Tuning an 80 and a Giant hole in the muffler

[clarkrw3]

So I have a quick question for you guys. Back when I was getting Mesa muffler to fix my broken hangers on the exhaust they mentioned that my truck was running real rich and needed a tune up and if I didn't get it done it would cook my muffler quick. So my general thought was yes it could use a tune up but in todays age of computer controlled everything how bad would the ecu really let it get?? and where would I take it to get it tuned up other than the stealership?? Well this week the prophecy came to fruition. It started making a horrible racket on the way home and this morning I got under there to see a HUGE hole in the muffler, it actually blew a hole in the muffler.


So back to Mesa Muffler I go, however, what are your thoughts on this whole thing??

 

[Tools R Us]

Muffler failure can happen for lots of reasons. Is your check engine light on?

 

[clarkrw3]

Not right now but I get the occasional PO401 code... I will clear it and it will stay gone for 3-6mo usually.

 

[Tools R Us]

Not right now but I get the occasional PO401 code... I will clear it and it will stay gone for 3-6mo usually.

The O2 sensors/ecu should keep the motor from running rich. If the sensors were bad you should see a code, if the motor were running excessively rich, missing, etc, you would have a code. A tuneup is basically just replacing the plugs, if it hasn't been done, it's good PM, but don't see that fixing or being your problem?

Is the muffler original or been replaced? What type of hole, split seam, cracked, burned hole, etc?

 

[murf]

and where would I take it to get it tuned up other than the stealership??

You gotta love that catch phrase ....wow, thats a mighty wide brush to be painting with....BTW, I hear all dentists get high on nitros and feel their clients up while theyre passed-out. (not a bad gig, if you ask me)

Anyway, as any other business, there will always be bad eggs out there that give certain industries a bad name. I know your a smart guy being from ASU so check out some recommendations from other board members on different repair facilities be it independant or dealer. It really comes down to the individual people running them.

Also, it would be the catalytic convertors I would be concerned with more than the muffler. Once the ECM no longer can compensate for whatever condition (too lean or too rich) it will set off the check engine light like Tools said. Those cats can cook if too rich for too long and that gets into money. Even if you go aftermarket to save some dough, the A/M cats can still set a chk engine light due to low efficiency threshold. Thats no fun.

Just my .02 to a fellow SunDevil

 

[Tools R Us]

... stealership? ...

You gotta love that catch phrase ....wow, thats a mighty wide brush to be painting with....

Time to pull up your big girl panties! That's a name that many "providers of fine new motor cars" have worked long and hard to earn! Not all and probably not your's, but lots of them do deserve it.

 

[clarkrw3]

The O2 sensors/ecu should keep the motor from running rich. If the sensors were bad you should see a code, if the motor were running excessively rich, missing, etc, you would have a code. A tuneup is basically just replacing the plugs, if it hasn't been done, it's good PM, but don't see that fixing or being your problem?

Is the muffler original or been replaced? What type of hole, split seam, cracked, burned hole, etc?

The cat is pretty new the O2 sensors are new last summer. I don't think it has really been missing however I do get 10-11 mpg on a normal basis. Also the plugs were replace last summer too so 1 1/2 years old. I think my truck is pretty PM'ed. The hole is burnt I believe in the middle of the bottom of the muffler. You can see several layers of thin metal and it sounds GREAT O believe it was a magnaflow muffler that Jason put on when he did my exhaust but it's less than 2 years old...


As far as stealerships go....it's pretty much a tongue in cheek sort of term. I know they are not all that way but most don't know what to do with trucks like ours (mine) actually the scottsdale Lexus has treated me pretty well. I most certainly wasn't trying to pick a fight or offend anyone

 

[clarkrw3]

I believe the PO401 is more of a EGR problem is it not??

 

[Tools R Us]

I believe the PO401 is more of a EGR problem is it not??

Yes, IIRC EGR Insufficient Flow. Mine randomly sets the same code and have been too lazy to replace the vsv.

 

[murf]

I most certainly wasn't trying to pick a fight or offend anyone

No worries...just throwing it out there for conversations sake. Now that the tears have dried up, consider the pink panties pulled up

 

[FJ40LVR]

BTW, I hear all dentists get high on nitros and feel their clients up while theyre passed-out. (not a bad gig, if you ask me)

Is that why I get offered nitrouse for regular cleanings now?????

 

[MaddBaggins]

Is that why I get offered nitrouse for regular cleanings now?????

Is Rob your dentist??

 

[BrotherRob]

I hear all dentists get high on nitros and feel their clients up while theyre passed-out. (not a bad gig, if you ask me)

Dammit, I ben goin' to the wong den'ist

 

[clarkrw3]

Well i took it in yesterday and Mesa Muffler put a new muffler on it for me and now it is back to nice and quiet like stock....ahhh

 

[murf]

Did you elect to stay with the canister style muffler? I passed on the throatier hi flow muffler design - I like it quiet too....

I replaced mine with the smaller canister and had it mounted higher up for clearance. The old one met with too many rocks over the years..Didnt do it at the dealership - ha ha. Mighty muffler on 7th st.