How to Patch a Muffler Hole (Before and After Pics)

Curious as to how long it takes to cure and what it should look like after it's done. Check out the before and after photos. Watch as I patch my muffler hole. I stop it from spewing out exhaust gases on the passenger side of my vehicle. I did this job very quickly and had to let it dry for 24 hours. I am thinking this wasnt long enough as it was a little soft and not completely hard. I would say 30+ hours would be fine. This is kind of like JB weld but not exactly. It is not that thick and can be applied very easily with some latex gloves. I applied this muffler weld liberally until no holes were found. You may want to do two coats of this muffler weld just to be safe.
Wire Brushes: amzn.to/2gtD1gY
Muffler Weld: amzn.to/2fmgyCY
Disclaimer: Each video that is produced and published is intended to be educational. Tips and tricks will be offered for your viewership. The outcome of your car repair is solely your responsibility. Research and a good thought process should be completed before each repair.

[@gta9209]

Good job showing how it actually preformed.

[@DDEENY]

I suppose that Muffler Weld is simply "furnace cement" that can be purchased at Home Depot and it's more economical to purchase that way if larger quantites are required. But scrap metal window screen should be used to create a patch that will bridge the hole. I did that for my 2003 Impala's orignal center muffler that was manufactured with a crimped center seam along the top that was prone to rusting out. I prepped the area by using a wire brush attachment chucked into a standard electric drill to remove as much surface rust as possible. Then I cut a piece of screen, shaped it to fit the curvature of the muffler and applied Cement all around the edges, pressed the screen into the Cement and applied more Cement over the entire repair area and over the screen, which holds the Cement and forms a solid patch. I allowed it harden overnight and started the car the next day, it was whisper-quiet like new! It was a wonderfully satifying and cheap repair effort, although the muffler still needed eventual replacement, it allowed me to squeeze 10-11 more months from that muffler. Thanks and Good Luck.

[@MrMesluk]

DDEENY great idea on the mesh, I could of used that on my 04 4runner.

[@Canakar360]

My mesh do you mean like the black screen material used for windows?

[@jsm9096]

It's a really smart idea! I'm glad I read your comment.

[@900stx7]

@@Canakar360 use the silver metal screen, not the black plastic.

[@santa_claus-north_pole]

Thank you for an "outcome". This video was a "hopefully it will hold up". Need to see success/failure. Thank you for your furnace cement secret!!

[@AJGvideos]

0422 code and cracks in all 3 manifold pipes. Used a shop vac to pull extremeheat into each crack. Cured 48 hrs then used vacuum and second coat to plug any missed areas. Cured 48 hours. On first 2 mile drive, the epoxy puffed out in areas going from smooth finish to bubbly surface, but no cracks. Drove on highway a few days later 15 miles and passed emissions. Will definitely change the manifold soon, but not until the epoxy cracks. Thanks Chris Fix! Used wire brush and 150 grit to prep, and 90% ipa to clean before epoxy application.

[@johnpillinger7220]

Had a huge hole in my muffler, you could fit a ping pong ball into it easily. Followed package instructions to a tee but had to go really thick to cover it. It did not dry in 24 hours in the middle of the hole, but around it did, shrinking the hole considerably. I resanded and applied another layer, this time it did not have to be so thick so it dried in 24 hours. Has been holding up great for over two weeks now and that is very impressive considering the size of the original hole. If it fails eventually, it is easy to reapply. It could fail every month and it would still be considerably cheaper to buy more and reapply than to replace the muffler over the course of two years.

[@johnpillinger7220]

Update: failed tonight. Got over 600 miles out of it. The whole patch appeared to fall off, so I don't think reinforcing the patch with chicken wire would have helped much. Overall I'm satisfied with the amount of time and miles it lasted. Will continue to use.

[@johnpillinger7220]

Another update: sanded the area didn't bother removing all of the old patch, and reapplied. Just got back from a 1700 mile road trip and it is still lasting! Going to use the Holts wide metal bandage and a fresh application of their muffler putty (Gun Gum) when it does eventually fail. Should be a VERY long lasting repair as it wraps the hole with a large metal sleeve with a hose clamp.

