Hi I have a 2006 XC 90 V8, 103,000 miles. I bought it from a used car dealer last July and still is running great. When I took it for a test drive, I noticed that on acceleration (pushing hard on the gas pedal) it sounded like it had glass pack mufflers on it, which it doesnt. I believe it has the original exhaust system, which is stainless steel I think. I put the car up on ramps and inspected the exhaust, no leaks. I noticed that there was a thin steel skin around the actual muffler that was partially broken and hanging down for the muffler.
My question is; What is the purpose of the extra skin around the stainless steel muffler? Is it's function a resonator?

 

Are you talking about the center muffler? It isn't stainless steel and it sounds like yours is rusted apart and needs replacement.

 

yes, the muffler. It still shines like chrome. Very solid. I put the car on ramps and checked the exhaust, no leaks at all. This was this sheet steel that I pulled off that was around the muffler itself.

 

On the 2006 Volvo XC90 specs and equipment list, the exhaust is stainless steel

 

Got a picture of what you pulled off? The center muffler is common to rust apart like that, I see it all the time.

 

The pictures aren't that clear, but the first photo is the muffler. You can see it is intact and still shiny silver. The second photo is the covering that covered the
muffler. The covering is separate from the muffler. You can see on the second photo on the covering, it looks like fastener that attached to the muffler. The bottom
of the muffler is dimpled where it was fastened.

 

Yep, the outer shell rusted off. Seen it many times.

 

But the muffler is fine, no leaks very strong. It should be good for quit a while,,, no?

 

it may last a bit longer. Your on notice, change it soon or wait til it falls off. Your choice.

 

It will last some time. I always give my customers the option of paying a little to cut it off once it starts coming apart or a lot to replace it. Most cut it off.

 

That is good to know. I always go over my vehicles before I take them for inspection so I know what I'm dealing with. If it needs brakes, rotors etc. I replace them before I go. If a muffler or tailpipe need replaced I usually replace them both at the same time. I was looking online how to replace the exhaust on a 2006 xc90. Looks like you only need to disconnect the front where it connects to the cat, and replace the entire exhaust. from there.
What about the sound? It has a low deep tone on acceleration but very smooth. Idling, it's very quiet. You think it's from the outer shell on the middle muffler removed? I test drove several xc90's before I bought this one. It is a V8, the other V8's had a similar tone but not as deep. As I said earlier, sounds like the older muscle cars with glass pack mufflers.