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How long should exhaust pipes last?

Old Feb 24, 2012 | 08:14 AM
  #1  
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How long should exhaust pipes last?

About 3-1/2 years ago, I had a bunch of work done on my '95 GLE's exhaust system. It was my understanding that pretty much the whole back half was replaced, so I guess that'd be everything after the catalytic converter, right? Last month, my car suddenly started making a very loud noise while driving. I saw that the cat was hanging by one end, so I took the car off the road as soon as possible. I only just last night had a chance to get a good look at what was going on, and it appears that the pipe has rotted and sheared off right at the point where it meets the cat.

These pictures are taken from next to the rear wheel, pointing toward the front of the car:
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I have a friend coming by today to see if there's anything we can do as a temporary fix, but what's the least expensive safe way to fix this? Can anyone recommend a part? This came up when I searched autozone.com for parts for my car, is there any reason I shouldn't go for this? http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...280429_0_1002_
Old Feb 24, 2012 | 08:55 AM
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Looks like a cheap Walker pipe. Mine did the exact same thing about 3+ years into it.
The correct fix is to replace the B pipe or you'll be chasing failures at each weld as time goes by.
Old Feb 24, 2012 | 09:08 AM
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Same thing happened to my car... salt sucks.
I'd personally replace it with the lifetime warranty bosal for ~$150 if you can afford it.

Just make sure you also buy the 2 flange gaskets (if you hadn't already taken them into account).
Cat to B-pipe
B-pipe to muffler

Last edited by BenL; Feb 24, 2012 at 09:13 AM.
Old Feb 24, 2012 | 09:56 AM
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BenL, is this the one you're talking about? http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...236856_0_1903_
Old Feb 24, 2012 | 10:01 AM
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Originally Posted by agmetal
BenL, is this the one you're talking about? http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...236856_0_1903_
Exactly the one I'm talking about.
Old Feb 24, 2012 | 10:03 AM
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Those bolts on the flange look like they'll be a ton of fun to get off. Is it likely that I'll need to replace the catalytic converter, also?

And perhaps the most important question...other than the noise, is there any danger in driving the car in this condition? I've had it off the road for over a month now, because I haven't been able to spare the cash to fix it, and I'm getting frustrated not having my car available.
Old Feb 24, 2012 | 10:13 AM
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Originally Posted by agmetal
Those bolts on the flange look like they'll be a ton of fun to get off. Is it likely that I'll need to replace the catalytic converter, also?

And perhaps the most important question...other than the noise, is there any danger in driving the car in this condition? I've had it off the road for over a month now, because I haven't been able to spare the cash to fix it, and I'm getting frustrated not having my car available.

U can drive the car fine like this. But, as shown in the pic, everything is jus hanging so u may want to try somehow to prop it up
Old Feb 24, 2012 | 10:15 AM
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Originally Posted by agmetal
Those bolts on the flange look like they'll be a ton of fun to get off. Is it likely that I'll need to replace the catalytic converter, also?

And perhaps the most important question...other than the noise, is there any danger in driving the car in this condition? I've had it off the road for over a month now, because I haven't been able to spare the cash to fix it, and I'm getting frustrated not having my car available.
I drove my car around with just the catted y-pipe for about a year (had literally no money to fix it and no alternative, didn't want the cat to fall off so I got it off of there). The things you'll want to watch out for is the added stress on the flex section with the cat hanging like that and the stress on your oxygen sensor wire since that's keeping your cat off the ground.

I don't recommend driving around like that because some police target louder-than-usual cars, but if you've got no other choice be extremely light on the gas anywhere near police.
Old Feb 24, 2012 | 10:17 AM
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Ok, I think that may be the kind of fix my friend had in mind...although he won't be able to make it here until sunday, it turns out.

