T4R Running Slightly Louder

[Jeff M]

I've noticed over the past month that my 06' V8 is running a bit louder when driving. Several times I've looked down to be sure I had not dropped it into a lower gear. The RPM's are not higher and the car drives fine. Its just louder. My wife has not been in my car for almost a month noticed it was louder too without me mentioning it to her.

I had it in the shop a few months ago for new CV boots and front shocks but don't see how that would have affected anything.

Any ideas? Exhaust leak possibly? It drives perfectly normal and RPM's are fine but its just louder like I'm in a lower gear. Don't want to take it to Toyota if it something I can do myself.

 

[DC runner]

Louder, in particular on a modern car with sound dampening, almost always comes from the exhaust. Can you tell where it is "louder" from?

Beneath or around you? That might be an exhaust crack/leak that is before the muffler, thus making it sound louder. A cracked manifold can cause this.