How To Repair Exhaust Leak The Easy Way

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An frazzle leak tin can create a great bargain of dissonance, increase your emissions and cause the check engine light in your vehicle to come on. All-encompassing leaks can fill the motel of your vehicle with carbon monoxide, which can make y'all feel ill or even fall asleep while driving. While all-encompassing rusting or rotting of your exhaust system will require replacing all or parts of it, small-scale leaks tin can be resolved using exhaust record or epoxy. You can even make a patch out of soda or beer cans.

1. i

   Park the vehicle on a level, house surface. In gild to repair the exhaust leak, you will need to jack the vehicle up to locate it. When yous jack up a portion of the car, the weight of that portion volition be centralized into the relatively modest space below the jack. It's important that you choose a surface that can support that weight. You also need the surface to be level, equally it'southward extremely unsafe to jack up a car at an angle.^[one]

   • Black top or concrete are acceptable surfaces to jack up a car.
   • Never jack up a car on grass, clay or gravel as it may cause the jack to topple over.

2. 2

   Allow the frazzle to cool. The exhaust piping in your vehicle can reach extremely loftier temperatures while the engine is running. Let the vehicle to cool for a few hours before attempting to work on the frazzle to avoid burning yourself.^[2]

   • It may have a number of hours to allow the exhaust to absurd enough to touch.
   • Touch the hood of your car. If it is still warm, the engine and frazzle are both even so extremely hot.

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3. 3

   Jack upwards the vehicle. Slide a scissor or trolley jack below the vehicle at i of its designated jack points. If you are unsure where these jack points are, refer to the vehicle'due south possessor's transmission to help you locate them. With the jack in the correct infinite, jack up the car until it is loftier plenty to safely work beneath it.^[3]

   • Once the vehicle is jacked up, identify jack stands beneath the vehicle to back up its weight.
   • Never piece of work beneath a vehicle supported only by a jack.

4. four

   Inspect the exhaust pipe. From beneath the vehicle, inspect the exhaust piping starting at the front of the vehicle and working your fashion back. If you have an idea of where the leak may be, y'all can begin your inspection in that area. Await for signs of damage such as scrapes, rust, cracks or holes.^[4]

   • In lower vehicles, frazzle leaks can be caused by the underside of the vehicle bottoming out on things like speed bumps or pot holes.
   • Rust is also a common cause of exhaust leaks. If rust penetrates through all the way through a pipe, it will effect in a leak.
   • Cracks in the pipage are some other mutual cause of frazzle leaks.

5. v

   Beginning the vehicle to help locate leaks. If you are unable to readily identify the source of the leak with a visual inspection, have a friend start the vehicle. From beneath the car or truck you should be able to spot the leak as puffs of frazzle fume escapes from it.^[5]

   • Be extremely careful working under a vehicle that is running. Keep your hands abroad from any moving parts.
   • Brand sure the vehicle is in park (for automatic transmissions) or is in neutral with the wheels chocked (standard transmissions) before starting it.

6. 6

   Assess the extent and blazon of damage. Depending on the type of damage you identify on your exhaust piping, your repair options may vary. If the exhaust piping is covered in extensive rust, that entire component of the exhaust may need to be replaced past a professional. Small-scale scrapes or holes can be addressed without cutting out portions of the exhaust.^{[half dozen]}

   • Small holes may be repaired using exhaust tape or repair putty.
   • Larger holes will need a piece of aluminum in conjunction with an epoxy to seal.

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1. 1

   Scrub the surface area surrounding the leak with a steel toothed castor. Because the frazzle is located on the underside of the vehicle, it often gets caked with mud, dirt and rust. Once you locate the leak, employ a steel toothed brush to scrub the area surrounding it. Most repairs volition not stick or seal if done over clay and crud.^[vii]

   • Scrub the entire portion of the pipe effectually the leak, including the pinnacle side if you tin reach it.
   • Make sure to wear eye protection while scrubbing the area to prevent debris from getting in your optics.

2. 2

   Utilize sandpaper to prepare the surface of the pipe. Once you have scraped off near of the clay and grime, accept a slice of fine dust sandpaper and utilize information technology to scrub the portion of the piping you demand to repair. Sandpaper volition remove the concluding $.25 of clay as well equally creating tiny micro abrasions in the metal to help the record or epoxy adhere to it.^[8]

   • If you are using exhaust tape, brand sure to scrub the pipe all the way around with the sand paper.
   • Roughing up the surface of the metal will create a stronger bond for the patch.

3. 3

   Wipe the surface down with acetone. Once you have brushed and sanded the piping around the leak, wipe the area down with acetone to clean it and assistance the exhaust epoxy bond to the metal. Acetone is the primary ingredient in blast polish remover, so using nail polish remover will piece of work well for this purpose.^[9]

   • Be very careful not to drip acetone into your optics or rima oris while wiping downwardly the pipe with information technology.
   • You can purchase acetone in the cleaning chemicals section of many retail stores, or nail shine remover in the health and beauty sections.

