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Car Muffler

Discussion in 'The MX Hangar (A&P/AMT)' started by Inverted25, Mar 27, 2011.

  1. Inverted25 Well-Known Member

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    I was driving down the street today and my muffler got really loud. Crawled under the car and saw this.

    car muffler.jpg

    The car is a 2003 Ford ZX2. Looks like the exhaust pipe seperated from whatever that weaved metallic tube is. Any one have any insight on this?
  2. Roger, Roger Guest

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    What the heck are you asking a bunch of A&Ps for? We hate working on cars! That much is proven by the absolute deathtraps we usually drive.

    In all reality, I'd probably leave it and tick off the neighbors every time I start the car. Or you can replace the part, but that requires working on cars which is generally not advised unless absolutely necessary.
  3. milleR Well-Known Member

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    Looks like your resonator. You'll probably need a new midpipe but possibly a full cat-back exhaust.
  4. Douglas Old School KSUX

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    Ha! My buddy is an A&P and I could see that glaze come over his eyes when I start asking for car advice.
  5. jynxyjoe The Kickin' Chicken!

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    Which side is that separation on? Is that running aft or forward? Can you put the camera on macro, get real tight on the break (lots of light) and get us another shot? Wanna see how clean the break is.
  6. Inverted25 Well-Known Member

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    So no go on just trying to weld it back together?
  7. jynxyjoe The Kickin' Chicken!

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    From your photo it looks kinda clean to me, will it slide back in? then you can get some of that muffler wad and glue/paste crap and patch it for a while.

    Is that break from the engine back or from the resonator back?
  8. Roger, Roger Guest

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    Seriously! Cars are complicated! I took my aircraft fuel systems class and learned airplane carburetors and fuel injection upside down and backwards. Then I took one look at a diagram of a car carburetor and silently vowed to stick with airplanes, thank you very much. As for automotive fuel injection.....
  9. Minuteman (☞゚∀゚)☞

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    You'll probably have to replace a muffler bearing though.
  10. z987k Well-Known Member

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    I would just weld it back together. Simple and free.
  11. jynxyjoe The Kickin' Chicken!

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    I would add, if I may, please check the security and integrity of your muffler and pipe hangers too.
  12. sky_captn 275HP Lawnmower

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    That is a flex pipe, meant to allow for engine movement and vibration. if it broke off at the collar, you cant weld that back on. fairly rare for that to break, but they arent being held on by very much. take it to a muffler shop, might be able to fabricate a sold piece instead. ive hand bigger pieces made for less that 100. or oder a new flex pipe. it sits before the resonator and converter, that is y its so loud.
  13. SteveC Really?

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    Source.
  14. Inverted25 Well-Known Member

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    muffler 4.jpg muffler 3.jpg muffler 2.jpg
    muffler 1.jpg

    Some better pics. To me I dont see a break in the metal more of what looks to be a serpation. How is the pipe held into the flex pipe. Is it possible to shove it back in and hold it with some compound?

    Pic 2 is the back end showing how it is held together. The break is on the front side of the flex pipe towards the engine. Sounds like a harley when started I dont mind the sound lol
  15. jynxyjoe The Kickin' Chicken!

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  16. z987k Well-Known Member

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    might be able to just JB weld it, then wrap it in Aluminum tape...
  17. jynxyjoe The Kickin' Chicken!

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    The JB comes with a netting type tape anymore doesn't it?

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