Car Muffler

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



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?

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.

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

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

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.

So no go on just trying to weld it back together?

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?

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.....

You'll probably have to replace a muffler bearing though.

I would just weld it back together. Simple and free.

I would add, if I may, please check the security and integrity of your muffler and pipe hangers too.

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.

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

That's what I would try first. Duct tape or any sort of tape will burn off pretty quick but you can use it to hold something together while the compound adheres. Make sure you take it off afterwards or you'll be smelling funny.

Burns quick though.

might be able to just JB weld it, then wrap it in Aluminum tape...

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