How to Fix a Broken Exhaust Pipe
You don't want to drive with a rusted-through exhaust pipe dragging noisily on the road. Before you get to the muffler shop, here's what to do with an exhaust pipe that is about to fall off.
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Instructions
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Wait for the engine to cool down so the exhaust pipe is cool enough to touch. Place your hand near the pipe to gauge how hot it is before actually touching it, or wrap a thick rag around your hand.
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If part of the pipe is about to fall off, remove the hanging part by bending and twisting it until it breaks free. You needn't reattach it, since you must have it replaced or welded on at a muffler shop anyway.
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If you can't break off the hanging pipe, untwist a wire coat hanger or use some mechanic's wire (available at an auto-parts store). Wrap one end around the hanging pipe and fasten the other end to the underside of the car. Do not wrap the wire around the drive shaft or anywhere where it risks becoming tangled with the drive shaft. Wrap it around a stationary part underneath the car.
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Make an appointment at the muffler shop.
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Tips & Warnings
Fix-it tape for exhaust systems can only cover up a hole or a crack in an exhaust pipe. It will not hold a broken pipe together.
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Comments
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This is the stupidest F'n post Ive seen.
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what if I own a welder?
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toolless
Oct 30, 2010
I have not heard of so much crap on ehow yet How to fit it, take it to a fixing shop What crap -
downer1
Oct 14, 2009
Wait for it to cool almost completely, then touch it with your tongue and blow air on it at the same time. This should fuse the metal back together and should last around two weeks. Just dont remove your tongue until you can get it fixed permanently.
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Jul 06, 2006
There are three things you can do in this situation: 1. Buy flexpipe at any local auto shop. They give you under a foot of flexpipe, which bends so you can fit it on the hole in the exhaust pipe. Then buy a couple of clamps at the shop and clamp the flexpipe onto the portion of the broken exhaust pipe. It'll quiet your car down and hold decently for a while. Beware: salt kills flexpipe, so in winter it'll likely burn another hole. 2. If your exhaust pipe rusted off where it attaches to the muffler, you can buy metal adapters that are specifically designed to link the two pieces together. Measure the size of the hole to determine what size adapter you'll need. You can get these adapters at any auto shop as well. 3. Put in a new exhaust pipe.
