Header pipe broken at flex

[unclekafka]

My 96 Camry has 136,000 miles, new tires, and a history of almost non-existent problems. My wife is the primary driver and she logs less than 5000 miles per year. I wish my other machines ran this well. However, when I took the Camry in for normal servicing at the dealership last week, the tech told me that the header pipe is broken at the flex and that the cost of replacing the broken pipe is $900. He also told me that I could leave the pipe as is with no serious consequences. The only issue, according to the tech, is that the pipe has a sensor that detects engine malfunction and causes the engine light on the dash to come on as a warning. Apparently, the sensor is why replacement is so costly. But what kind of warning did he mean? I am mostly worried about safety issues, particulary fumes that might put my wife or her passengers in danger. If there is a safety issue, I will get the thing fixed immediately. Otherwise, I could leave it as is or I could look around for a muffler shop to replace the pipe at lower cost. I don't care about the engine light unless it signals an actual danger or something else of a serious nature. Advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Kafka

[Toysrme]

The only real problem is that you'll never pass an emession test - if you have them.
Go to a muffler shop. They cut the flex sextion off & weld a $20 new section back on. They'll try to run that cost up. You can buy flex pipe on ebay.

I assume you're talking about the v6. A completely new custom y-pipe should cost $250-300. About the only easy way to gain 10-15bhp on the engine.
At 136,000 miles I'm sure your cat doesn't work well anyway. I would have that replaced with a larger high-flow unit. That's another $40 on ebay (Just make sure it is a real cat, and not just a hollow pipe).

Your o2 sensors have probably had poor response for years too. I would either replace them now, or get ready to buy new ones definately in the enxt few years.










The fumes are not going to hurt anything, less you live in the car. Think of it more like driving a car from the 70's.

[amerikim]

Just drive around the exhaust stores around your town. $900 is bull byproduct.