Exhaust problems are easy to ignore because most of them start as noise. The reason not to ignore them is that an exhaust leak ahead of the passenger compartment can put combustion gases where you are breathing, and a leak upstream of an oxygen sensor makes the engine run incorrectly and can trigger a check engine light.
Not every exhaust problem needs a whole new system. A cracked flange, a broken hanger, a blown gasket or a rusted section can often be repaired for far less than a replacement, and we will tell you which situation you are in.
What we handle
Leaks, ticking and fume smell
Manifold cracks and gasket failures often tick at cold start and quiet down as metal expands. That is a real repair, not a quirk.
Rattles and broken hangers
A rattle over bumps is usually a broken hanger, a loose heat shield or a failed internal baffle. These are cheap to fix and get expensive when they drag.
Rust and section failures
Failed pipe sections, flanges and clamps repaired at the joint where possible instead of replacing the entire system.
Diesel exhaust components
We service exhaust systems on diesel pickups and work trucks and repair them to operate as the manufacturer designed.
What is included
- Inspection of the full system from the manifold back
- Identification of the failed section and whether repair is possible
- Hanger, clamp, flange and gasket repair
- Confirmation that the noise or leak complaint is resolved
What is not included
- Emissions-defeat work, including catalytic converter or DPF removal
- Custom performance exhaust fabrication
What affects the price
We do not publish flat prices, because quoting a repair before diagnosing it is how people get surprised on the invoice. These are the factors that move the number on this type of job:
- Where the failure is, a manifold is a much bigger job than a mid-pipe hanger
- Corrosion, since seized and rusted fasteners add labor
- Whether a section can be repaired or the component must be replaced
- Vehicle height and access, as some systems are far easier to reach than others
How the job runs
- 1
Tell us what you hear
Loud all the time, ticking at cold start, rattling over bumps, or a droning at certain speeds.
- 2
Inspect on the lift
The full system is checked from the manifold to the tailpipe.
- 3
Repair or replace decision
We tell you plainly whether repairing the section is realistic or whether the part needs replacing.
- 4
Complete and verify
The repair is completed and the vehicle is run to confirm the leak or noise is gone.
Exhaust system replacement
Exhaust replacement becomes the right answer when the metal around a failure is no longer sound. Welding a patch onto a pipe that crumbles when you touch it wastes your money, and we would rather tell you that up front than have you back in a month.
Replacement work also has to respect how the system was engineered. Pipe diameter, muffler design and sensor locations all affect how the engine runs, so a system that merely bolts on is not the same as a system that is correct for the vehicle.
Mufflers and resonators
Replaced when the shell rusts through or the internal baffles fail, which is what causes both the roar and the loose rattle inside the case.
Pipes, flex sections and flanges
Corroded and cracked sections replaced with correctly sized components and new gaskets and hardware.
Exhaust manifolds and downpipes
Cracked manifolds and warped flanges replaced, including the broken studs that usually come with them.
Trucks and diesel work vehicles
Heavier systems on pickups and work trucks, replaced to run as designed rather than modified.
What is included
- Full system inspection to confirm which sections genuinely need replacing
- Replacement components with new gaskets, clamps and hangers as required
- Correct alignment and clearance so the system does not contact the body or driveline
- Post-repair run and leak check
What affects the price
- How many sections need replacement versus repair
- Whether broken manifold studs or seized fasteners have to be extracted
- Parts availability for the specific vehicle and engine
- Vehicle type, as a heavy-duty truck system costs more than a compact car system
- Do I have to replace the whole exhaust?
- Rarely. Most vehicles need one or two failed sections, not everything from the engine back. We only quote what has actually failed.
- Will you install a part I bought online?
- Call and ask. Fitment on aftermarket exhaust parts varies significantly, and we will tell you honestly whether it is worth the risk before you spend the money.
- Can you remove my catalytic converter to make it louder?
- No. We do not perform emissions-defeat work. We repair vehicles to operate as designed.
- How long does exhaust replacement take?
- Many jobs are same day. Seized hardware, broken manifold studs or a special-order part can extend it, and we will tell you before we start.
Where we do this work
All work is performed at our shop at 690 6th Street, Prescott, AZ 86301, Mon - Fri: 7:30am - 5:00pm. Customers regularly drive in from Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, Dewey-Humboldt.