Chrysler Repair: 98 chrysler cirrus, muffler shop, chrysler cirrus

Question
Hello. I have a question about my car. Ive been driving this vehicle for about 4 years now, passed down from my brother. Before i got it, it didnt have any problems with it aside from barrings. I've been recently having problems with it for the past 2 years. Whether it be the tie rod an ball joint or just whats wrong with it now. Im hearing this noise in the front drivers side that sounds like my muffler is falling apart. With this said, i thought that your muffler an all that doing runs in the back of your car. I asked someone about my problem an noise they said that the muffler tube that is attached to the catalytic converter in the engine might either have rusted off or there is a doughnut in it. Now i have no idea what hes talking about, but i do understand that something might have come undone or un attached. Could you tell me if this is right or could it be something that i should just junk the car an get a new one? Im getting sick of putting so much money into this car as it is i might as well get a new one.

Answer
Hi Joelle,
I assume you have the 2.5L V-6 engine, correct?
If so, I would note that there is an exhaust pipe from the front bank of cylinders that is just to the right of the midline of the body and goes under the engine where it joins to the exhaust system of the rear cylinder bank about at the midline just about where the under-dash heater console is located. The two pipes now joined send the exhaust gas through the catalytic converter at the midline just to the right of where you sit and then it moves to the rear along the driver side where the muffler is located at the rear. You could have a leak or deteriorated catalytic converter in the front area of the car based on the sound location.
My suggestion would be to go to a local independent muffler shop (not a nationwide franchise) and ask them to listen to the noise and if they believe it is from the exhaust system then they will lift the car up and show you the source of the noise if is from the exhaust system.
There should be little or no cost for this diagnosis.
It may be a very minor repair so I would not abandon the car until you know for sure what is the problem and how much will be the repair. If it is not the exhaust, then tell me more about the noise such as does it vary with the speed, the rpm of the engine, whether or not you are turning?
Roland
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