Front exhaust pipe gone bad?

[Mokkema]

Hey, quick question regarding my exhaust...

My car has sounded rather loud lately, I guess you would compare it to having a hole in my exhaust type sound, just wayyy to loud for a camry...and it was buggin the hell outta me so I brought it into midas the other day, apparently its, or so they told me, the "front exhaust pipe' right after the manifold thats broken, and he says they break on camrys ALL THE TIME. Has anyone else had this happen? He says it can be fixed for $200, but I'm wondering if it happens all the time, does anyone else know of a better price? Btw I have a 95 4cyl LE (gen3.5) Thanks in advance!

[qapmaz]

This is a very common problem. $200.00 for this repair is not bad. If you don't agree call the dealer and get a quote. You probably get a quote around $700.00.

[']['R][) camry]

it is probably the Flex couplink.... $100-200 to fix it

[dbruce]

I have a Gen2 and the Flex pipe broke around 150,000 miles. Total cost to fix ran around $300 for the pipe and labor. Once the pipe goes completely you have all the engine noise shooting right out of the hood. The ear plugs I had in the car saved me from getting a headache on the 2 hours left on my trip home.

I have a v6 which probably accounts for the added cost. The 100 to 200 is a good price.

[nort0188]

My Y-Pipe went bad around 150k miles as well... I got a stock replacement from Bosal for around $150-175 and did the install myself. Biggest problem was those damn heat shields, but if you're getting it done at a shop, that's their problem. Good luck.

[Mokkema]

Ok cool, I'm gonna get that done, i'll let them deal with it. That will definatly make my car quiet again right? I dont even remember the last time my car didn't sound like a beater lol (its not a beater, it looks perfect lol)

[Durrby]

happened to me too...flex pipe...$80 to fix it for me.

[Deep]

If given the choice, use a quality flex pipe, Midas is notorious for fitting crappy parts and making you come back every 2 years.

My dad's car had an exhaust leak so he took it Midas, they put it up and said that everything was bad, front to back and gave him a 600 estimate and said the muffler would have a lifetime warranty (its a scam.) He brought it home, I parked it half on the curb, crawled under and there was a hole in the resonator. So we went to the dealer, bought a resonator and 2 clamps for 90, came home and changed it in the garage. Everything lasted 8 years until he scrapped the car, though Midas would've had him replace everything, probably twice.

[Mokkema]

So your saying i should buy a flex pipe or a front pipe through toyota...and have midas fit that? Or what...and is a flex pipe and front pipe the same thing...

[Deep]

flex pipe=front pipe. Price the Toyota one, and if its within budget, grab it. If not, get something from somewhere else besides Midas, find a better shop too.

[dbruce]

If you have a impact wrench (electric or otherwise) you can remove the pipe yourself and replace it. If not, you can try to force off the bolts.

The last option is to bring it to a quick change place (other then Midas since they do blow) and have them replace it with a weld crunch version.

Getting the part yourself and installing it is the best way to go.

[Mokkema]

yeah, I'm not an idiot or anything, and I'm sure me and a buddy could figure it out...but is there anything special I should know about installing one...and if possible, can you lead me in the right direction of purchasing a new pipe. Thanks everyone so far

[dbruce]

Depends on your price range.

With www.auto-parts.com you can find a used pipe. Using www.rockauto.com may have a new pipe in stock.

Otherwise your local autoparts store. Don't forget the gaskets.

[Mokkema]

Ah cool, gotcha. Should probably get a list of exactly what I need...I definatly don't need to be messing this up anymore than it already is...sounds like a damn HARLEY! (ok maybe im exadurating) lol

[Kappa]

i got mine fixed today on my 95 camry le (176k) it was only $65 for a new flexpipe installed. the dealer wanted 700.