Muffler rusted out and hanging so I broke it off. Should I leave it this way?

[Thymeclock]

Originally Posted by Bdorion1

Well I know there is a difference in cars after 1996 because they have an OBD-II port. Its my understanding the emissions test is all electronic? Maybe thats a misunderstanding, but in my mind a muffler wouldn't reduce any pollution anyways (other than noise) so I don't see how they could fail me just for that. Maybe my mechanic gave me a break, or maybe yours was trying to rip you off by charging you to fix the hole. Maybe someone else has a better idea of how this works than me.

Cars made before the OBD port became common were required to have the dynamometer test. That involved driving it on a treadmill-like emissions test machine at the equivalent of highway speed and inserting a sniffer probe in the tailpipe. (The guy was just being picayune about the tailpipe, but they can do that.) The emissions test for later model vehicles that have OBD is still enforced. But they scrapped the dyno test; and I was very happy to hear that because it was becoming increasingly more difficult to find an inspection station that had a dyno machine that was functional.

If I'm gonna try to do the repair myself how do I attach the pipe to the triangular shaped hole on the catalytic converter? Or does it have to be a pipe made for this specific car? I guess thats kind of an off topic question for this site, but since you've been through this I might as well ask.

Yes, when you go to the auto parts store they will know what parts you will need based upon your model of the car. The triangular ended pipe is a flange mount - if a kit is required they can supply it.

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by toc

Get us some photos, suggestions are better when what's needed can be seen.

I had rivets in mind to avoid welding (I don't own a welder, never welded either).
Silicone or other adhesives came to mind too, but they might not be temperature proof (as it's got to last, duct tape just won't do for this).

You've never done this before, have you.

[toc]

Nope. I figured welding was the best fix to it - probably the only fix. I was mostly interested to see how bad it was.