Exhaust and Muffler Repair in Orem, UT

Signs of an exhaust problem

Bring it in if you notice:

• The car is suddenly louder, most of all on a cold start
• A ticking sound from the engine that fades as it warms up
• A rattle or buzz underneath, often at idle
• A pipe or muffler hanging low or dragging
• An exhaust smell inside the car
• A check engine light for the catalytic converter or an O2 sensor
• A failed emissions test

Exhaust leaks and gaskets

Most exhaust leaks start at a joint. The gasket between the engine and the exhaust manifold takes the most heat. It can burn out, or the bolts holding it can break. A leak there often sounds like a tick that's loudest when the engine is cold. Farther back, flex pipes crack and joints rust apart.

A leak isn't just noise. Exhaust carries carbon monoxide. A leak near the front of the car can find its way into the cabin. And a leak ahead of an O2 sensor can throw off its reading and turn on the check engine light. We find the leak first, then fix that spot.

On a turbo car, a leak at the turbo or the downpipe can also cost boost. If that's part of the problem, see our turbo repair.

Mufflers and pipes

Mufflers and pipes rust from the inside out. Short trips leave water in the system, and road salt works on the outside all winter. Once a muffler rusts through, it gets loud fast.

When a section is rusted thin, we replace that section. When it's a crack or a small hole in solid pipe, we can often weld it. We tell you which one your car needs and why. Want a new system instead? See our custom exhaust work.

Flex pipe repair

The flex pipe is a short braided section near the front of the exhaust. It lets the engine rock on its mounts without cracking the pipes. Over time the braid frays, the liner inside cracks, and it starts to leak. It often sounds like a hiss or a rasp under the front seats when you step on the gas.

A new flex section can usually be welded in, so you don't always need a whole new pipe. Worn engine mounts let the engine move more and wear out flex pipes faster, so we check those too.

Hangers and clamps

Rubber hangers hold the exhaust in place and keep it from shaking the car. They dry out and break with age. A pipe that drags over a speed bump can snap a bracket too. A loose heat shield is the most common rattle. It sounds bad, but it's often a small fix.

Left alone, a hanging exhaust strains the joints that are still holding it. That can crack a pipe or a manifold. We replace hangers, clamps, and brackets, and weld on a new bracket when the old one rusted off.

Catalytic converter replacement and the Utah County emissions check

The catalytic converter cleans the exhaust before it leaves the car. When it stops working, you'll usually get a check engine light. Sometimes you'll also smell rotten eggs or feel the car lose power.

Utah County requires emissions testing on most vehicles. A check engine light means a failed test, and an exhaust leak ahead of the sensors can cause one. We don't do emissions testing at the shop. We find out why the car failed, fix it, and tell you how long to drive before you retest.

A failed converter is often a sign of something else, like a misfire or an engine burning oil. A new converter can fail the same way if the cause is still there. So before we replace a converter, we find out why it failed with our check engine light diagnostics. Then we replace it and fix the cause, so the new one lasts.

Exhaust repair cost in Orem

It depends on what failed and where. A hanger or a heat shield is a small job. A manifold gasket with broken bolts takes much longer. We look at the car first, then give you the price before we start. While it's here, we text you updates, and after-hours drop-off and pickup make it easier on a workday.