This car is LOUD with this separation, though...really obnoxious on longer drives, esp. at highway speeds.
Old Feb 24, 2012 | 10:34 AM
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Originally Posted by agmetal
This car is LOUD with this separation, though...really obnoxious on longer drives, esp. at highway speeds.

well duh! lol
Old Feb 24, 2012 | 10:35 AM
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Could something like this work as a temporary fix? http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...ier=30671_0_0_
Old Feb 24, 2012 | 10:41 AM
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ceramic coat that Bosal...It'll last a litle longer Lol!
Old Feb 24, 2012 | 11:45 AM
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Cracking tends to happen at the site of a poor weld (too hot of a weld?). Add to that rust weakening the metal and heat cycling.

save your pennies and get SS if the car is worth it.
Old Feb 24, 2012 | 12:16 PM
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What is SS?
Old Feb 24, 2012 | 12:26 PM
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Originally Posted by agmetal
What is SS?
Stainless Steel
Old Feb 24, 2012 | 12:43 PM
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Originally Posted by agmetal
Ok, I think that may be the kind of fix my friend had in mind...although he won't be able to make it here until sunday, it turns out.

This car is LOUD with this separation, though...really obnoxious on longer drives, esp. at highway speeds.

i jus saw u from boston.

Who did u have do the exhaust. Lou's custom exhaust? I hear they use "cheapo" uncoated aluminum for exhaust thats why their prices are so low.

There is a muffler spot in quincy that i hear do good work for the low price

Last edited by cashoit; Feb 24, 2012 at 12:48 PM.
Old Feb 24, 2012 | 01:12 PM
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Originally Posted by cashoit
i jus saw u from boston.

Who did u have do the exhaust. Lou's custom exhaust? I hear they use "cheapo" uncoated aluminum for exhaust thats why their prices are so low.

There is a muffler spot in quincy that i hear do good work for the low price
It was actually done at a place in Virginia that my parents used to frequent...nowhere local.

I think for the time being, I'm gonna continue keep the car off the road, until I can spare the funds to do it right, and probably do the work myself.
Old Feb 24, 2012 | 01:16 PM
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Originally Posted by agmetal
It was actually done at a place in Virginia that my parents used to frequent...nowhere local.

I think for the time being, I'm gonna continue keep the car off the road, until I can spare the funds to do it right, and probably do the work myself.
From the looks of it u gonna need a new cat. If not now, then soon man cuz that thang is rusty lol.

U can do the magnaflow hi-flow cat. My boy has one and was able to pass emissons with it.

For the rest of the exhaust, looks like u gonna need a new test pupe along with Bpipe as well. Try to finda SS catback from ebay and make sure it comes with a resonator and silencer for the muffler so u pass MA Inspection.
Old Feb 24, 2012 | 01:18 PM
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that picture made me .
Old Feb 24, 2012 | 04:55 PM
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damn! that thing damn near has barnacles
Old Feb 24, 2012 | 05:17 PM
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Unplug that O2 sensor before u lose it. Time for a y pipe and cat.
Old Feb 24, 2012 | 06:51 PM
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Damn that is some crazy rust, ebay has stainless steel exhaust, you can use the B-pipe and just use your stock muffler if you don't like the cannon look...
Old Feb 24, 2012 | 08:16 PM
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Do the work yourself and replace the cat and b-pipe. IF possible, before putting it on, paint it with the same high temp paint that toyota and honda use on their exhausts as this makes them last much longer.
Old Feb 25, 2012 | 10:28 AM
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Originally Posted by 95VQ30
damn! that thing damn near has barnacles
Old Feb 26, 2012 | 01:39 PM
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I just put on a warpspeed Y and now I have a whole in my resonator that was installed 3.5 years ago on the first test run. It was a cheap replacement back then, but doesn't look one tenth as bad as yours.
Old Mar 7, 2012 | 07:19 AM
  #26  
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Since my car is Cali-spec, are there any special considerations I need to make when buying replacement parts? Also, am I going to need to replace the Y pipe? Can anyone recommend one that can be gotten from AutoZone?
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