Q&A for How to Patch an Exhaust Pipe

It is not advisable to drive a car with an exhaust leak because the exhaust fumes are toxic and may be leaking into your car; carbon monoxide poisoning is deadly and you cannot smell or sense its presence. Moreover, your car’s fuel efficiency will drop markedly and if the exhaust pipe is making loud noises, and you live in an area where the police can give you a citation for causing pollution, you might get cited. And leaking exhaust can also wreck the catalytic convertor, which is very expensive to replace. So, in a nutshell, don’t drive a car with an exhaust leak––instead, get it repaired quickly!

On average, the cost will be around $200 to $400 but it really depends on the labor costs, the make of car and what sort of replacement parts are needed. Talk to your local mechanic to get an accurate figure for your particular problem.

The answer will depend on what damage needs fixing, how much of the pipe needs replacing, and whether or not you’re doing it yourself or having a mechanic fix it (the latter being what most people will require). You’ll need to factor in the cost of the materials, the labor and any additional warranty. Also, you may need to account for the car being at the mechanic’s for a day or so, which might entail paying for other transportation. That said, the cost can range anywhere from $50.00 to $800.00, depending on the car make, where you have it fixed and what exactly needs fixing. If a turbocharger or catalytic convertor is part of what needs repairing or replacing, expect the cost to go over $1000.

Duct tape is not a good choice to use on exhaust pipe. It will likely melt and fall apart because it’s not strong enough to cope with the highly pressurized and very hot exhaust. And given that that duct tape is made of polyethylene, cotton mesh and rubber-based adhesive, it’s a flammable item that can create a fire risk around that hot exhaust. Therefore, it’s best to avoid using duct tape to patch an exhaust pipe.

The amount of time this repair will take varies depending on the type of patching material you opt to use. Some exhaust tape or epoxy can set and cure very quickly, while others may take over night to dry. Read the instructions on the package to be sure.

While you may choose to cut a portion of a damages exhaust tip off, cutting off your exhaust anywhere closer to the engine may cause functional or legal issues. Cutting off your muffler, for instance, can make your exhaust extremely loud and may not be in keeping with emissions laws for your area. Cutting it off even further than affect the O2 sensors, resulting in your check engine light coming on and issues with your air/fuel ratio.

You should take it to professional muffler shop they will be able to provide you with anything you need.

No, you can not eliminate the catalytic converter on a vehicle intended for street use. While removing the catalytic converter is permissible on race cars, and in some applications may increase the vehicle's horsepower, it is illegal to do so in most places.

High-temp heat wrap tape. Loosen and slide back the U-bolt assembly to access the slip joint between the short muffler pipe that slips over the exhaust pipe, or vise versa. Discard the U-bolt assembly. Clean the connection with a wire brush and clean with acetone. Apply a high-quality tape wrap in at least 3 layers and cure with heat to bond the tape to itself and the exhaust pipes. I have used reinforcement tape that cures by chemical process to repair yard tool handles, but don’t know if it will withstand the exhaust heat.