Stop replacing your entire exhaust for a simple leak

I see posts all the time where someone blows $400 on a full cat-back because their muffler has a tiny hole. Just hit it with some JB Weld ExtremeHeat. I fixed a rust spot on my 98 Civic for 8 bucks and its been holding for 6 months now. Anyone actually test that stuff before shelling out for a whole system?

2 comments

2 Comments

kellyg146d ago

Yeah that's a solid point about road salt. I had the same thing happen with a different patch job a few years back and it just crumbled after the first real winter. It's a bummer cause you think you saved money and then you're back in the same spot. I feel you on the welding too, fifty bucks for a real fix is way better than hoping glue holds on the highway. These days I just check for rust around the welds and clamps first, if it's spreading I go ahead and replace the section. But man it still stings every time you have to spend more than you planned on an exhaust.

terry17d ago

JB Weld is decent for small stuff but you gotta be real careful with exhaust patches... that stuff can crack if the pipe flexes too much. A 98 Civic might be fine because the system is pretty simple but newer cars with more complex bends can't handle a rigid patch like that. The real issue is that a muffler leak usually means the whole thing is rotting from the inside out anyway. I'd rather pay a shop 50 bucks to weld a proper patch than risk a JB Weld failure at highway speed. That 6 month test is good but wait until winter road salt hits it, then you'll see if it really holds.