Quick Question: Mufflers
 

All right, here's the deal: Recently, while just driving down the street (just regular ol' driving) my muffler started, well, not muffling. I drive an '89 240DL Volvo sedan. It went from sounding like a Volvo should to sounding how a Honda with a glass pack sounds. Now, I think it's rather humorous to drive around town with a Volvo that sounds like that, but the problem is that I'm trying to sell this car. My question is, how much should I knock off for the muffler? Insofar as I can tell, there's no visible outer damage to the muffler; a friend suggested that I may have lost some of the weld around the muffler and that's what's causing it.

So roughly, how much does replacing a muffler cost, so I know how much to take off the sale price?

Thanks in advance.

Are you sure it is the muffler? Sometimes, the piping going back to the muffler itself will rust out and such, creating holes and loud sounds like that. Get it up on a life or some stands, and take a look.

It can be quite expensive depending on where you go. I'd guess $150-300 depending on if they replace the exhaust pipe. More if they try to sell you a new catalytic converter.

Start by identifying the source of the sound. Can you look underneath? Lots of rust in the pipe? Holes? It's easier to gauge condition when it's on a rack. Maybe stop by a couple shops for estimates? Be sure to explain you're selling the car and don't need perfection.

If it's the muffler you could try replacing it yourself. Not too difficult a job if the pipe isn't rusted out.

You're still in Corvallis? Call Knechts. They should have several to choose from. No need to get the high-end version for a car that probably won't see another 50K miles. You'll need an exhaust clamp or two also, depending on layout.

The cart's getting ahead of the horse. Let us know.

Well, the neighbor of the girl I'm trying to sell my car to looked at it (he's a mechanic) and said it was just a bit of weld that had come off. So no biggie :) and an easy fix if she wants to buy it. Which it looks like she does, so here's hoping.

Good thing thats all it is...Muffler arn't cheap, but of corse I got duel Flowmasters on my car:D

replacing a muffler can be cheap as long as you buy cheap stuff. piping isnt that expensive either. I got a complete true dual system with 40 series flowmasters and 3.5x22" chrome exhaust tips for $300 installed. If you find a local place and a "so and so sent me" it could be replaced for $50-100

And typically i have found places around here that charge $10 a weld.

Well, it's no worry now--the car is sold :)