exhaust leak

[97vulcan]

I've got an exhaust leak now that just seems to get worse. I'm guessing it's the flex pipe, as it looks like it's been welded over and over near the front of the flex pipe. Is this an expensive part? and if I could get someone to weld it for me, would it be pretty straight forward?

Thanks,
Adam

[fenixus]

i paid $150 for flex pipe repair at local muffler shop. they need to weld the new one in place. not a big deal. it takes 15 mins to get it done.

although flex pipe can brake also because of bad/worn engine mounts on bottom of engine you should inspect all of them closely (front mount, rear mount, top rod and the transmission mount). they may need replacement as well. if one of them goes then there is a good chance all of them are in bad shape.

[kei_kusanagi]

Also just a heads up, that one thingy on the flex pipe that looks like stitches, make sure you get a new one because you really cant tell if it's also leaking or not until you actually use it. Mines leaking and it sounds like a muscle car but there is no tears that I can see. @_@ need to replace it.

[ShawnD93Toy]

lol you paid 150 for just the flex part? wow, some shops are scam artists.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Magna...ht_3913wt_1035

And bosal also makes OEM replacements, I have their replacement for my v6 front pipe. Not the cleanest welds but they are solid.

Amazon

Amazon

If you know a good mechanic personally you can also get cheap labor on the install

[fenixus]

yeah that's what i paid for part & labor with 1yr warranty.

[ShawnD93Toy]

I think I ended up paying 200ish for the front pipe on my v6 and labor, my friend gives me good pricing lol Big al's wanted 700 just for the front pipe, bunch of scam artists.

[hdninja]

i got mine fixed on a 99 camry 4cyl at a local shop for like 70-80 dollars. so deff dont pay more than 100

[fenixus]

hmmm, need to re-check the bill, not sure 100% but maybe there was also something else on it. will post back after work. if they charged me double for that I won't go there anymore.

EDIT:
so the total bill is for $200 and it's the flex pipe and A/C check which was done at same time. though i'm pretty sure they mentioned $150 for a flex pipe alone...

[ShawnD93Toy]

Whatever you do just don't patch it, they don't last at all and it is just poor thinking.

[97vulcan]

so they can just replace the flex pipe and weld it in place of the old one? Not sure about the lower mounts, however I know the dogbone one is in bad condition.

[fenixus]

yes essentially that's what they do

if your dog bone is cracked then i would replace bottom mounts as well. that's what i did after first replacing the dog bone (with minimal improvement a idle). bottom ones appeared to be worn/loose as well which also caused the flex pipe to become torn open.

i also replaced the transmission mount, but for some reason i suspect they screwed it up as last vibrations i got still at idle come from that area again over time.