4. iv

   Determine if the pigsty is pocket-size enough to be sealed without a patch. Small cracks or pinholes can be sealed using but epoxy or exhaust tape, but larger holes will need a patch. If the leak is a thin cleft or small hole, you can keep without purchasing or making a patch to assistance. If the hole is larger, you will need a patch likewise as epoxy.^[x]

   • Attempting to seal too big a pigsty without a patch can issue in an imperfect seal or the exhaust leak resurfacing after a few hours of driving.

5. v

   Wrap the frazzle tape around the pipe. If you are using exhaust repair tape, wrap it all the way around the pipe, roofing the exhaust leak with at to the lowest degree ii layers of record. Brand sure to wrap the tape around the pipe for a few inches to either side of the leak besides. Unlike kinds of exhaust repair tape will require different application methods, so be sure to read the instructions thoroughly earlier y'all brainstorm.^[eleven]

   • Some frazzle repair record must be applied to warm pipes in order to establish a seal, so you may demand to first the vehicle and permit it run for a few minutes before applying.
   • Other forms of frazzle repair tape needs to be wet earlier applying.
   • Y'all can purchase exhaust repair tape at most auto parts stores.

6. 6

   Mix the epoxy together and apply information technology to the leak. If you lot are using epoxy to seal the leak, mix the 2 parts together using a wooden dowel. Once the two parts are mixed, information technology will begin to cure immediately, so apply it to the leak rapidly. Dab the epoxy over the leak, then use the wooden dowel to spread it effectually the surface area. Go out a thick layer of epoxy over and around the leak.^[12]

   • You may besides choose to wrap the leak in exhaust repair tape later applying the epoxy.
   • Different types of epoxy have different curing rates, so read the instructions on the package to know how long to allow it to sit down earlier driving the vehicle.

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1. 1

   Determine the size of patch needed. You can purchase exhaust patch kits from your local machine parts store, but cutting upwardly a slice of an aluminum can will actually do just equally expert as task at serving as a patch for a larger frazzle leak. After scrubbing and cleaning the surface area, determine how large the patch will need to be to encompass the leak and exit at least a half inch or and so of actress textile beyond the pigsty itself.^[13]

   • If the area that needs to exist patched is larger than most three inches, that portion of the frazzle volition likely need to exist replaced.
   • If y'all purchase a patch kit, make sure to read the directions to appraise the size of a leak the kit can prepare.

2. 2

   Cut an aluminum patch to fit over the leak. Employ a pair of heavy duty pair of scissors to cut your aluminum tin into a patch large enough to cover the leak. Y'all may also cull to wrap the can effectually the pipe. For smaller leaks, you can simply cut a circle of aluminum that is a one-half inch larger in diameter than the hole.^[14]

   • You may want to wear gloves while cutting a can or aluminum patch to avert being cut by sharp edges.
   • Wrapping the can or patch all the way around the pipe will provide the best seal.

3. 3

   Cover the area surrounding the leak with epoxy. Just as you would seal a leak with epoxy, mix information technology together and apply it to the pipe effectually the leak. Make sure to use enough epoxy to create a seal for the patch, but don't utilize so much that the epoxy begins to drip into the exhaust pipage.^[15]

   • Apply the epoxy to an area surrounding the leak that is equal size to the patch you are applying.
   • If you are going to wrap the patch all the way around the pipe, apply nigh of the epoxy to the area effectually the leak and a lighter coat all the way around the pipe.

4. 4

   Place the patch over the leak. Either place the small patch directly over the hole or wrap a big patch all the way around the pipage. If wrapping the patch around the pipe, make sure the middle of the patch is over the leak itself.^[16]

   • It's okay if some of the epoxy squeezes out the sides of the patch when y'all utilize it.
   • Make sure none of the leak extends across the sides of the patch.

5. 5

   Employ epoxy over the patch. Employ a wooden dowel to apply more epoxy to the edges of the patch. You may even choose to glaze the patch itself with epoxy. This will assist hold the patch in place as the epoxy dries while likewise creating a more solid seal to prevent any exhaust from leaking.^[17]

   • Make sure to glaze the perimeter of the patch with epoxy at the least to ensure in that location are no pinhole leaks.
   • If you lot wrapped the entire pipe with a patch, you do not need to coat the entire patch, but pay special attention to wear the patch meets on the reverse side of the piping from the leak.