[@tomgiles2268]

thanks for the updates John!

[@johnpillinger7220]

Last patch failed at about 2200 miles total. Currently using steelstik from JB weld as the wide metal patch had not arrived yet. Applied it over a metal body patch that it similar to chicken wire. This patch is at about 1500 miles currently. Will use the wide metal patch from gun gum and update when this one fails!

[@johnnydtractive]

@@johnpillinger7220 Your updates are better than most videos about this. What we really want to know is: DID IT WORK? HOW LONG DID IT LAST? Thanks for taking the time to update us on each of your methods.

[@lockjaw5161]

i have tried muffler bandages from time to time the furnace cement is a great idea;)

[@gregshome1]

Thanks for the update, I'll do this today

[@gorillaoutdoorsman4329]

Great video man. 👍

[@michaelwalters2606]

....Good suggestions mentioned....I would use screening over hole, apply muffler or furnace cement or high temperature silicone and then cover patched area with sheet metal (furnace metal heat vent pipe would be perfect)....use Metal Hanger Strap (plumbing type) & nuts/bolts to hold tightly in place....good luck...

[@immybh8304]

Does this need to dry in a warm/dry place? I store my truck outside and don't have access to a garage!

[@mabast007]

How about using the Furnace or Oven cement? Have you thought about them?

[@BLACKRAIN390]

Use 36-40 grit, you don't want it smooth, it stick better to rough areas 👍

[@Nazareth434]

Something that might help it last longer, take a thin metal patch, and put it over the putty, and rivet the patch to the muffler. This will help keep the elements off the putty, p,us hold it together if it does crack. If you develop leaks later, just reputty over the metal patch- maybe even do so every six mo ths or so. Coipd even wrap muffler tape around the putty and metal patch too, and depending on where the hole is, like,on the tailpipe- clamp the muffler tape to help,keep,it inplace too.

My muffler had this same problem, chopped that sucker out and in went the straight pipe...it also helps to turn the radio up...

[@zakarayahenry640]

Can you sand it and blend it somehow after it dries properly

[@ctfford58]

so is it still sealed?

[@AutOdometer]

It's been almost a year and a half since this application. (Jun 23rd 18). The hole is back. The adhesive slowly started to flake off and is pretty much gone 1.5yrs later. The only real way to fix a leak like this permanently is to replace the muffler. Subscribe to be notified of when I actually do replace the muffler... cheers

[@hiltos]

Well you could weld it, instead of replacing it.

[@davegeraghty2187]

you havent actually said how long it held up

[@RandyGrace]

@@speedboxx He said it's been a year, and to subscribe for if and when he has to replace the muffler. That would indicate it was still holding 1.5 years later.

[@gryphon2240]

I made the exact type of repair, after 3 days the epoxy burned and came off. Never buy that product, waste of your money and time.

[@RandyGrace]

@@gryphon2240 you were using the high temp epoxy on the cooler end of the exhaust?

[@TechnoEveryday]

Can we use epoxy ir depoxy?

[@GaryGrumbles]

Did it hold up?

[@markabaxter]

Good video till the point you didn't show us the engine running afterwards!

[@AutOdometer]

+markabaxter oh you’re right lol. I had to rewatch since it’s been such a long time. It has been almost a year and it’s still holding :) I did have some issue where it dried and started falling off but it still allowed no exhaust gas to escape. I applied a little more to the flaking area and it’s holding.

[@robertmoitoza6035]

Will jb weld work ?

[@michaelwarren5311]

Did you start the vehicle while the muffler weld was still drying and if you did did the muffler weld crack or come off

[@AutOdometer]

no I waited at least 24 hours until starting up

[@Impellizzeri23]

How did it work???

[@Rockhounder285]

Will this Hold in the winter?!

[@temirtaragay8932]

I did have some issue where it dried and started falling off but it still allowed no exhaust gas to escape. I applied a little more to the flaking area and it’s holding.

[@chitownssniper2688]

did it work?

