2000 Camry, 4 Cyl. FLEXI-PIPE / CATALYTIC CONVERTOR / EXHAUST QUESTION

[RavenHawk]

I have a 2000 Camry, with 4 cylinders, which has about 130,000 miles on it.

There is a lot of noise coming out from around the engine, and some exhaust smell coming into the car. I got under the car and I can't find any holes at all, by I can feel some exhaust escaping from the flexi-pipe (that's what I've seen it called on some other threads on here).

So, it seems that I need to replace the flexi-pipe. Looking through threads on here, I saw people saying you can get a place like Midas to weld on a new pipe for about $150. Replacement of the whole section at a dealer would be about $1100 or $1300. Now, going on the Autozone website, they sell an aftermarket catalytic convertor with, I'm assuming, the flexi-pipe, for my car for $260.

Looking under the car, it looks like there are 3 bolts in front and two in back holding it in place. Is this right? Should I just buy a whole new thing for $260 and replace it myself, with just those 5 bolts to undo?

Thanks.

[Mike Gerber]

Those 5 bolts will not be easy to undo on a 2000 with 130,000 miles on it, in what is probably an area that uses a lot of road salt during the winter. You will probably need a torch to get them off. I think you are really asking for a headache, trying to do this yourself. I do much of my own work, but when the flexpipe needed to be repalced on my 94 Camry with only 80,000 miles, I let an independent muffler shop do the work. The usuaul repair is just to cut out the flexpipe section and weld in an aftermarket one.

Just my 2 cents.

Mike

[RavenHawk]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

Those 5 bolts will not be easy to undo on a 2000 with 130,000 miles on it, in what is probably an area that uses a lot of road salt during the winter. You will probably need a torch to get them off. I think you are really asking for a headache, trying to do this yourself. I do much of my own work, but when the flexpipe needed to be repalced on my 94 Camry with only 80,000 miles, I let an independent muffler shop do the work. The usuaul repair is just to cut out the flexpipe section and weld in an aftermarket one.

Just my 2 cents.

Mike

Thanks for the input.

Problem is, I don't know shops in this area, so don't know who I can trust. I've been in the area for about 5 years, but in that time have done all my own work, except for some bigger things (belts, water pump, clutch, brake stuff other than just pads), for which I used one local garage, and the dealer, both of whom really did terrible work.

I guess I'm thinking that replacing the pipe for not a ton less than replacing the whole thing doesn't seem to make too much sense, since I may need to replace the catalytic convertor in the next couple years too, right?

I guess I have two questions:
1) Does it seem reasonable that my leak is in the flexi-pipe? Like I said, it feels on my hand like there is exhaust leaking there, but I can't find an actual hole; feels more like the whole thing.
2) Should I try to loosen those 5 bolts myself first, and if they don't come off, then take it to someone?

Thanks again.

[Mike Gerber]

1. Yes. That's where they usually leak up front.
2. Try if you want to. Spray the bolts with a good penetrating oil first and let it soak for a couple of hours. Hopefully, you won't break any of them.

"Problem is, I don't know shops in this area, so don't know who I can trust."

You know from reading threads on this forum that cutting out and replacing the flexpipe with an aftermarket one should cost around $150-$175. Use that price range as your gage when talking to potential independent muffler shops. Try calling around to a few in your area and getting a price over the phone for this job. Also ask if there is a charge to check where the leak is coming from.

Mike

[RavenHawk]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

1. Yes. That's where they usually leak up front.
2. Try if you want to. Spray the bolts with a good penetrating oil first and let it soak for a couple of hours. Hopefully, you won't break any of them.

"Problem is, I don't know shops in this area, so don't know who I can trust."

You know from reading threads on this forum that cutting out and replacing the flexpipe with an aftermarket one should cost around $150-$175. Use that price range as your gage when talking to potential independent muffler shops. Try calling around to a few in your area and getting a price over the phone for this job. Also ask if there is a charge to check where the leak is coming from.

Mike

Will do, all of the above. Thanks for the advice.
I'll go get a pentrating oil today, and then start calling around tomorrow for estimate.
Glad I found this forum. It's my first time using the forums for car advice. In the past I've just used some other ones for motorcycle advice.

Thanks again.