6. half-dozen

   Secure a large patch in place with hose clamps. If you wrapped the patch all the way around the pipe, use ii hose clamps to secure it in place and ensure a tight seal. Identify one hose clamp on either side of the leak on the piping, then utilise a socket wrench or flat head spiral driver to tighten the clamps into identify over the patch.^[18]

   • The hose clamps volition help ensure a tight seal along with the patch and epoxy.
   • Y'all may desire to clip the excess ends off of the hose clamps in one case yous are done.

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Add New Question

• Question

  Can you bulldoze a machine with an exhaust leak?

  

  This answer was written by i of our trained team of researchers who validated information technology for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

  

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  Staff Answer

  

  Support wikiHow by unlocking this staff-researched answer.

  It is not advisable to bulldoze a car with an exhaust leak because the frazzle fumes are toxic and may be leaking into your car; carbon monoxide poisoning is deadly and you lot cannot smell or sense its presence. Moreover, your car's fuel efficiency volition driblet markedly and if the exhaust pipe is making loud noises, and y'all alive in an expanse where the police can give you lot a commendation for causing pollution, you might go cited. And leaking exhaust can also wreck the catalytic convertor, which is very expensive to replace. So, in a nutshell, don't bulldoze a car with an exhaust leak––instead, go information technology repaired speedily!

• Question

  How much does information technology toll to fix an exhaust leak in a car?

  

  This respond was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

  

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  Back up wikiHow by unlocking this staff-researched answer.

  On boilerplate, the cost will be effectually $200 to $400 but information technology really depends on the labor costs, the make of motorcar and what sort of replacement parts are needed. Talk to your local mechanic to become an authentic figure for your detail problem.

• Question

  How much does information technology cost to ready a broken exhaust pipe?

  

  This reply was written by one of our trained squad of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

  

  wikiHow Staff Editor

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  Support wikiHow past unlocking this staff-researched answer.

  The answer will depend on what damage needs fixing, how much of the piping needs replacing, and whether or not you're doing information technology yourself or having a mechanic ready it (the latter being what most people volition require). You'll need to factor in the cost of the materials, the labor and whatsoever boosted warranty. Too, you may need to business relationship for the car beingness at the mechanic's for a day or and then, which might entail paying for other transportation. That said, the cost can range anywhere from $50.00 to $800.00, depending on the car brand, where you lot accept information technology stock-still and what exactly needs fixing. If a turbocharger or catalytic convertor is part of what needs repairing or replacing, expect the price to go over $1000.

• Question

  Can yous put duct tape on an exhaust pipe?

  

  This reply was written by 1 of our trained team of researchers who validated information technology for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

  

  wikiHow Staff Editor

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  Duct record is not a expert choice to use on exhaust pipe. It will likely melt and fall apart because it'south 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, information technology'due south a flammable item that can create a burn gamble around that hot exhaust. Therefore, it's best to avoid using duct tape to patch an exhaust pipe.

• Question

  How long should a good repair process take?

  

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

• Question

  Can I cutting off the damaged end of my exhaust?

  

  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. Cut off your muffler, for case, can make your exhaust extremely loud and may non be in keeping with emissions laws for your surface area. Cutting it off even farther than bear upon the O2 sensors, resulting in your cheque engine low-cal coming on and issues with your air/fuel ratio.

• Question

  How do I fix a leak from an exhaust subclass?

  

  You should take it to professional muffler store they volition be able to provide you with anything you lot need.

• Question

  Tin can I eliminate the catalytic converter and run straight pipe?

  

  No, you can non eliminate the catalytic converter on a vehicle intended for street employ. While removing the catalytic converter is permissible on race cars, and in some applications may increase the vehicle'south horsepower, information technology is illegal to do and then in nearly places.

• Question

  What tin can I use for an exhaust pipe gasket where the pipe bolts together?

  

  High-temp estrus wrap record. Loosen and slide dorsum the U-bolt assembly to access the skid joint between the brusk muffler pipe that slips over the frazzle pipe, or vise versa. Discard the U-bolt assembly. Clean the connexion with a wire castor and clean with acetone. Apply a high-quality record wrap in at to the lowest degree 3 layers and cure with heat to bail the tape to itself and the exhaust pipes. I have used reinforcement record that cures past chemic process to repair yard tool handles, but don't know if information technology will withstand the exhaust heat.

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Article Summary 10

To patch an exhaust pipe, beginning by jacking upwardly your vehicle so you tin can inspect the exhaust pipe and locate the leak. Next, scrub the surface area effectually the leak with a steel-toothed brush, sand the surface of the pipe to rough up the metal, and wipe the pipe down with acetone. Then, wrap the exhaust tape effectually the pipage, covering the leak with at least two layers. Finally, mix the epoxy together, apply it to the leak with a wooden dowel, and let the mixture cure completely earlier driving your vehicle. For tips on sealing a leak with a patch, read on!

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