[@AutOdometer]

+chitowns sniper yes... I will have to put a picture on my website. It actually worked really well. It reduced the loud sound, the car actually started and sounded better, and no smoke was coming it. Just make sure you let it dry for 24-48hrs

[@chitownssniper2688]

thank you for sharing knowledge.

[@TheSinisterDad]

Have you been through an inspection with this? If so, how did they respond to this?

[@smiert13]

@@AutOdometer It DID NOT in long run !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@thestrappingentrepreneur2822]

Just fixed my muffler today lot of time with it being my first it was were the Catalan converter connected to the exhaust pipe. Tryed to liquid metal and it didn't work i used heat tape and taped the shit out of it. And it is a he'll of alot more quite. It may be alittl e sloppy. But it's better then before and only cost like 15 bucks worth of tape lol. The mechanic wanted me to spend 1000 dollars on a new exhaust system for a 25 year old Honda. I was like yea.. no lol I'll gladly fix it for 20 bucks every few months if I need to lobby the time the new exhaust will have saved me anything I'll have a new car

[@MBZXZ]

XD I know one of the acura only has oem jdm exhaust and it cost $2300 XD

[@derpsonmusic5895]

The intro was the best thing in this video 🤣🤣

[@AutOdometer]

I’ve come a long way since then lol

[@eduardochay9967]

Thank you very much help me a

[@isaiahayala5260]

You forgot to turn on the car to hear how it sounds 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@projessey1259]

I can barley see the lighting

[@nothankswhatnothing8570]

How long did it last?

[@AutOdometer]

3-6 months

[@johnoceanyang5522]

I just a 2019 Chevy 1500 and the damn cheap Chevy product the muffler already got a hole in it with 7kmiles Chevy suck. My old 2005 tundra with 241kmiles muffler still good condition.

[@AutOdometer]

Well this is a Toyota 4Runner. My next car I want is a Tundra the 2014 or newer edition

[@joemathis4620]

Start the dadburn car!!!!

[@PeteyMcSavage]

Will job weld work

[@AutOdometer]

JB Weld? I don’t know never worked with that. I assume that stuff would be stronger

[@miteBaMountainMan]

I haven't used the product in the video. JB Weld has a max temp of 700deg. Depending on where the muffler is located that may not work. Permatex has a muffler putty that has a max temp of 2000deg. I'm trying that out today.

[@mike5585]

@@miteBaMountainMan how did this go? I know it's a year later but I'm curious lol

[@miteBaMountainMan]

@@mike5585 The permatex muffler putty held for about 9 months. Then we started hearing the exhaust get louder. At 12 months most of the putty was gone. I don't think that's too bad. When I put the putty on I couldn't afford a new muffler. 12 months later I could.

[@mike5585]

@@miteBaMountainMan thanks for the information good sir.

[@boutdollaz4047]

Ay how long does it last?

[@ChristopherSmith-ly6ng]

I've tried it more than once and after about a month it just cracks and crumbles right off from the heat

[@kristopherhasenbuhler5393]

@@ChristopherSmith-ly6ng good to know. I want something to last 6 months or better

[@avalanchepenguin6268]

The problem with this stuff is that once it gets wet again during any rain, it comes off again and then you need to do it again.

[@AutOdometer]

yes I had to apply it again

[@saltpepper1894]

high temp silicone can get wet....& works just as well. i would use some window screen over the application of silicone to tie it all together, OR you could use the silicone over the weld material to seal it, altho the weld stuff could get condensation wet from the inside of muffler

[@Seek147.]

@@AutOdometer why didnt you use this then cover it with something like a tin can

[@Randomhumanbeing00]

@@Seek147. good idea. Thanks.

[@williamhaskellhaskell3162]

It's water proof. It's vibration and further rusting makes it fall out! 1.5 years is a muffler repair success!

[@TheGateKeeper001]

But will it pass inspection?

[@AutOdometer]

Good point. I dont know. We don’t have inspections in my state

[@jessepoker2008]

Why is it that almost every video of people who use this stuff never show the car running after applying? Seriously, that's the whole point of the video. You showed what it looked and sounded like before. But you only show what it LOOKS like after! Not what it sounds like. WTF!

