RIP

EGADS! My daughter just called from 200 miles away at college and said a repair shop wants $1000+ to replace a broken exhaust pipe just below the cat converter. Says it runs all the way back to the muffler. That includes the pipe, hangers and gaskets. Sound reasonable?

They want another $1300 to replace all 4 motor mounts which they say made the pipe snap. For now I would go with just fixing the exhaust but even that seems pricy. Anyone had any experience with this pipe breaking below the cat? How tough would it be for a shop to make a custom piece just long enough to fix the break? Is there an easier/cheaper fix?

Mike Gerber

I have never had to replace that pipe, but it sounds really high to me. Why not call around to dealers in your area and get a price on the part from the parts department and maybe try the service department side and ask them their price for the labor to replace it. You may even try a couple of independant muffler shops in your area for prices. This will give you a better idea of whether the price is reasonable or not.

If the broken pipe is not hanging on the ground, your daughter could drive the car the 200 miles home. If it is hanging, can she or a boyfriend crawl under there and use a coat hanger or a piece of wire to temporarily get it off the ground and then drive it home? The car will make a lot of noise, but it shouldn't hurt anything.

Just a couple of thoughts.

Mike

RIP

I called my local dealer and they want $818 for the forward pipe (it's not just one section back to the muffler). The estimate looks legit. Seems the car has two cat converters on it and one is on the forward pipe which explains the high cost. Told my daughter to go to Meineke and Midas tomorrow to see if they can replace just the broken section of the pipe. Hope it's within their capability. The pipe isn't hanging. Should be ok to drive it. She can't drive home right now. The pisser is I was just there (San Diego) 3 days ago. Thanks for the response Mike.

I'm wondering if exhaust shops are well aware of this pipe breaking at the cat on Camrys and have a cheaper fix because I've read quite a bit about motor mounts going bad on this forum. Guess I'll find out tomorrow.

Mike Gerber

"I'm wondering if exhaust shops are well aware of this pipe breaking at the cat on Camrys and have a cheaper fix because I've read quite a bit about motor mounts going bad on this forum. Guess I'll find out tomorrow."


You never know. I would call around yourself in your area. I would also try an independant muffler shop, if you can find one in the area. I have one near me and he does things like that. He saved the cat on an 82 Chrylser LeBaron for me 20 years ago for $30 when everyone else wanted to replace the cat for $300 plus back then. He has done my exhaust system work ever since then.

Good luck.

Mike

AccordCodger

Meineke and Midas are not, IMHO, a good bet for this. Far from doing only what's necessary, they are liable to INFLATE the list of things that need to be done.

ProMan

$1300 seems tripled the price. Shop around. There isn't much labor for an exhaust job. The price of the parts should be the main cost. If the shop charges more than a dealer, walk away. They are trying to rob you.

I agree, Midas is not like what it is 10 years ago. They were honest at that time. But not anymore. They just like ordinary shops, give you scary stories and long list. I had experience in a Midas shop that the mechanic pretended a part is stuck and showed me and threw out BS to force me to replace it. Unfortunately, I knew he needs a special tool to turn that part.....


Good luck.

RIP

It's fixed! First I agree with all. Meinike and Midas were a last resort because she had to have the car for work and school fast. Meineke gave her a $540 esimate and insisted she needed the whole forward pipe changed. I knew that was bull. I found a mom & pop shop on the internet. They replaced just the broken section which was 12 inches of pipe and a new flange at the forward cat converter connection for $95 in about an hour. They said the rest of the pipe was in great shape. I'll tackle the motor mounts later. If you're in San Diego and need exhaust work done go to ACE Muffler on National Ave. They are honest and do great work. Thanks for all the replies. Cheers!