If you are dealing with a blown-out muffler, you might start to wonder how much it will cost to repair it. You might also start to question if it will be worth it to repair it. As your car starts to age, there is a strong possibility that your muffler needs to be repaired.
You might be thinking about other repairs that will be necessary in the future. It is important to think about the future repairs you might have to make and the investment that will be. The average cost of a muffler repair is around $160 to $240.
What Is A Muffler?
A muffler is located in the back of your car. It is designed to reduce the noise that your car engine makes by a significant amount. Without a muffler, your car would be very loud. Inside the muffler is a couple of tubes that are turned outward to cancel out some of the noise made from the engine.
This noise is created because of the different pressure amounts in the exhaust valve. There are pulses of high and low-pressure air that forms when the engine valve repeatedly opens and closes. This compressed-air travels through the muffler, which ultimately will lower the noise of the running engine.
For example, think about noise-canceling headphones. This muffler was created for the same type of concept. The exhaust gas enters the muffler through a chamber and is sent down a long tube.
The tubes will create a sound wave that is opposite to the frequency created by the engine. This process ends up canceling the sound before the sounds are released through the actual muffler.
If you did not have a muffler, you would hear the original noises your engine makes and everyone would know when you are coming down the road. The engine is very loud without a muffler.
Symptoms Of A Bad Muffler
Here are a few signs that your muffler needs to be replaced.
#1. Exhaust Sounds Louder Than Normal.
The most noticeable sign of muffler problems is the sound: Suddenly, your exhaust sounds louder than normal. Unfortunately, this increase in engine sound usually means your muffler or exhaust system has a hole in it or has come loose. Either way, it requires immediate repair or replacement at a muffler shop.
There are a few different types of muffler-related noises. Knowing the difference can help you diagnose the problem.
Types of muffler noises
- Increased engine noise often indicates a hole or crack in the muffler.
- Rattling or vibration can mean that the muffler is loose.
- Bouncing, or the sound of a pebble in a can, may indicate that the insulation inside the muffler has come loose and needs repair.
- Engine backfiring, which sounds like a large pop, is another sign of muffler troubles.
If left untreated, damage could spread to other parts of the exhaust system, creating a much larger problem. There’s even a chance you could get ticketed for excessive noise! A rise in engine sound is the last loud gasp of a muffler telling you to fix it.
#2. Smelly Fumes.
Your ears are often the first organ to tell you that your muffler is failing, but sometimes, your nose knows. When the muffler begins to fail, you might notice more fumes coming out of your car. Sometimes, the fumes can even come into the cabin (which is very dangerous and should be dealt with immediately).
Don’t be tempted to roll down your windows and get on with your day. Excessive muffler fumes are harmful to people and the environment. So if you notice a change in how your car smells, head to the mechanic.
#3. Rust – Colored Puddles.
Unlike a sudden increase in engine noise, checking for puddles of condensation and rust are straightforward ways to detect muffler problems before they turn into major issues.
It’s normal to see a few drops of water coming out of your car’s exhaust pipe when you start it up; this water is a by product of the muffler heating and cooling. But rust can form when some of this accumulated water doesn’t drain out. A steady stream of water coming from the exhaust or a rust-colored puddle under your muffler can be a sign of rust build up inside the muffler. In that case, see a mechanic soon.
Rust can also form on the exterior of your muffler, especially if the muffler is exposed to large amounts of salt during the winter. If you’re able to look underneath your car, a quick visual exam could clue you into possible rust buildup. A preventive undercarriage wash can greatly reduce the chances of rust forming and possibly help you avoid a muffler repair.
#4. Loss of Fuel Economy and Sluggish Performance.
Your car’s muffler doesn’t just dampen the sound of the engine; it’s an integral part of the exhaust system and is linked to your car’s overall performance. The faster the exhaust moves through the exhaust system, the quicker the engine can burn more fuel, leading to better engine performance.
If your car is running hot, your muffler may be the culprit. When rust builds up inside the muffler, it can damage its internal chambers and exhaust won’t flow properly. Over time, this could decrease fuel economy, as your car’s engine is working harder to expel exhaust and burn fuel—not to mention that a constantly overheating engine can damage other parts of your vehicle over time.
When Should A Muffler Be Replaced?
How long does a muffler last? Most new mufflers last 40,000 to 80,000 miles, or two to four years, depending on your driving conditions and your vehicle’s make and model.
However, if you live and drive in wet climates, such as along a coastline with salty ocean air or in an area that experiences heavy snowfall and constantly salted roads, you’ll see an even shorter lifespan.
