E350 Droning noise

[arctictraveller]

I had a new muffler installed and the drone was horrendous. I went back the next day and they substituted a different muffler. I’ve never heard a drone sense.

[marret]

Me too on the loud muffler, a “performance” muffler that droned bad. Added a resonator to the tip that helped, but the real solution is cats and a quiet muffler.

[1der]

Yep. You are not alone in the drone

https://www.google.com/search?q=spor...&client=safari

This is one is my favorites:
https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/fo...elp-13197.html

[Houstonredrider]

If not the exhaust, check for the driveshaft. Being out of balance or with worn bearings can cause vibration.

[86Scotty]

Originally Posted by Houstonredrider

If not the exhaust, check for the driveshaft. Being out of balance or with worn bearings can cause vibration.

Having not heard his issue for myself I thought this too at first but he says that was all checked out be a mechanic recently.

[Houstonredrider]

Originally Posted by 86Scotty

Having not heard his issue for myself I thought this too at first but he says that was all checked out be a mechanic recently.

In general I have little faith in mechanics. This one in particular is not able to identify issues, leaving the customer asking to the keyboard warriors of the internet (such ourselves).
I'll still check the driveline: chock front wheels, lift one rear wheel and try turning forward and backwards. Look for the play on the driveline.

If yours is 4x4, check that your front hubs are on "free". Front driveshafts usually have a more pronounced angle and the U-joints do not like to spin fast.

[E350love]

Thanks,I have been going round and round with the muffler shop on this.

[JWA]

Originally Posted by 86Scotty

You have answered your own question. The cats were removed. The drone in every van I've had with a lousy aftermarket exhaust or removed cats was unbearable, just as you describe, and it is worse on throttle, as you describe. When you let off the gas (and coast) it gets a lot quieter.

Put the cats back on. You aren't doing anything without them but poisoning yourself.

I had a '97 E-250 w/5.4 gasser, 212K miles of a hard life when I bought it---had that same drone---I first assumed it was a leaking muffler or other exhaust issue. When presented to the trust exhaust specialist they pointed out the Cat had been removed, a straight tube grafted into the system. Seems the Cats and the resonator tube play an important part in noise control.

I guess Ford et al kinda know what they're doing designing exhaust systems?

[TCNorthwest]

I have the same issue with my E350 with the 7.3 Diesel. My drone started after I made a custom intake. Got worse after I repaired an intake boot. Sound deadening the doghouse helped a bit, but there’s no fixing the fact that the engine is basically in the middle seat.

[winnievan]

What do you mean you’ve been going round and round with the muffler shop?

Try a different muffler — or heck — add a second one where your CATS were….

This happens all the time with exhaust — especially in a vehicle that is basically a cave just waiting to resonate any vibrations.

I may be the minority here — but if you’re trying to get them to “fix” your repair that happened two years ago on their dime… well… that isn’t a winning battle.