When you’re experiencing a blown-out muffler, you’re probably wondering how much it’s going to cost. You’re likely also wondering whether it will be worth it to repair or replace it. Just like your car, mufflers also age and will eventually need repairs.
In addition to the cost of repairing your muffler, you’re probably factoring in other repairs that will have to be done in the future. It is important to consider the future repairs and the expense of those repairs as well. On average, the cost of a muffler repair is around $160 – $240.
What Is A Muffler?
Every car has a muffler at the rear. The muffler decreases the noise generated by the vehicle engine significantly. Without a muffler, you would have an extremely loud engine. Inside the muffler are a couple of tubes that are angled outward; this cancels out some of the noise the engine produces.
The noise being produced is due to different amounts of pressure in the exhaust valve. Every time the engine valve opens and closes, a pulse of high-pressure and low- pressure air is created. This high-pressure/ low-pressure compressed-air goes through the muffler and will decrease the noise of the engine.
Think about a pair of noise-canceling headphones. This muffler was created utilizing a similar idea. The gas exhaust goes into the muffler through a chamber and gets routed through a long tube.
When the exhaust gas enters the muffler, it then creates a different sound wave that is completely opposite of the engine sound it is cancelling. The sound-cancelling process ultimately cancels the engine sound before the sound comes out of the muffler.
Without the muffler you would be hearing the noise of what your engine originally produces and everyone would know when you were coming down the road. The engine would be loud without the muffler.
Symptoms Of A Bad Muffler
Signs your muffler needs to be replaced include:
#1. Exhaust Sounds Louder.
Probably the most noticeable symptoms of a muffler problem is the sound: your exhaust sounds louder. This usually means your muffler system has a hole in it, or a piece has come loose, and needs to be fixed or replaced by a muffler shop immediately.
There are a few different types of muffler sounds. Understanding the differences may help you diagnose your problem.
Different muffler sounds:
- Louder engine noise usually indicates a hole or crack in the muffler system.
- Rattling or vibration may indicate that the muffler is coming loose.
- Bouncing, or the sound of a pebble in a can, may indicate that the insulation inside the muffler is coming loose and needs repair.
- Engine backfiring, in the form of a large pop, means there’s a problem with your muffler system.
If you ignore this problem, you may damage other pieces in your muffler system and create a much larger problem. Plus, it is entirely possible to be ticketed for too much noise! Again, an increase in engine sound is the last loud gasp of a muffler telling you to fix it.
#2. Smelly Fumes.
It’s the sound of your muffler failing that often your ears will pick up on first, however, where there is smoke, your nose knows! You should make regular inspections to get a sense of the smell of exhaust fumes coming from your car, and, as the muffler fails, you may notice an increase in the amount of exhaust fumes exiting the vehicle.
Additionally, fumes may even enter through the vehicle’s cabin, which is dangerous and a situation to avoid if possible.
Please don’t roll down the windows and carry on with your day as usual, as fumes are harmful to you and to the environment. If you notice that your car now has a different smell, I would recommend taking the vehicle to your mechanic as soon as possible.
#3. Rust – Colored Puddles.
Unlike a sudden increase in engine noise, checking for puddles of condensation and rust is straightforward and can help you detect muffler issues before they become serious problems.
When starting your car, it’s normal for there to be a few drops of water that drip from the exhaust pipe. This water drips from condensation from the muffler as it heats up and cools down. The rust forms when some of this water that builds up is unable to drain out.
Another sign of rust buildup in your muffler is a continuous stream of water leaking from your exhaust pipe, or rust-colored droplets leaking from the muffler, in this case, I would recommend going to a mechanic fairly soon.
You may also see rust buildup on the exterior of your muffler itself, especially if your muffler has been exposed to large amounts of salt in the winter.
If you are in a position to get under your car, a simple visual inspection may give you clues if rust has built up inside your muffler. A preventive annual undercarriage wash can greatly reduce the chances of rust forming and potentially save you a muffler repair.
#4. Loss of Fuel Economy and Sluggish Performance.
A muffler not only quiets the sounds of a working engine, but it is also a key component of the exhaust system and is directly tied to your vehicle’s performance. When exhaust passes quickly through the exhaust system, it allows the engine to burn additional fuel quickly, making the engine perform better.
If your vehicle is running hot, your muffler may be the reason. If rust builds up inside of the muffler it can damage the muffler’s internal chambers so exhaust doesn’t flow through it properly; which, over time, can hurt fuel economy.
Your engine has to work too hard to expel exhaust and burn fuel, and a hot-running engine can damage other parts of your vehicle over time.
When Is A Muffler Ready To Be Replaced?
How long does a muffler typically last? Most new mufflers last 40,000 – 80,000 miles or two to four years, depending on your driving conditions and the make and model of your vehicle.
If you live and drive in particularly wet conditions, such as on a coastline with salty ocean air or in an area that experiences heavy snowfall with roads that are often salted, the lifespan of a muffler is even shorter.