[@williamhaskellhaskell3162]

Yes let's see the car run and the flaking off after 1.5 years!

[@RandyGrace]

Anyone know of something like this that doesn't take 24 hours to cure? I would rather not go without a car that long.

[@eady24]

Probably late on the subject, have you tried the tape method? I'm in process of doing mine in the morning when the car shop opens. Either way its only temporary fix

[@RandyGrace]

@@eady24 yes, I've used tape. It does cure quickly, but didn't last long for me. As you mentioned, it can be good for a temporary fix.

[@eady24]

@@RandyGrace fair enough. I've brought two types.. one is the tape and the other is the metal bandage with gun gum. So it should be fun when I get under it haha

[@raycrook4802]

Cheap heat gun from Walmart to speed drying

[@HondaTrumpAi]

@@raycrook4802 24hr cure.

[@jm5872]

I used this same stuff 4 times lasted 3 week all cracked off

[@AutOdometer]

Mine lasted longer than three weeks but yeah replacing it is the only way to fix totally

[@Jdww89]

Didn't fire it up wtf

[@bsanks5346]

I am an el cheapo engineer and have tried every product on the market. Everything is a complete waste of money. Just put your dollars on the leaky area and burn it, its more satisfying. I have even retried the same product, doubled amounts, combined multiple products, etc, and tried furnace or high heat patches for exhaust pipe and muffler repair. Nothing lasts more than 48 hours - 1 week max. The crap or goo will blow out almost immediately no matter how long you let it dry. The tape falls off. The exhaust repair folks are not trying to scam you out of your money. You need metal to contain exhaust gases, basic science. Learn how to replace your own exhaust or pay the money, you will save your time trying to monkey around with all these products. Oh - and by the way when you end up at the muffler shop they will just laugh at your fail anyway.

[@imaseeker100]

Well said. I have gotten an extra 6 months out of mid-pipe/tail pipe problems by wrapping it with metal flashing and a couple of hose clamps. Cheap, fast and effective. A rotted muffler or a split in the seam is another story.

[@Lady-Carmakazi]

Do you think patching a hole in an oil pan would work. It doesn't get as hot. Had a guy try to use stand under my oil pan poked a hole or not like injured cracked it, about a 1 inch area. Really pain in the butt to get a new oil pan. Wondering if I could patch it. Just have a feeling it won't hold up.

[@santa_claus-north_pole]

Too bad we didn' ee the "outcome". Only "hopefully it will hold up". Need to see success/failure.

[@thequietmechanic41]

I fixed mine for less than $1, and it only took 5 minutes.

[@camrynbennett1417]

How

[@wilborth5th]

No chance, the only way to fix a moffler problem is to replace it, I’ve done all of that spent lots of money at the end a moffler is not even that expensive and you can do it yourself is not rocket science

[@smiert13]

Bullshit, it worked for me for couple of weeks i think... You need something more flexible.

[@davegeraghty2187]

you say here a lot

[@macbirt56]

Would have been nice to see the final test where you actually run the engine so we can see and hear the difference. The fact that you didn't show us, implies that it didn't actually work.

[@jessicawinslet684]

Talk normal, it’s very cringe 😬 to hear you talk. Take some public speaking classes course or look up videos how to uhhhhhh … Talk. Lol 😂

[@imaseeker100]

Chill out. It's auto repair dumbass.

[@HondaTrumpAi]

xo, Thnx Karen

[@jessicawinslet684]

@@HondaTrumpAi anti-women what do you expect from a donald follower

[@britgagne6918]

Hold up. As a woman who cares a lot about language and communication and is definitely not a “Donald follower,” I do not support snide, uncalled-for criticism. Don’t come to KZbin expecting exclusive content from field experts with degrees in public speaking.

[@jessicawinslet684]

@@britgagne6918 omg im not extreme left I am a centralist ... I don't care about left of right .. if donald is a moron, I will call him out .. biden isn't exactly a great leader ... but he appears less dumb than donald.

[@thequietmechanic41]

I fixed mine for less than $1, and it only took 5 minutes.

[@chrisalarcon7013]

TheQuietMechanic how ?