to crawl underneath and check it out.

The rattle was coming from around the flexpipe or the cat area. I checked the heat shield and made sure nothing was hitting the exhaust. When I grabbed the exhaust and shook it, it was pretty obvious that it was rattling from inside.

So I took the downpipe out and checked it out. There is an insert that, I guess, is supposed to protect the flex pipe from the heat. It is loose and is causing the rattle.



I called my dealer to ask him if this would be covered. I was told that the bumper-to-bumper warranty has run out and that the emissions warranty only covers the cat and the ECU. I also have an extended warranty with a $100 deductible until 2012 (purchased by the previous owner). The tech told me that If I bring the car in and it turns out to not be covered I would have to pay a $97 diagnostics fee.

The car also has a "thump" that's coming from the front end/floorboard area when I turn the wheel going downhill or uphill. This has been going on for a year and I've just been choosing to put up with it.

Also the left pioneer tweeter isn't producing any sound.

My questions is: If I take the car in should at least one of these issues be covered? And if one is covered and other aren't do you think the diagnostics fee would still apply?

Thanks in advance!

 

do u know what a powertrain warranty is?

 

I have always been told it strictly covers: the engine and transmission/transaxle only. Am I wrong?

 

Engine
Cylinder head, block, timing gears, timing chain, timing cover, oil pump/oil pump housing, OHC carriers, valve covers, oil pan, seals, gaskets, turbocharger, supercharger and all internal lubricated parts as well as manifolds, flywheel, water pump, harmonic balancer and engine mount. Timing belts are covered until the first scheduled maintenance interval.

Manifold coverage ftw, I had the same covered on my car when I had the stock header/dp

 

Im 90% sure i have the exact problem shown in your picture ( loose insert inside the flex part of the pipe). My question is did it affect ur idle at all when u push the clutch in? I read about a guy that it affected his idle in neutral. I have an 06 sc cobalt and it rattles like a m.f.er. Ususally when its cold the rpms jump around when i push the clutch in. Anyone here of this? Do i need a whole new pipe? Are these to things related. I dont have any lights on my dash so no code has been thrown.

 

i honestly have this exact same problem in my 07 ss/sc i have the stock exhaust as well