Newbie questions about exhaust systems.
06-16-2002, 03:01 PM
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Newbie questions about exhaust systems.
I just discovered last night as I was driving home that my exhaust pipe is cracked %80 around the diameter of the pipe. The worse part is that it's cracked right where the pipe meets the muffler. I've started looking at the various online stores for a stainless steel replacement and am getting confused by the names and terminlogy (cat-back, test pipe, etc.) Is there somewhere on-line where I can go to help me figure out what all these things are? Thanks. <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
06-16-2002, 03:22 PM
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The cat back includes the muffler and the inlet and outlet pipes. A test pipe is for the center section of your exhaust system (AKA a catalytic pipewith the catalytic converter)that connects your exhaust manifold to your cat back. It seems that you need to have your's repaired or buy a new cat back system. BTW, a "test pipe" is the center section of your exhaust system with the catalytic converter deleted. Good Luck.
06-16-2002, 06:05 PM
#3
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"The worse part is that it's cracked right where the pipe meets the muffler."
This is a stress riser crack caused my misalignments of the hangers, resulting in one section of the exhaust flexing more than another. For example, pound a nail halfway into a board then wiggle the free end. Where does it break?
If your piping and muffler is in good shape, any muffler shop would be able to weld up that crack and adjust your hangers so the exhaust is evenly supported. Shouldn't cost more than $50.
This is a stress riser crack caused my misalignments of the hangers, resulting in one section of the exhaust flexing more than another. For example, pound a nail halfway into a board then wiggle the free end. Where does it break?
If your piping and muffler is in good shape, any muffler shop would be able to weld up that crack and adjust your hangers so the exhaust is evenly supported. Shouldn't cost more than $50.
06-17-2002, 06:48 PM
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I took the car to Cole Muffler and the mechanic threw it up on the rack and said he would try to weld it back together for me. Twenty minutes later, he managed to weld it back together, but recommended that I get it replaced soon. He said that one area was getting soft and he had a lot of trouble welding around there. He said it should hold for a while but not to rely on it holding forever. He checked the hangers and tightened things up and sent me on my way. In the end, he didn't charge me anything, but I felt bad for him and gave him a twenty for his time. Thanks guys for all your help! Looks like it's time for me to start saving up for a new exhaust system. 
