Topic: Muffler / Exhaust Replacement - Is MufflerMan ripping me off ?!? [PHOTOS]

[quantass]

I own a 1993 Nissan Sentra Classic. The muffler is shot and MufflerMan here in London Ontario quoted me $400 for its replacement. The parts needing replacement:

Resonator/Pipe Assembly = $150
Extension Pipe = $40
Muffler = $112
Exhaust Gasket = $13
Exhaust Gasket #2 = $9
Exhaust Clamp = $4
Exhaust Shop Supplies = $10
Labor = $80

Now i know nothing about car repair but would like to start taking a more hands on approach to solving these problems. On visual inspection, to me the only thing needing replacement is the muffler itself and extension clamp (and possibly the extension pipe).  Here are some snapshots of my exhaust system:

** Here are a couple images:

(Muffler - Clamp - Extension Pipe)
See large image: http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/quantass/Car/Muffler_ExhaustClamp_ExtensionPipe.jpg


(Catalytic Converter - Gasket - Resonator/Pipe Assembly)
See larger image: http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/quantass/Car/Catalytic_ResonatorPipe.jpg

** See all exhaust system photos at:
http://s237.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/quantass/Car/

The mechanic only expressed changing everything from the tail-pipe up to (but not including) the cataltic converter. My question:

1. From the photos is it ok to simply replace the muffler and connecting gaskets and skip the replacing of the expensive resonator/pipe assembly?  For example within the above images (see: Catalytic_ResonatorPipe.jpg)  is this ok for the resonator pipe or does it actually require changing?  There are no holes or exhaust fumes escaping anywhere along the pipe or at the gasket connection.  The noise and put-put when accelerating is only coming from the muffler unit.

2. Is there some affordable place to purchase exhaust system parts for my vehicle within the London Ontario area?

Thanks.

[dr_spock]

You could try to get a second opinion at Midas or Speedy.   

[wing]

Once they try to get that clamp off everything will need replacing as it will all be rusted to crap.

[HeliDriver]

 

$400 doesn't seem unreasonable to replace everything from the cat back, and do you really want to have to go through this again next year when the other components finally rust through and need to be replaced? It's not like the resonator is brand-new, after all.

May as well just bite the bullet now, and be done with it.

[barrie1]

Quantass go to see Tommy at Daleco Motors which is licated at the tracks on 2nd street. He has the 3 bays on the east side of the shop. He is very honest and does do really good work for a lot less then any other Muffler shop in town. I either send or take around 6-8 cars a year there and if you give me a PM I will tell you what to say to him and the kinda secret trick to dealing with him. Mufflerman is the most expensive shop in London in case you didn't realize.  No-body in the know deals there at all. 

[quantass]

If i wanted to buy parts in London Ontario where would i go for the reonator/pipe asembly? How much does such a part typically cost?

barrie1, i sent you a PM.  Thanks for the info.

[carburator]

Hey quant__! you are a cheap !@#$. you gonna nickle and dime these guys? The whole darn car needs replacement. Why not show us a picture of that?

You could try to get a second opinion at Midas or Speedy. 

Haaa Haaaaa Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!  WHen I was a youngster, I went into Midas to have my muffler replaced (6 year old car). They assessed the car and told me that the catalytic converter would definitely need replacement too because when they were going to do the muffler, the cat. converter would be damaged too because the clamps of the muffler were rusted to it. so I learned my lesson about MIDAS.

[PJungnitsch]

At the end of undergrad my truck was getting pretty noisy and I got the '400.00 replace everything' quote too. Of course it was probably the best thing but with an old vehicle and little money to go around I checked into other options. Turned out Canadian Tire sold exhaust systems piece by piece, so much for each section. They also rented the cutting tool for free (that 4 disc deally) and of course had all the adapters, clamps, etc as needed.

So I crawled underneath the truck in the CT parking lot, cut out the rotten bit, spliced the new piece in and was on my way. That was over four years ago, it's still holding up fine. Checking back into the records the muffler, rear exhaust pipe, gasket and various fittings cost me about eighty bucks.

[articsteve]

From the photos is it ok to simply replace the muffler and connecting gaskets and skip the replacing of the expensive resonator/pipe assembly?

Absolutely.

Is there some affordable place to purchase exhaust system parts for my vehicle within the London Ontario area?

Canadian Tire.  What you need is an exact fit muffler that has the corresponding hanger fitting.  That is critical since you can't weld.

Just after the muffler in your photo is a clamp.  On the engine side of that clamp is where you cut the pipe straight thru.  A grinder with a cutting wheel is the easiest.  Hacksaw possible but hard work.  What you will end up with is 2 open diameters (one on the muffler inlet and one from the existing pipe).  They will be different sizes.  Crappy Tire sells short connecting pipes with varying diameters on each end.  Find one that fits both pipes and install clamp on each one and your done.

The big muffler chains always go for the whole deal to maximize profit.

[wing]

^ that works, I had issues with leaking though, nothing a lot of muffler cement didn't fix though.

[dr_spock]

I fixed a leak in my old Sentra's exhaust just behind the muffler with muffler tape, a piece of Coke can and a couple of metal straps.   It was good for a year until the pipe completely rusted through and the muffler fell off. 

I went to Midas and got a new muffler put on.  The pipe between the muffler and cat was also replaced as it was in pretty sad shape.  I don't recall them trying to sell me a new cat though. 

That 1988 generation of Sentra sure know how to rust well.   

[barrie1]

Quantass I have sent you a reply which I think you will like. Not all shops are greedy like Midas or Mufflerman and Canadian tire is still too much in my opinion as well. You know how to deal there now and what to say as I know you will be pleased when you visit him. He worked at Mieneke for years so he is extremely well trained and a great person to meet also. Let us know how it goes at his shop. 

[quantass]

Thank you all for the excellent responses!

I'm curious.  After getting my new muffler installed I would like to prolong its life as long as possible.  Is there anything wrong with coating the muffler and other new parts with paint (at least heat resistant paint) ?  It seems the parts are failing exclusively from rust and so if i can prolong its life with a coating of paint every xx months then why not.

Your thoughts on a cheap solution.

[DockMan]

I've gotta think a new muffler will outlive the rest of your car, without any coatings or paint.

[safristi]

 ....

[initial_D]

Don't know of any paint that can stay on an exhaust systems, they get way too hot for anything to stick on.

[safristi]

...pawned!!!!! ya old broker...

[articsteve]

Your muffler rots from the inside out.  The moisture created by the motor is what rots the muffler.  That is why the muffler is the first to go due to the fact that the muffler never gets as hot as the rest of the system and does retain moisture on short trips or in sub zero weather.

The only time one paints the muffler is to blend it in with the under carriage.

[barrie1]

By the time this muffler rots out you will be ready and probably already have another vehicle by then. The repairs from Tommy should last you at least 5-8 years so don't worry about painting it as its not worth it at all.