Whether you currently have a broken exhaust or not, learning how to fix exhaust pipe without welding is a topic that should interest you. Who knows what may happen the next minute you hit the road? If your exhaust eventually breaks while you are far away from a welder, you need to do something to fix it. Driving a car with a leaky exhaust is illegal and unsafe. You will also be embarrassed by the sound of your vehicle. So, let’s take a look at the solution. I mean;
How can you fix an exhaust pipe without welding?
Firstly, it is possible to fix an exhaust pipe if you cannot weld or don’t have a welder nearby. There are also different ways to fix an exhaust based on the gravity of the damage. The first thing you need to do when you suspect you have a leaky or broken exhaust pipe is to jack your vehicle up and ensure the job is resting on a concrete floor, then place jack stands underneath the car. Give the exhaust some time to cool down and then proceed to inspect the damage. If what you have is a broken exhaust pipe, a flex pipe and two clamps will do the job. But if the damage is just a hole, see if the hole is a small or big one. You can use only exhaust tape or epoxy to seal a pinhole or tiny crack. But if the hole is large, then you are going to need a patch and an epoxy. Keep in mind that if you don’t use a patch, then you won’t have a perfect seal.
So, yes, you can fix your exhaust pipe without welding it, and it would last for a considerable period. Now continue reading for steps you need to follow.
Fixing Exhaust Pipe Without Welding: How To Get It Done Quickly
Your exhaust pipe could break at any time and place, no matter how careful you drive on the road. The damage could be a result of the exhaust pipe accidentally hitting potholes, road bumps, stones, and other solid objects. It could also be a result of rusting, which would weaken the strength of the exhaust pipe and cause it to break easily.
Alright, so if you find yourself in a situation where your exhaust pipe is damaged, what can you do to fix it? For the records, you can’t drive a car with a broken exhaust pipe on the road just because you couldn’t get a welder to help you fix it on the spot. Doing so will get you into big trouble with the authorities.
The fact that you will also be endangering the lives of other road users, including your passengers, is something that should discourage you from driving a vehicle with a broken exhaust pipe on the road.
Anyway, that’s why this post was created. The objective is to provide information that will help you fix your car’s exhaust pipe, which you could even use for an extended period until you have the money to get a replacement. A new exhaust would be more expensive. So, if you don’t have the finances to replace your broken exhaust pipe, follow these tips to have it fixed for the time being.
Step#1 – Jack up your vehicle
Alright, it’s time for work! Get your jack out and get the vehicle jacked up. Ensure the jack is lying on a solid surface, probably, a concrete floor. Don’t be in haste, and make the mistake of placing your jack on a sandy place or grasses. The weight of the vehicle will eventually cause the jack to give way, or sink into the ground. And that could be dangerous for anyone lying underneath the car in such a condition.
Warning: Even if you placed your jack on a concrete surface, do not go underneath for any reason, until you have your jack stands placed under the car. Do not go underneath if the vehicle is supported only by the jack. It’s extremely dangerous, my friend.
Step#2 – Give the exhaust some time to cool down.
It will take a while for a hot exhaust to cool down, but then it is worth the wait. It is not a good idea to sustain burns and incur more expenses.
Once the exhaust cools down, observe the extent of the damage. As I said before, you can use exhaust tape or epoxy to seal a pinhole or small crack. But if the hole is large, then you are going to need a patch and an epoxy. And remember that if you don’t use a patch, you won’t have a perfect seal.
However, if you are dealing with a broken exhaust pipe, then you need to try something different. Alright, let’s move to the next step.
Step#3 – Clean up the exhaust
It is common for exhausts to have dirt and rust around the pipe. However, before you fix it, try to remove the dirt and make it as clean as possible. Brush the sand and other particles off your exhaust, but ensure you are wearing eye protection before you go underneath the vehicle unless you don’t mind having some dirt and grease in your eyes.
Step#4 – Get a flex pipe (comes with clamps)
Before you get your flex pipe, I advise that you measure your exhaust pipe to determine the wideness. Then go ahead and get your flex pipe, but ensure the one you are getting is slightly bigger, so it can slide over the exhaust pipe.
Flex pipes usually have two clamps. So, after you slide the flex pipe over one side of the cut exhaust pipe, connect the other part of the exhaust pipe. Now, fix the exhaust clamp, one on each side of the exhaust pipe, on top of the flex pipe.
At this point, the sound of your vehicle should be better. In short, you can now put on your car to test it. This method of fixing exhaust without welding is something you can do yourself. You don’t need a professional for this. It is also a more affordable and quick option that tends to hold up for quite a while. So, you may be able to use and save up for a new exhaust.
Please take note: Remember that you don’t have to take down your exhaust to fix it. Just get a flex pipe that can pass through the exhaust pipe. And there should not be too much space between the flex pipe and the exhaust pipe after fixing the former. Also, after setting the flex pipe, you can now attach the clamps and tighten them.
What Causes Exhaust Leaks In Vehicles?
Many things can cause exhaust to start leaking or get broken. One of them is rusting. Over time, exhaust pipes get rusty, as with other metals. The rust can make the metal weaker and cause it to break when the bottom of your car accidentally hits a pothole, speed bump, or a massive solid object.
The underside of a lower vehicle may bottom out often on things such as potholes and speed bumps and could break or develop a leakage, as a result. Furthermore, another factor that could result in exhaust leaks is cracks. When there is a crack in the piping, a leakage can develop from there.
Reasons Not To Drive A Car With Broken Exhaust Pipe
Well, I mentioned getting into serious trouble with the law as one of the reasons not to drive a vehicle with a broken exhaust on the road. But then, there are other reasons you should not drive your car under such conditions besides being pulled over by a law enforcement agent and penalized.
One of the reasons you should consider fixing your exhaust pipe right away is fuel economy. The exhaust serves as a critical part of the vehicle that helps to remove fumes. So, if there is an issue with the exhaust of your car, you should expect a reduction in fuel efficiency.
Additionally, a vehicle emits a dangerous gas called carbon monoxide whenever the engine is working. And carbon monoxide is the last gas that you or your passengers should ever inhale. It can cause dizziness, headache, and death.
So, always make sure your exhaust pipe is in order before you hit the road. You can have a professional check your exhaust, together with other parts of your vehicle occasionally. The thing is, you can’t be sure when the exhaust will finally become broken or starts leaking. But when you inspect your car regularly, you should be able to identify the problem before it becomes worst.
Conclusion
This post is all about how to fix exhaust pipe without welding. I understand welding or getting a new exhaust could be quite expensive. But this method I have just highlighted won’t get you to break the bank. The process is also quick and straightforward, as you can see from the explanation. It will buy you some more time to save up for a new exhaust or do other repairs on your exhaust pipe.
