How to Repair a Loud Muffler
Mufflers are part of the exhaust system of a vehicle to silence the noise that would otherwise be heard. You probably have heard a vehicle that has a defective muffler. Many mufflers can become rusted and if they do small holes appear, which cause them to become loud. Often you can repair the muffler yourself until it can be replaced.
- You
will need muffler patch tape, a wire brush, rags, goggles, and
scissors, a floor jack, two chocks, two jack stands, and a
flashlight to complete repairing a small hole in your muffler. - Put
the vehicle's emergency brake on. Place the two wheel chocks on the
front tires to make sure the vehicle does not move when you lift the
back end up with the jack. Put the floor jack toward the frame and
raise it up high enough to slide the two jack stands right under
both frames in the rear of the car. Once secured in place, lower the
floor jack and remove it. The vehicle is now resting on the jack
stands. - Bring
a flashlight with you and slide yourself under the vehicle. Look
closely using the flashlight to see if you find rust or any small
holes in the muffler or any part of the exhaust. If you do, this is
what is causing the noise. - Put
on a pair of safety goggles and using a wire brush scrape and clean
the rust and any other damage you may see. Wipe it completely clean
using a rag. - Use
the muffler patch tape and wrap it completely around the muffler
over the visible hole(s). You will need to wrap it around several
times overlapping each pass by about half of an inch. Using your
scissors cut the tape from the roll and then press the end of the
tape on top of the tape you just applied. Smooth it out. When you
start your vehicle and the muffler gets hot, it automatically sets
and cures the tape making your muffler quieter.