If you are approaching this time frame or you notice that your muffler begins to show any of these previously mentioned bad muffler symptoms, it is time to begin to think about muffler replacement or repair. But don’t panic.
If you can recognize the signs of a bad muffler at an early stage, muffler replacement will be a fairly low-cost repair and will keep your vehicle running in a condition that is not for show.
If you do notice you have muffler issues and you allow those problems to persist, your muffler will ultimately lead to issues that are much more extreme and costly to repair (and likely necessary as your muffler will likely become inoperable over time).
How To Replace A Muffler?
Replacing a muffler involves quite a few steps, each step should be clearly understood to avoid any unforeseen issues related to the repairs. Here are the steps to replace a muffler:
- Before any work should take place, make sure you put on any appropriate safety gear, like goggles or work gloves.
- Make sure you remove the car battery. Removing the car battery ensures the chance of you starting the car while you are working on it is eliminated.
- Park and position your car. Make sure you park your car on a flat surface and then apply the wheel chocks on the flat surface to keep the wheels from turning as you’re working on the next step.
- Lift the car and put it in the lift points. You will want to remove the car from the ground. Position the lift jack under the car first, then start raising the vehicle to a comfortable height to install your lift points to keep the car off the ground while you are replacing the muffler.
- Remove the existing muffler. Using a socket wrench, remove the bolts on the muffler clamps (the bolts may require lubrication to help loosen them) and cut the muffler out of the existing piping. Then you will need to remove the muffler hangers from the rubber muffler hanging mounts. While you are cutting the existing piping, only cut the pipes belonging to the muffler.
- Measure the new muffler. Test fit the new muffler to the existing piping by measurement and if it fits properly, start the process of installing the muffler. You will attach the hangers to the rubber hanger mounts and then attach the muffler to the new piping. Finally, you will want to spray some exhaust sealant on the new piping connection. Be aware it may take some time for the sealant to harden properly.
- Reconnect battery and check for leaking. After sufficient time has passed allowing the sealant to attach to the piping, reconnect the battery to the car and run the vehicle to see if there is a muffler leak. If everything is accounted for and functioning properly, you are ready to go!
Exhaust System Repair Cost
If you don’t have the muffler replaced, much worse will begin to happen to the exhaust system. Usually, if the muffler gets rusted, the rust will work its way up the exhaust system. Replacing only the muffler may be difficult.
If the car is older, the muffler may be welded into the exhaust system. in either case, it is a lot easier to replace the entire exhaust system.
In fact, if the muffler is really rusty, and you cannot separate it from the exhaust system, that may be all you can do.
Muffler Cost Factors
The cost for mufflers can range between $160-$240 and varies depending on what needs to be replaced and how much labor is involved. Some muffler repairs can involve replacing broken clamps.
If you suspect you have exhaust problems, get a free inspection. The longer you wait, the worse your problems will get. A mechanic can tell you exactly what is wrong and provide a price estimate.
If the muffler only has small holes, you could patch your muffler up, but most likely, eventually, you’ll have to replace the entire muffler. Patching the holes is a temporary solution.
In fact, it’s likely you’ll have more holes in the next few months and you will be right back to the same problem. Mechanics are going to recommend replacing the entire muffler, because patching the holes is a temporary solution.
How To Save Money On Muffler Replacement
Car repairs can be very costly and that cost can pile up fast, depending on what needs to be done. Fortunately, there are a few different ways to save some money on muffler replacement. Here are some suggestions:
- Do It Yourself: As long as you have the right tools to do it, you can repair a muffler. You will end up spending money on the parts; however, you can save money on the cost of labor because you are doing it. This will be a good way to save some money on muffler repair. There are sites online where you can get parts sometimes for cheaper. A lot of shops will mark up the parts they install, so the part itself is marked up. Another important point is that when you buy parts, you need to read the part numbers to make sure they are the correct parts before you install them, to avoid having to make two trips to get it right.
- Warranty: Another option for saving money on muffler repair is to use your warranty for your new vehicle. If you have a new vehicle, you could be under warranty for up to 60,000 miles, so you would get the repair done and not have to pay for it, provided that the warranty covers it.
- Coupons: Before you take your vehicle into a repair shop, check for deals or coupons first. They often do have promotions and seasonal specials for repairs from larger shops, which is a great way to help save money on muffler repair.
Lifespan Of A Muffler
Mufflers typically need to be replace for a few different reasons, whether it clogs from just the right objects, or they have holes and rusted out just from age.
Mufflers are often replaced just due to old age. There’s no definitive answer on the lifespan of a muffler. The average lifespan is about 10 years, but can range from 5 to 15 years depending on different factors.
Several environmental factors can change the lifespan of a muffler. For example, things that can shorten the lifespan include exposure to rain, snow, and salt. These weathering conditions can wear the muffler down quicker, lead to hole forming, and cause rust spots to appear.