Anybody just replace the Flex-pipe section or whole pipe?

[ricamryman]

As of Monday I have noticed that exhaust leak buzzing noise comming from under the front of the car upon pressing the gas pedal. I'm suspecting that the front flex pipe section has developed a leak since the front pipe section is original on my 1993 Camry LE 3VZFE V6 with 146K miles. Should I replace the whole front pipe section with a new bolt in unit or can just the flex pipe section be fixed? .........

[Mike Gerber]

Usually a muffler shop can cut out the old section of the flex pipe and weld in a new one. Dealers usually won't do this; they want you to buy the whole pipe section. A muffler shop will charge about $150 for this repair.

Mike

[71Corolla]

The header/flex pipe can be had for $140 or less new, $10 for gaskets and you'll have a new pipe for the price of a repair. The only issue you might have is getting the bolts off, otherwise the job is actually quite easy.

[RNMCGUIRE]

I just had the flex pipe replaced on my 95 Camry a couple months ago at a muffler shop. It cost me right around $100

[93cr250]

got my complete flex pipe on ebay for $60

[gyjoe]

I replaced the entire flex pipe/catalytic converter with a Bosal from Rock Auto about a year ago. At $160 it wasn't much more than having the old one welded at a shop.

[99Camry99]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

Usually a muffler shop can cut out the old section of the flex pipe and weld in a new one. Dealers usually won't do this; they want you to buy the whole pipe section. A muffler shop will charge about $150 for this repair.

Mike

^ What he said...

[ricamryman]

You guys are gonna laugh at this one! Today I took my Camry to the neighborhood Firestone to have my Firestone WinterForce Snow tires mounted on which I do every Dec 1st. By the way the Camry is an absolute tank in the snow with these tires mounted for the winter months! Camry is better than my F-150 4x4 in the snow with these tires! While on the lift I have them confirm that my Flex-pipe is Fubar! Which it was just like I suspected! For giggles I have them price up the front pipe replacement. See below
Front Exhaust Pipe $494.08
Gasket (2) @ $ 6.99
Gasket (1) @ $7.99
Remove & replace pipe $89.10
Tax @ 6.25% $32.58
Shop Supplies $ 5.35
Total $ 643.08................ Yeah Right!
It gets better, after paying just $43.00 for the snowtire swap including mouting, balancing, & my free alignment for life which I have on both of my vehicles, I go home & order the front complete flex pipe section from E-bay which includes all gaskets + free shipping to my door for $104.95! My local independent Mechanic will probably just charge me maybe 1.5 hours to install! I just have to find the six mounting bolts now!

[fenixus]

I would just replace the flex pipe only, part & labor at any muffler shop should not be higher than $150 for that (with 1yr warranty).

[ricamryman]

Originally Posted by fenixus

I would just replace the flex pipe only, part & labor at any muffler shop should not be higher than $150 for that (with 1yr warranty).

Personally I would rather have a new front pipe with the flex included!....

[tbalon]

Had this done on my 92 4cyl about 5 yrs ago for about $85 at a local muffler shop... If you go this route, get several estimates and make sure they have the correct part as you don't want to put a smaller more restrictive pipe on as they were going to do with me but I stopped them when I noticed it and had them put on a larger one.

[ricamryman]

I odered one today on e bay for my 1993 v6! Its the right pipe!

[ghettosled]

autozone sells just the flex section that is the perfect diameter for about $20. cut out the old and allow for some overlap, slide new flex section into place and use 2 exhaust pipe clamps to hold in place.

[ricamryman]

Originally Posted by ghettosled

autozone sells just the flex section that is the perfect diameter for about $20. cut out the old and allow for some overlap, slide new flex section into place and use 2 exhaust pipe clamps to hold in place.

I'd rather just install the complete front pipe that I ordered with the flex pipe built in. I want a durable repair that I don't have to worry about for another 100K miles.....

[pmesfun]

It would also be a good idea to have your mechanic check the engine mounts.