99 Corolla Exhaust Problem

[aaronwood06]

Hello all,
I recently got my car checked out my a mechanic because my muffler sounded loud. I found out that the exhaust manifold gasket is broken and will need to be replaced in order for my car to sound normal.
Also for some reason my car REALLY seems to be hurting on the acceleration department. I'm guessing its from the two reasons below.

I have a bunch of questions:

1. The mechanic told me it would cost around $230. Is this good? (Labor and parts)
2. Would I be better off getting a whole new exahust system? Or will that be over $250?
3. Will I get better MPG if I fix this manifold problem? How about acceleration?


Also just a side question so I dont have to make a new thread:

4. My spark plugs are very old. I need to get them changed. Will I get better acceleration or MPG if I change them?

Thanks much guys!!!!!

[jrcrum]

I'm not sure but think $230 isn't too bad for changing the manifold gasket; it's probably a pretty big job if you DIY. I don't think you'll save any money replacing the exhaust system. The gasket is the cheapest part by far :^) And you won't improve performance or MPG by replacing the gasket, but the car will sound better, and may SEEM to run better for that reason.

It would also be a good idea, while working on the exhaust system, to check the catalytic converter to make sure it (or some other part) isn't stopped up. If the exhaust is obstructed, this can cause poor performance and may also contribute to blowing the manifold gasket. I've seen exhaust pipes with multiple layers where the inside later collapsed and obstructed the pipe, but doubt you have anything like this. But it's worth checking.

Changing the plugs is a good idea if they are very old, but unless they are misfiring already, you won't notice much improvement in acceleration or MPG. Maybe a little.

[aaronwood06]

alright thanks alot for the response!

[aaronwood06]

also, one thing i dont understand....
my girlfriends mazda protoge 98 has about 40% better acceleration than my 99 corolla. why is my acceleration so bad? i thought these two problems would help it but it isnt sounding like it.
what should i do?

[jrcrum]

Why don't you get the exhaust system fixed and checked out, change the plugs, then see how they compare? If you think there's a problem with the car, get your shop guy to hook up his computer diagnostics to it and check it out. It's possible that a 99 Corolla is just inherently slower than a 98 Mazda Protege... My youngest son has a 99 Corolla, and it's not the fastest car on the block but it gets good gas mileage...

[aaronwood06]

okay thank you very much i will call my mechanic tomorrow

[aaronwood06]

if i did want to get a brand new exhaust (lets just say a normal one, not fancy but with a chrome tip) how much more would i have to pay out? and who does new exhaust jobs?

[TenZen]

Originally Posted by aaronwood06

if i did want to get a brand new exhaust (lets just say a normal one, not fancy but with a chrome tip) how much more would i have to pay out? and who does new exhaust jobs?

its all depends on where you go. I would call around some muffler shops in your area. And if there is a Payless Mufflers around there, i would go there. They made me a cat-back exhaust and it was only about 235$ after taxes. But that was made the same muffler i had them put on.

[sushi_kungfu]

Originally Posted by aaronwood06

Hello all,
I recently got my car checked out my a mechanic because my muffler sounded loud. I found out that the exhaust manifold gasket is broken and will need to be replaced in order for my car to sound normal.
Also for some reason my car REALLY seems to be hurting on the acceleration department. I'm guessing its from the two reasons below.

I have a bunch of questions:

1. The mechanic told me it would cost around $230. Is this good? (Labor and parts)
2. Would I be better off getting a whole new exahust system? Or will that be over $250?
3. Will I get better MPG if I fix this manifold problem? How about acceleration?


Also just a side question so I dont have to make a new thread:

4. My spark plugs are very old. I need to get them changed. Will I get better acceleration or MPG if I change them?

Thanks much guys!!!!!

do it yourself. im serious. i went and got quotes of 300+ for fixing that same exact problem. the gasket seal is 24.99 at toyota dealership. i got mines fixed in an hour. it's not that bad at all. dont waste your money on something you can do EASILY! for exhaust system, you can have any shop do you a custom one for under 200. here, i have a shop that did my exhaust for 135. if you buy oem or some aftermarket one, it will cost more. they're both are just as good. your mpg will be better if you get these fixed. air are probably getting out somewhere. my mpg was horrible when i have my exhaust leak and after i got it fixed along with my donut gasket, my mpg was great. as for the acceleration, i dont know. i have a 1999 corolla le 5spd and it's quick enough for me maybe a loose belt? get all those fixed and you shall find out

[sushi_kungfu]

Originally Posted by jrcrum

I'm not sure but think $230 isn't too bad for changing the manifold gasket; it's probably a pretty big job if you DIY. I don't think you'll save any money replacing the exhaust system. The gasket is the cheapest part by far :^) And you won't improve performance or MPG by replacing the gasket, but the car will sound better, and may SEEM to run better for that reason.

It would also be a good idea, while working on the exhaust system, to check the catalytic converter to make sure it (or some other part) isn't stopped up. If the exhaust is obstructed, this can cause poor performance and may also contribute to blowing the manifold gasket. I've seen exhaust pipes with multiple layers where the inside later collapsed and obstructed the pipe, but doubt you have anything like this. But it's worth checking.

Changing the plugs is a good idea if they are very old, but unless they are misfiring already, you won't notice much improvement in acceleration or MPG. Maybe a little.

the manifold gasket is one of the easiest part to replace (besides taking all the other bolts off). it's an hours job. my first time took exactly 1 hour.

[Flashmn]

if your exhaust manifold gasket is leaking, you're getting air inside the exhaust pipe before the o2 sensor, which causes the mixture to get overly rich. Therefor you get bad mileage and bad acceleration.

[aaronwood06]

i just called Midas (I live in Massachusetts) and they said an entire exhaust system is well over 300. i would also think that if my mechanic said that just fixing my exhaust is 230 then a whole new one would be much more. where can i get a exahust or get it fixed cheaper?
if i can find a whole new exhaust for under 200 or 200 even, ill do it.

thanks

[aaronwood06]

this has been resolved.
thank you all.