Hi Guys. I am another newbie to contend with, but here goes. I own a 2006 touring Z, with 18k on her (I live close to work). Walking out of the house last week and I spy this on her underside. Now I know mufflers get mighty hot after a while of driving, but methinks spotty discoloration is not supposed to happen. Any suggestions? I used search but came up with one posting and no replies. Hoping to have better luck here. Thanks for any help.

 

That's not suppose to happen. Not sure what's causing it...

 

Is that OEM or aftermarket exhaust? If aftermarket, what type?

Looks OEM to me.

Most of the discoloration seems to be heat related, if it looks like rust discoloration from the outside you might have an issue. Inferior welds and poor material cleaning prior to welding can cause slight pitting on stainless that will excellerate discoloration. The exhaust is suppose to be stainless steel throughout and should not be showing rust at all. I have equipment outside year round made from various grades of stainless and none of it has a rust anywhere.

 

Thread moved...

 

dude, i'd be more concerned with the black soot dripping out of your exhaust.

welcome to the oil burning club.

 

Time for new exhaust.

 

that looks aftermarket.. my 06 exhaust looks more dark gray...

 

yea it doesnt look like the oem exhaust

 

Looks like cheap silver spray paint on the stock muffler got burnt.

The stock muffler is supposed to be charcoal black.

Did you buy your car used?

 

Agree. Crummy muffler or crummy paint. It will get worse.

 

Stock exhaust painted for a reason? Maybe the prev owner was going for a Nismo look on a budget?

BTW - is this stick or auto?

 

looks almost like spray paint if you ask me.....Like someone spotted it twice and was like eh this looks like ****. Let me trade it in or something lol

 

looks to me to be the stock exhaust that was painted..........

i think i see the diffuser shroud that mounts in front of the exhaust that the oem has..

-j

 

Normal

 

Thanks guys. In answer to your questions, exhaust is oem, the car was bought used with only 8k on her, it is an auto......and I'm screwed?

 

Definately a OEM replacement, I just went and looked at my OEM exhaust in my basement and did a little searching on this forum and 2 others and all the mufflers from nissan have that flat black coating on the outside all the way around... What you probably have is an OEM replacement "not" made by nissan. Therefore the quality of the materials is unknown as well as the quality of it's constuction. My best guess is that this is a cracked weld in the piping within the silencer and the escaping heat has caused the discoloration on the outside. Is there any raspiness? Previous owner or dealership took the cheap route to fixing a dented or broken exhaust it looks like.

 

With that being said.......

OPTIONS:
1. if your not hardcore into modding, a stock exhaust can be had for cheap if not free from your local my350z buds, go to a few meets ask around on the local forum to you, etc............even check your local junk yard.

2. Go aftermarket - go big or go home....

Screwed........NO, but until you replace it your Z will be driving around with a CA-CA stain......the bad kind of skid marks........

d-end....
-J

 

I don't think its a replacement. Its a perfect match to a real Nissan muffler. The bend radiuses, spot welds, hangers, brackets are all Nissan.

To me, it looks like the stock muffler with cheap silver spray paint on it.

It was probably just the prior owner looking for some ghetto bling.

 

I have the same blackend tips problem is there any other signs?

 

LMAO!! CACA STAIN!...DOO-DOO LOVE!