Hole in Muffler - What should I do?

I noticed a hole in the muffler of my pretty much brand new tacoma. I have not taken it off-road (aside from getting to a few hiking trails). It has about 1k miles on it. Maybe two months ago, I do remember hearing something hit underneath the truck on the highway, but didn't see this when I inspected it at home. The hole is definitely pushing some exhaust out. You can hear it if you listen closely and feel it with your hand near it.

Should I expect the muffler to need to be replaced or something a shop can just put a patch on? I can weld but don't have one at home. I also saw some at-home patching products but I would assume they're junk? I guess I get to learn about exhaust now since this happened and my corolla is down with a stolen catalytic converter.

 

You could try to find someone selling their stock car back or giving it away and just swap it out. Could go aftermarket exhaust, my AFE catback sounds great and zero drone.

With how expensive oem is you could also file an insurance claim but honestly probably not worth it unless you have a very low deductible , but obviously could affect your premiums having a claim.

 

Sorry are you referencing the truck or the car when mentioning an insurance claim?

Does a hole like the picture really kill the whole muffler? Unfortunately the car didn't have full coverage ('08 Corolla). The truck does have full coverage and I can imagine if the whole exhaust needs to come out it a pretty expensive repair.

 

Won't be covered under warranty and for the cost I doubt insurance would be worthwhile to bother with.

There's loads of used mufflers in my market, its bolt in, so its long but as long as its the same doors and bed length it will fit.

 

Not worth trying to weld a patch on it?

 

Put a square aluminum patch over the hole and tac weld it in place.

 

Won't look pretty, but that sliced up piece can be dug out a little bit and welded back to fill the hole.

Well, that's what I would do, but I have a welder...

 

I got a whole new muffler for $100 installed at a local shop. Still good 3 years later.

I would br tempted to weld a patch on if it were mine though.

 

This is no big deal and definitely not a Toyota issue. Take it to your local mom and pop muffler shop and get it replaced.

 

Look in the buy/sell/trade thread and if someone is selling their stock exhaust.

 

Looks patchable to me

 

This is a good thought. I have also been thinking about buying a welder anyway. Probably will patch it one way or another. Good to know the Muffler is pretty replaceable though, even in a worse case scenario.

 

Or just put some JB Weld on it

 

^You mean this? Doesn't work well:

$17 J-B Weld ExhaustWeld 2" x 72" Repair Wrap, White

https://www.amazon.com/J-B-Weld-ExhaustWeld-Repair-Wrap/dp/B09BBHSJ9Z/

The OE muffler is stainless and better quality than a lot of the aftermarket mufflers. Pry out the bit that caved in and either weld it yourself or take it to a muffler shop to get it welded.

 

Yeah especially with the Corolla needing welding I think I’ll just weld a patch. Taking recommendations on at home machine. I even have 240 near the garage.

 

Roll past a local muffler shop and tell them what you want done. Kind of like this " I have a hole in my muffler the size of a a 50 cent piece" '' I need you to put a patch on it" End of story. Perhaps $ 75 clams.

 

You can weld aluminum to stainless steel?

 

Hell if I know! I'm just a random guy on the internet. You shouldn't trust anything I say...including that!

 

Straight pipe that bitch!