I had my car taken in for inspection Wednesday. Since I really maintain my 91 SE religiously, I thought I would be out of the shop real fast and cheap.

It turned out that my muffler had rust holes and the resonator pipe also had some holes. The mechanic also advised me to replace the front flex pipe. Basically, everything was replaced except the catalytic conv.

He charged me $550 plus tax. But now when I drive I can hear a hiss (like a snake) coming from the front only when the gas is depressed.
There is also a burnt smell that comes from the car after driving it around and parking it.

My question is $550 reasonable amount? And what could that burnt smell be?

Thanks.

 

tranny? cat?

 

Roughly for that price, you could get a performance exhaust, so if that includes installation, then you probably are looking at a bargain. As for the smell, I'd speculate that if the parts are new, maybe it's some kind of coating or glazing on the exhaust that's burning off. But I'm just speculating and could be wrong.

 

If you only hear the sound when accelerating, it's probably an exhaust leak. If it's not too bad, it may seal itself up once some rust & crud builds up in the connections of your new system. If it's real loud, I'd take it back and have the guy check it out.

 

I hear a hissing very faint when my car is at idle in park. I think it sounds pretty cool its really really faint but I hear it but only at idle in park. I also get a burnt smell after driving my car when I get out of it and it smells nasty but I looked under my car and something was leaking on my flex pipe and exhaust pipe. Could it be that the rear oil seal is gone and is leaking or maybe the oil filter isnt on too tight?? Its boggling me and irritating me because I dont want my car to catch on fire while rdriving and smelling some burning smell?? Do you all have any suggestions??

 

Hissing sound may be the exhaust manifold studs. I was actually in the same boat at you when I first got my car. Needed the front pipe and rear pipe & muffler. The total cost me under $400. I ordered the replacement parts and had my local mechanic put them on for me. All that was left eas the "hissing" of the exhaust manifold. I guess I got what I paid for because now, the rear pipe is rusted out and broke at the muffler. Now I need a new muffler and b pipe and it hasnt been two years... time to upgrade.

 

for 550 dollars you could gotten a complete performace exhaust system.. even a new cat.. the hiss you hear is most likely a exhaust leak. and exhaust leak smells like a light burning smell.. almost like burning plastic. so the leak is before the cat converter. because after the exhaust pass's thru the cat then the exhause should smell kinda sweet and gasous.

so if it smells kinda burnt like plastic then its before the cat.. so your leak is probably before the cat.. anywhere near the manifolds or even on ur stock ypipe

 

ok never mined then if the hissing is in the frnt then it dosnt pertain to my car/ my hissing is from the back sounding like there is some pressure from the gas tank or maybe the pipe. its really nice to hear

 

I'm just glad that I live in a state that doesn't require inspections. I've heard horror stories from all you folks!!!

 

I think its a fuel pump or something. I love it too

 

burnt smell is normal for new exhaust. it will go away. also, depending on how he cut his pipe, will determine how long it'll smell. Redline quoted me 80 dollars to hang and bend 2 1/2 pipe from the cat back. then just buy a y pipe and a muffler and you're set. actually, he might do a Y pipe for me as well. Said about 140 bucks for that . . .

 

Well this was the breakdown on the work he did:

1 Front Flex Pipe------$242
1 Resonator Pipe-------$89
1 Dual Tip Muffler-----$79
2 Chrome Tips----------$14
Labor to install this--$110
---------
Total $534 (Gaskets/Clamps were free)


After I had the work done, I was itchy to find out what others were charging in my area. I called up and found these prices. $800(Firestone), $625(Meineke).

If the burnt smell is normal, what bout the hissing sound? I think I'll take the car back and ask him to check for leaks.

It just was a shock for me since I never paid that much for any repair since I owned the damn thing.

Thanks.

 

I wouldn't say the burning smell is normal... I didn't have a burning smell when I got a new muffler...

 

muffler is in back, flex pipe is in front, if it doesn't go away then worry. . . . new exhaust has to break in.

 

FYI,WSP non-mandrel y-pipe, with lined flex and dyno proven gains==$195
Our mandrel aluminized pipe is only $225. OE y-pipes are known power robbers because of their design. Ours are as quiet as stock, with a stock muffler and b-pipe.
Also, b-pipe shipment will be in in a day or so, we think they will be going fast as many are already sold, we have aluminized and 304SS.

WarpSpeedPerformance.com 1-866-801-9338

Dan WSP

 

Thank You!!

 

How much is a B-pipe? I need one desperately

 

I finally found the reason for the hissing.

I drove my mechanic crazy after he tried many fixes for my hissing problem. My entire exhaust system (less the cat) was replaced recently.

It turned out the only thing that solved the problem was NISSAN gaskets on the Y-pipe connections.

I hope that this will help future hissing issues on the exhaust.

 

Have you considered that your valve covers/gasket might be leaking?

S.

 

I found the problem. The mechanics used the gasket that came with the new flex pipe. I took the car back and insisted that he install Nissan gasket, which solved it.