Parts for your 2013 Nissan Pulsar-Exhaust mount

2013 Nissan Pulsar exhaust-mount: purpose, care, and when to replace

Yes, the 2013 Nissan Pulsar (C12 hatch and B17 sedan) uses exhaust mounts. Nissan’s Electronic Service Manual for these models lists multiple exhaust “insulators” (rubber hangers) in the EX – Exhaust System section, and the Nissan genuine parts catalogue (FAST) diagrams show hangers supporting the front pipe, centre section, and rear muffler. That means an exhaust-mount is absolutely relevant for this car.

The exhaust-mount’s job is simple but crucial: it suspends the exhaust under the car, isolates vibration, and allows a bit of movement as the system heats, cools, and flexes over bumps. By keeping the pipework centred and off the body, the mounts stop droning, rattles, and metal-on-metal contact that can crack welds or damage the bumper and underbody.

On a 2013 Pulsar, those rubber hangers live hard lives near heat and road grime, so they harden, stretch, or split over time. A quick look during routine servicing pays off. If the muffler looks low, the tailpipe sits off-centre, or there’s a thud over speed humps, chances are a mount is tired.

• Common signs it’s time to replace:
  • Rattling or thumping from the rear on rough roads
  • Sagging muffler or off-centre tailpipe
  • Exhaust tapping the subframe or heat shields
  • Visible cracks, glazing, or excessive stretch in the rubber

Replacement is straightforward with the car safely supported. Let the exhaust cool, support it with a jack stand, then pop the old rubber off the pegs (a spritz of silicone spray helps). Fit quality OEM-equivalent rubber or a high-temp upgrade. Re-seat the system so it’s centred in the bumper cut-out and not touching shields or the body. While there, check brackets for rust and the condition of heat shields and clamps. After refitting, a quick shake test should leave a firm, quiet, free-moving system.

For service intervals, a visual check every service or 20,000 km is sensible. Many owners replace mounts around the 80,000–120,000 km mark, earlier if the car tows, does short trips, or lives near the coast. Roadworthy/WOF inspections in Australia and New Zealand can fail an insecure or contacting exhaust, so staying ahead of perished mounts avoids hassles. As always, if in doubt, follow the procedures and specs in Nissan’s C12/B17 EX section of the service manual or ask a qualified technician.

Popular questions

How many exhaust mounts does a 2013 Nissan Pulsar have and where are they?
Most Pulsars of this generation use several rubber insulators: typically one near the front pipe, one or two around the centre section or resonator, and one at the rear muffler. Exact count and shape can vary between C12 hatch and B17 sedan or with different engine/exhaust packages, but there are usually three to five in total.

What noises point to a failed exhaust mount on a Pulsar?
Listen for a dull thud over bumps, a rattle at idle, or a metallic tapping that changes with road surface. If the tailpipe looks off-centre or the muffler swings by hand more than a few millimetres, the rubber hanger is likely stretched or split.

Are polyurethane exhaust hangers a good upgrade?
They can be. Poly hangers are stiffer, which helps keep the exhaust centred and reduces movement under load. On the flip side, that extra stiffness can increase cabin vibration. Many Pulsar owners stick with quality rubber for comfort, choosing poly only if they’ve had repeated rubber failures or run a heavier aftermarket exhaust.