How Much Does It Cost to Replace My Car’s Exhaust System

If you own your internal combustion vehicle long enough, you will eventually need to replace part or all of its exhaust system. The good news is that there is an abundance of shops that can repair or replace exhaust systems. The bad news is that the cost can range from $500 to $1,500, and that does not include pricey catalytic converters or manifolds.

What is an Exhaust System, and What Does It Do?

The exhaust system carries the products of combustion safely away from the engine’s exhaust manifold and out the back of the vehicle. Cars are a lot like air pumps. The intake air enters from the front of the vehicle, and the exhaust heads out the back. Since exhaust contains gasses that are not kind to humans in high concentrations, keeping those gasses from entering the cabin is important, and the exhaust system manages that job very well when working properly.

The exhaust system also acts as an air purifier. Some polluting gasses are changed into less harmful gasses as they travel the length of the exhaust system. The catalytic converter does the work using pricey materials and has no moving parts. There are also sensors mounted in the exhaust system called O2 or oxygen sensors that feed information to the engine’s computer to ensure the fuel is being properly combined with air in the combustion chamber.

The last job of the exhaust system is to quiet things down for the vehicle occupants and the folks in public. Without an exhaust system, the sound of your engine would be quite loud. Like a race car's sound, but less exciting.

Exhaust System Basic Parts

Your exhaust exits the combustion chambers in the exhaust manifold. This is a pricey item, and it usually lasts the full life of the vehicle. Replacing this item is very costly and is not usually part of an exhaust system repair or replacement.

Next, there is a pipe made of stainless steel that carries the exhaust to the catalytic converter, where the magic happens. Catalytic converters are very expensive and almost always last the life of the vehicle. They are never routinely changed when exhaust systems are replaced or repaired.

Next up, more pipe leads to a device that quiets the sounds of the engine and helps regulate the engine’s airflow. More pipe and then the muffler or mufflers are the last item before a short pipe called the tailpipe. The mufflers are the items most likely to fail and the easiest to deal with if they do.

There are some other items, such as flexible sections to allow the exhaust system to move a bit under the vehicle. There are also clamps, bolts, springs, and hangers that make up the support system and the interconnections between the parts. Metal heat shields are placed here and there above and below the parts of an exhaust system. These look like sheets of metal bent to take on a shape to surround something that either needs to be shielded from heat or is happier when heat is retained.

How Do I Know If My Exhaust System Needs Attention?

The single most common symptom of a failing exhaust system is increased noise. If your normally quiet vehicle is suddenly louder, the chances are you have a hole somewhere in your exhaust system. One sound that sometimes surprises owners is a hissing sound. Rattles and banging may indicate a loose part or a broken support hanger or clamp. Buzzing and clanking are often symptoms of a loose heat shield.

My Exhaust System Looks Rusty - Is That Bad?

Exhaust systems are made of a variety of materials, and they are all going to take on a patina or rust at some point. That happens almost immediately after the car is first driven and gets worse over time. However, it is not usually a sign of failure. Reddish brown rust can occur anywhere on an exhaust system and not be a problem. Holes and pitting in the metal are signs of excessive corrosion.

Can I Drive With a Loud Exhaust?

A loud exhaust is not an emergency related to operating the vehicle but should be dealt with for safety reasons. Gasses may enter your cabin and make you sick or dizzy in extreme cases. Parts may detach and fall off, causing a road hazard. If your vehicle gets loud all of a sudden, bring it to a mechanic at your first opportunity for an inspection and diagnosis.

Who Can Fix My Exhaust System?

Most mechanics will repair and replace exhaust systems. This is usually the most affordable option. Exhaust repair chains like Midas and Meineke are pretty much everywhere, and this is their specialty. Your dealer will gladly fix your exhaust, but this is likely the most expensive route.

Can I Fix My Own Exhaust?

Fixing an exhaust system is within the capabilities of any handy person or backyard mechanic. However, without a lift, the job is tricky. The first vehicle repair your then 16-year-old author ever did was to patch an exhaust pipe using an empty can of B&M baked beans, two hose clamps, and a glop of furnace glue. (Note that Car Talk does not recommend this!)

It took longer to eat the beans than patch the exhaust, and the repair outlived the car. However, in practical terms, folks with a job to get to or kids to pick up can often have an exhaust repaired the same day by a local shop. Some even offer loaner vehicles.

Can My Exhaust System Be Repaired, or Does It Need to Be Replaced?

Most exhaust system issues are dealt with as a repair. Full replacements are very rare. Normally, one part is in need of replacement. However, if the vehicle is very old, but the owner plans to keep it for a few more years, a larger section or multiple sections of the exhaust system may be the sensible repair. Also, it is not uncommon for a part to be impossible to remove from its adjoining section. Cutting with torches, saws, and other tools may be required, and then welding back on new parts might be a requirement. So again, we suggest getting a trusted mechanic for this.

How Much Does It Cost To Repair or Replace an Exhaust System?

Unlike some repairs, it is very hard to nail down the cost to repair an exhaust system without first having a full diagnosis. If it is just one section of a mainstream vehicle, $500 may be right. If multiple sections or the whole exhaust (short of the catalytic converter and manifold) needs replacement, $1,500 may be the budget.

An exhaust repair job may have an initial estimate that gets bumped up if the mechanic discovers more problems when work begins. Don’t assume a scam if that happens. A lot of exhaust work is labor, and if parts won’t disconnect from others, the labor adds up fast. Finally, if you own a high-powered sports car or a luxury vehicle, expect to pay more than if the vehicle is something common, like a RAV4.

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