exhaust louder, dripping water near resonator

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by wrothgar, Nov 2, 2015.

  1. wrothgar

    wrothgar Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2014
    80
    16
    0
    Location:
    oakville, ontario
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Noticed a louder sound to my exhaust. Cuts out when ice shuts off. Haven't got a good look at the whole exhaust system from underneath but did see water drip out from the engine side of the resonator when the car was warming up. The sound is coming from about midpoint between the taiI pipe and the engine. I suspect the weld at the resonator junction is breaking. Is this common? Any suggestions for repair? 2008, Canada, 130000 km.
     
    #1 wrothgar, Nov 2, 2015
  2. wrothgar

    wrothgar Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2014
    80
    16
    0
    Location:
    oakville, ontario
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Well...looks like I was right....the exhaust separated from the resonator. I'm guessing this should go to a dealer, or can any mechanic handle this? I haven't taken my primus to anyone since getting it a year ago. Not sure if my usual mechanic would be comfortable with a hybrid. I also assume I shouldn't drive it, correct?
     
    #2 wrothgar, Nov 3, 2015
  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,200
    6,489
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    The installation of a new exhaust system is not a big deal, so if your mechanic can install a regular exhaust s/he should be able to handle the Prius.

    You can drive the car if you are not concerned about CO potentially leaking into the passenger compartment and poisoning you...or if you take steps to ensure you are getting fresh air.
     
    #3 Patrick Wong, Nov 3, 2015
  4. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2006
    11,356
    3,604
    1
    Location:
    Northern VA (NoVA)
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    This is not too common...leads me to wonder what gasoline sulfur levels you have in Canada. If it stainless steel wet chloride attack could explain cracking too. Chloride would not be expected but I do not know if additives have some or maybe it could have been one bad fill-up.
     
    #4 wjtracy, Nov 3, 2015
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    57,969
    39,995
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Exhaust systems have been lasting better for us, with our last couple of cars. Are they all stainless steel now?

    In the 80's~90's, mufflers would go occasionally, and at least once the mid-section pipe: just rusted out.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Nov 3, 2015
  6. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2005
    3,898
    1,900
    1
    Location:
    Trumbull, CT
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
    If your muffler shop uses an electric welder take care to isolate the exhaust system from the rest of the car. There have been reports of fried electronics when welding.

    JeffD
     
    #6 jdenenberg, Nov 3, 2015
  7. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2014
    2,002
    746
    0
    Location:
    Finland
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Normally Toyota exhaust rusts only on weld seams (and very light surface rust on some other places). If exhaust looks good other vice you can just weld that seam again and it should last at least 3 years. Other vice just replace it.
     
    #7 valde3, Nov 3, 2015
  8. wrothgar

    wrothgar Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2014
    80
    16
    0
    Location:
    oakville, ontario
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    It was in the weld seam. We've had 2 rough winters in a row for salt up here, so maybe that has helped the rust along. It was a quick fix at a muffler place....glad I didn't have to replace the whole thing.
     
    #8 wrothgar, Nov 4, 2015
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)