7 Signs Your Exhaust Needs Welding, Not Replacing
Many exhaust problems are broken welds, cracked pipes or loose hangers that can be repaired with welding for less than a new system. Signs include a rattle, dragging or hanging pipe, louder sound, a hissing or ticking leak, a burning smell, a failed emissions check or a rough idle. Get it inspected before it gets worse.
The signs
- Rattling or scraping under the car. Often a loose hanger, broken heat shield or pipe contacting the frame.
- A pipe hanging low or dragging. A broken hanger or a cracked weld at a joint.
- A suddenly louder exhaust. A crack or hole upstream of the muffler or a failed seam.
- Hissing, ticking or puffing at startup. A leak at a flange or manifold connection.
- Burning or exhaust smell inside the cabin. Do not ignore it: exhaust gases can enter the vehicle. Get it checked quickly.
- Rust holes or flaking at the muffler seam. If the rest of the pipe is solid, a section can be cut out and welded.
- Rough idle or a failed emissions check tied to a leak. Sometimes a leaking joint, not a failed part, is the cause.
Weld or replace?
If the metal around the problem is still solid, welding is usually a faster and cheaper fix than a full replacement. If the pipe is rusted thin along its length or the muffler is rotted through, replacing that section makes more sense. We tell you honestly which one you have.
What we do
Poncho Welding repairs and builds exhaust systems across the Denver metro area, including custom dual exhaust, Flowmaster and performance installs, and catalytic converter connection repair. Many repairs are done at your driveway with our mobile rig, and bigger builds at our Arvada shop.
Send us a photo of the damage and your vehicle model on WhatsApp and we will tell you what we think and give you a quote.
A safety note
If you smell exhaust inside the vehicle or feel dizzy while driving, stop, get fresh air and have it inspected before you drive again.
Got a rattle or a leak? Send us a photo.
