Header noise won't stop. help?

[almightyfargoth]

I have a 2002 Honda Accord EX sedan with the F23A1 VTEC engine. It has 4-2-1 stainless steel headers, stock catalytic converter, a magnaflow catback exhaust and an AEM V2 cold air intake. The headers aren't DC Sports or anything popular. The problem is the car makes this noise when the engine is revved or accelerates to anything past 2500 rpm. It sounds like its coming from the headers. Its very noticable inside the car as well. The sound is best described as a zipping or buzzing sound. You only really hear the noise when you hit the gas enough to make it but it doesn't continue as the rpm's fall. I did take the car back to the people who installed everything and they had a look at it and told me that I should just buy DC Sports headers and that would take care of it. Maybe its the flex pipe. Maybe they're right and just buying new headers would do it but if anybody has heard of this happening or knows a way for it to be fixed without having to spend like $500-$600 on new headers please let me know.

 

[dynasty]

i think your header or exhaust is leaking air. my best bet would be, your gasket is probably broken. if not, the flex pipe could also be one of the problem. i had mine replaced because i went 40mph on a speedbump which i didn't see (stupid biotch) and yeah, it hit my exhaust pipe and broke my gasket. fixed it and sound better but missing a bolt from my header to exhaust pipe. -_-

 

[almightyfargoth]

damn that must have been some jolt you felt when it hit. Yeah i've stuck my head under the car and had my friend rev it and it sounds like its coming from the area of where the downpipe meets the cat so its either the flex pipe or the flange of the cat. Its bad when the reputable tuner shop that installed them tells me to just replace them and offers no other explaination.

 

[5spdcoupe]

Hey! I just recently developed the exact same problem, except at about 3k rpms. I did the same rev test and its definately from under the car, near the cat. I installed the header myself and they never made this sound for 1000s of miles but just started now, I'm gonna go under my car tomorrow and try to figure out whats goin on. Sounds like a high speed rattle to me, possibly rubbing between the flex pipe and cat, I'll let u know if I find out what the problem is tomorrow.

 

[almightyfargoth]

Sounds good man. If its a quick fix or something to replace that would be awesome to finally get info on. You know that noise is annoying as hell haha

 

[5spdcoupe]

Alright well I got under my car today to fix a few things but the header noise wasn't one of them... believe it or not it just eventually has disappeared. I looked anyways and I couldn't find any leaks or anywhere it might be shaking. So I don't know what to say lol, just wait it out till it stops or settles in (or whatever fixed it).

P.S. It may be the heat shield on the cat, I didn't wanna touch it cuz it was really hot.

 

[almightyfargoth]

Well i'll have to check it out tomorrow before I go out and see if its the cat shield.

 

[5spdcoupe]

Ok well I thought the noise was gone but it decided to come back today. I dunno when I'll have the time to get under there again but if you're gonna check it out make sure you check the shield on the cat thoroughly(when its cold!). Definately don't buy new headers man, we'll figure out whats goin on here

 

[almightyfargoth]

Yeah i'm not even gonna start the car until i take it off and then I'll wear heavy duty gloves. If you have a chance take yours off and see what happens. Remember the gloves dude.

 

[accordman1]

I am experiencing the same kind of thing lately. I bought a pair of headers like 2 years ago and they leaked bad. So I bought a pair of obx ceramic ones and they were installed professionally. I did not hear anything but now I do hear something kinda sounds like a leak but not close to as bad as my other ones. I cant hear it at high speeds only when I put my foot down after taking off not to fast. I might have a bad flex pipe since its rusted under there pretty bad from salt I am guessing in the winter. Anyone know what it is I got a full skunk 2 exhaust system stock cat.