Failed emissions, exhaust leak?

[free5ty1e]

So, got the 92 ss down to oregon DEQ for emissions testing yesterday. Valve cover gaskets still drip onto exhaust but at idle it reaches a steady state where it doesn't smoke visibly. After driving around, it smokes for a good 5 mins before calming down.

This was, as I saw, good enough to pass the visual smoke test.

The exhaust sniffer, on the other hand, said I have a leak somewhere and cant pass until its fixed. (Co2 readings were around 4.7, the guy said it needed to be at least 6 before he could pass it, said I probably have an exhaust leak somewhere)

So, gonna back it into the tiny garage and get under the rear to check it out. I suspect the muffler, which is probably original lol...but I have absolutely zero experience here, will this be an obvious rust surrounded hole? Any advice on how best to locate this hole while under the car and not on a lift? Feel for it with my fingers on the top? Use a telescoping mirror?

How best to plan a repair? Just metal tape? Some sort of exhaust repair kit? Does it make more sense to just have an exhaust shop replace my cat back with 3" piping and a straight thru muffler (assuming I can find another one for $35) instead of attempting to repair it myself? I would eventually replace the cat and downpipe to match but I dont have a lot of cash to work with at the moment.

Hmm.....


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[cj91legss]

Start the car on a cold morning and it a little bit of gas, it should be getting cold enough to see it. That may help.

[Legacy777]

Stick a rag or something over the exhaust opening during cold startup to help force more ehaust out the leak (assuming there is one).

You mentioned that it has the stock muffler, is the rest of the exhaust system stock?

[free5ty1e]

Ah, good ideas... thanks!

Yep, this is the stock exhaust system on this car.

How are impressions / experiences of exhaust repair kits or just wrapping a found hole in metal tape? Will that be enough to pass emissions? Is there a way to borrow an exhaust sniffer from Autozone or something so I can test once I think I have it repaired? Or just take it in for another pass at the official test?

I'm wondering if it's worth my time to try and find the leak if it's probably a muffler thing, and maybe time to upgrade the exhaust from the cat-back as a first step... but if the DIY repair really is feasible, I'm interested

[Legacy777]

I think it depends on how big the leak is. If it's a small leak and you're not wanting to spend money ugrading the muffler or piping, just wrap it in the tape so it will pass emissions.

[Legacy777]

Out of curiosity, what were your other emisssions values like?

[free5ty1e]

I wasnt too familiar with the other readings and only saw the test briefly on his screen... but the big arrow was steady in the center of the green area. His only concern was the co2 output.

...also its a moot point now, I shimmied under the muffler yesterday and just started laughing.

Mufflers usually have bottoms, right? Lol


Yeah. Its not a small hole. Ill post a photo from me laptop later.

Needless to say, im taking this as an opportunity to upgrade the exhaust from the cat back for now as that should be cheapish.

Found a 3" inlet/outlet glasspack for $35 again (appears to be the same deal I got for my 94 glasspack and ive been pleased with that) on ebay, then gonna just have them bend up a 3" section of pipe at the shop. That oughta doo eet.

Then later on I can upgrade the cat and downpipe to match.


Good to know though, if I did have a small hole I coulda just sanded the rust and wrapped with metal tape and itd probably have been just fine.

Thanks!



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[free5ty1e]

Update: photos of muffler for max lulz






....awesomeness, methinks.

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[rallyak]

One or two pieces of muffler tape and she be as good as new.

[free5ty1e]

LOL.... or are you serious?

Im morbidly curious now.... is this actually DIY repairable?

Still getting the glasspack on general principle but... inquiring minds want to know

[cj91legss]

Tape a coffee can to it lol.

[lucas]

mother of God that is the most excellent muffler ever. Shame on oregon for not passing you. Make sure you fart alot before you go so when you open the window the attendant passes out from your fumes of justice.