Exhaust cracks, cheap fix?

SubaSteevo · #1 05-27-2006, 11:47 PM

I have a crack in my exhaust right before the A-pipe meets the 3rd cat, and I'm looking for a way to fix it without having to spend $400 on a new pipe. I know there's putties and clamps and stuff, but do they work, and which is better? Will they pass inspection?

If not, does anyone have a spare exhaust lying around they'd sell cheap?

Or I have a spare exhaust from the 3rd cat back if you want to trade

thundering02 · #2 05-28-2006, 01:13 AM

Subcribe.....Mines done the same thing

Mr. Pockets · #3 05-28-2006, 08:52 AM

I have tried almost all of them and found them to be varying degrees of useless. If you were unscrupulous and wanted to sell a car with an exhaust leak, you might get one of the patches to hold long enough to convince somebody to buy it. Beyond that I wouldn't bet on it. Exhaust systems see massive changes in temperature, they vibrate a lot and they're exposed to the elements.

You might have a local exhaust shop look at the problem and see if they can't weld up something for you.

n00b on demand · #4 05-28-2006, 12:40 PM

Stevo.....go to the auto store and get some muffler weld compound. Just take a glob into ur hands and rub it onto the crack and try to cover it up. Its also known as a patch...which is what Nick mentioned. I put some paste on my crack and it lasted for 3 months during the winter time.

SubaSteevo · #5 05-28-2006, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n00b on demand

Stevo.....go to the auto store and get some muffler weld compound. Just take a glob into ur hands and rub it onto the crack and try to cover it up. Its also known as a patch...which is what Nick mentioned. I put some paste on my crack and it lasted for 3 months during the winter time.

I've heard various things about the patches and pastes, etc so I wanted some actual feedback. I don't believe they'll pass inspection though. I think I'll probably use some, then get one of those exhaust wraps, and then get heat shields to cover it so you can't see it.

Trevor · #6 05-28-2006, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SubaSteevo

I've heard various things about the patches and pastes, etc so I wanted some actual feedback. I don't believe they'll pass inspection though. I think I'll probably use some, then get one of those exhaust wraps, and then get heat shields to cover it so you can't see it.

By way of feedback and not by way of an expansion of gas (Ron will tell all about us old farts.) ---- I have used this sort of stuff with success many moons ago and I am sure there have been improvements since then. The important thing is to apply it with common sense, particularly is respect of a sound surface for it to adhere to. The good stuff now has strengthening glass fibre included. What I used when young and poor incorporated asbestos fibres.

Give it a go I say.

It's Just Eric · #7 05-28-2006, 06:40 PM

Best way to fix them cracks and pinhole leaks is to just drop the exhaust, hack off all that usless heatshielding, and weld all the holes / cracks. Some kind of cheasy patch might hang on there for a while, but your better off doing it right the first time. Besides, while your under there Im sure youll find some other intresting broken things to fix

Speaking of which..I need to do exactly that sooner or later. Im sick of sounding like a honda