Exhaust Leak

[tigrompy]

Newbie here. I drive a 91 FJ80 w/ 149K miles. I recently had her at the mechanic and got lots of things fixed.

My question here though is... I have a very noisy leak somewhere in the exhaust. I've been all under the thing and I can't find the hole for the life of me, but it sounds awful. My mechanic wants $4700 to replace the entire exhaust. I can't afford to pay that, it's probably as much as the Cruiser is worth.

Has anyone out there experienced this problem and found a cheaper solution to replacing the entire exhaust? My mechanic says I have no other options.

Thanks.

 

[Beowulf]

My mechanic says I have no other options.

Unless your mechanic is your dad or your wife then you should have the option of getting another mechanic so, in fact, you *do* have other options.

The expensive item in the exhaust is the cat. There are aftermarket options that are less expensive. (~$300 in the US) The remainder of the complete exhaust system (from the headers back) should be less than $500. Probably much less.

Add another $300 if your headers are completely rusted out.

-B-

 

[sseaman]

how rusty is everything? there are some aftermarket bolt on kits for a around $250, a custom exhaust should be less then $500- 600

 

[motorsargeT]

I just did my whole exhaust from the headers back. I got the toyota cats for about $1200 each from a local dealer. I couldn't find any decent aftermarket bolt in cats for a 3fe anywhere. 1 month later I found nice looking bolt in cats for about 400 each. I had a 2 1/2 inch exhaust bent from the cats back for $350 at a good local exhaust shop. You can also use a universal weld in cat that any decent exhaust shop could put in for a nice price.

 

[tigrompy]

Thanks

I appreciate the input. I kind of figured I could come up with another plan. $4700 just seemed outrageous to me, although I've used this mechanic for 20 years and they're great otherwise.

 

[phxtlc]

Have a look at the top of the pipes right before the go into the cats. I was replacing some gaskets to try and fix some leaks and when the guy disconnected the support strap the pipes where so rusted out on top that the cats almost fell out. I never realized it because it's pretty hidden up there.

Your system is probably like mine...holding on to it's last breath.

Least expensive way to approach it is total custom w/ aftermarket mufflers and cats. There's a couple of resources on the web for cats and I also read a post somewhere that replaced the 2 cats with a y pipe and a cat from a late model Dodge 8cyl pickup.

 

[CJBury]

$4700?? You are well with in your rights to go punch him in the face. Plenty of aftermarket options. Get a new mechanic. Or get your hands dirty.
Chris

 

[tigrompy]

Have a look at the top of the pipes right before the go into the cats. I was replacing some gaskets to try and fix some leaks and when the guy disconnected the support strap the pipes where so rusted out on top that the cats almost fell out. I never realized it because it's pretty hidden up there.

Your system is probably like mine...holding on to it's last breath.

Thanks... you're right on the money. I got frustrated and was back up under there last night. The leaks are right at where the cats attach in the front. Both pipes are leaking right at the cats. I may just go with the old heat wrap and a couple of soda cans until I figure out what I want to do for a permanent solution. Thanks again for everyone's help. Much appreciated.