If you’re closing in on this timeframe or you notice your muffler is showing any of the above-mentioned bad muffler symptoms, it’s time to think about muffler replacement or repair. But don’t worry too much.
If you catch the signs of a bad muffler early on, muffler replacement is relatively inexpensive and will keep your vehicle running as it should.
If you notice you’re having muffler problems and don’t act on them, more extreme issues will develop over time, and you’ll be forced to spend more money on more extensive repairs.
How To Replace A Muffler
There are many steps to follow when you try to replace a muffler. You need to fully understand every step so no other unexpected problems arise from the repair process. Listed below are the steps to follow when replacing a muffler.
- Put on safety gear. Before you begin the process, make sure you’re putting on any safety gear like goggles or work gloves to protect yourself.
- Disconnect the car battery. To ensure your car doesn’t turn on while you’re working, disconnect the car battery.
- Park and station your vehicle. It’s important to park your vehicle on a flat surface. Then, secure it with wheel chocks to ensure your wheels are stationary and stay in place as you begin the next step.
- Lift the car and apply lift points. You’ll then carefully place a lift jack beneath your vehicle. Once you lift it to a sufficient height, you can then install lifting points under the car to keep it suspended while you work.
- Remove the old muffler. Disconnect the bolts around the muffler clamps (use lubrication if needed to ease the bolts) using a socket wrench, cut it out of any existing piping, and remove the muffler hangers from the rubber muffler hanging mounts. While cutting away any connected piping, only cut the muffler’s pipes.
- Measure the new muffler. See if the new muffler fits by measuring it against the current piping. If so, start installing the new muffler. You’ll add the hangers to the rubber hanger mounts and connect the muffler to the new piping. Finally, spray exhaust sealant to connect the piping. Note that it may take a little while for it to take effect.
- Reconnect the battery and check for leaks. Once the sealant has taken hold, reconnect the battery to your car and then run your vehicle to check for a muffler leak. If everything works properly, you’re good to go!
Exhaust System Repair Cost
If you don’t replace your muffler worse problems will eventually occur with the exhaust system. Often if the muffler has rusted it most likely will make its way up the exhaust pipe. Replacing just the muffler can be a difficult task.
If you have an older car, the muffler could be welded into the exhaust system. This means it is a lot easier to just replace the entire exhaust system.
In fact, that might be your only option it the muffler is very rusty and you can’t separate the muffler from the exhaust system.
Muffler Cost Factors
The cost of mufflers can range from $160 to $240 depending on what needs to be replaced and how much labor is associated with it. Some muffler repairs will require fixing broken clamps as well.
If you think you have exhaust problems, you should go get a free inspection. The longer you wait, the worse your problems will get. A mechanic will be able to tell you exactly what is wrong and give you a price estimate.
If your muffler only has small holes in it, there is an option to patch these holes up, but you will most likely have to replace the entire muffler eventually. Patching holes is typically a short-term solution.
Most likely other holes will appear within a few months and then you will fall back into the same problem. Since patching holes is only a short-term solution, most mechanics will recommend that you replace the entire muffler.
Saving Money On A Muffler Replacement
Car repairs can get expensive. The cost can quickly add up depending on what needs to be done. There are a few different ways on how you can save a little bit on money on a muffler replacement. Listed below are some helpful tips:
- Repair It Yourself: You can repair a muffler by yourself if you have the correct equipment needed for the repair. You will still need to pay for the parts, but you can save money on the cost of labor because you are doing it yourself. This is a great way to cut down on the repair cost. You might be able to purchase parts at a cheaper price on discounted websites as well. The repair shops typically upcharge the parts they install so the part itself is more expensive. One thing to keep in mind is to always read the product numbers to make sure you get the correct parts before installing them.
- Warranty: Another option to save some money on a muffler repair is to use your new vehicle warranty.These typically last up to 60,000 miles so if you have a newer car, you might still be under warranty.
- Coupons: Before taking your car into a repair shop always look online for any deals or coupons. Often larger shops will run different promotions on repairs or seasonal specials to make these repairs more affordable for everyone. This is a great way to try and save money on a muffler repair.
Lifespan Of A Muffler
There are a few different reasons why mufflers typically need to be replaced. These reasons include a muffler becoming clogged by certain objects or they just develop holes and rust due to age.
Often they are replaced simply because of old age. The lifespan of a muffler varies a lot. On average they last about 10 years, but depending on different factors the total lifespan could be anywhere from 5-15 years.
Certain weather conditions greatly impact the lifespan of a muffler. If a muffler is exposed to rain, snow, or salt, the lifespan will be shorter. These weather conditions ware down a muffler and cause it to rust quicker. This can also lead to holes forming quicker.