I need advise about a repaired exhaust pipe?

Question

I really need some advise and professional thoughts on this.

About two weeks ago, I needed to go get an exhaust leak fixed on my 2006 Dodge Stratus. I went to Midas. When I went to get it fixed, they told me and showed me where the leak was coming from. It wasn't a hole, but it was a cracked part of the resonator. They were going to order a whole new pipe, I assume from the Cat Convertor to the end, but then later came in and said they don't make that pipe, so they would have to just cut and paste basically with a new resonator and weld. I just thought okay...and went ahead.

The next day we took a long 10 hour drive each way, and I noticed vibrating, hitting sounds when we would go over a speed bump or drive around a corner. I looked under the car and it was held in the back by a rubber device to hold it on, so it swings and must be hitting parts of the car.

1st, Is this type of repair normal? Is that rubber device, no bigger than 4 x 3 inches typically used and are hitting sounds like that fairly normal in repairs?

2nd, The next day we went on a trip and although the exhaust leak sound is gone, I got really sick, the chills and nausea and to this day, about 1 1/2 weeks later, I find myself still with a sore throat and cough. I just feel like there is some exhaust coming into the car making me feel this way, regardless of how I drive windows open or closed. It isn't a strong smell, and I hardly can smell anything. It may just be mental, but it feels like the sore throat comes back after driving in the car. This is not an old car, so I don't know what to think. Anyone with experience, do you know about this type of thing ever happening? Is there a way to check if carbon odors are inside the car if they are barely visible?

So, my questions are above and I am going in tomorrow to get them to check this out, but before I do I wanted to get your advise.

Answer 1

My adviCe would be to have them replace the rubber hanging bracket with a solid metal one to stop the banging.  The rubber type is ok, but if it bothers you, change it.  If you don't smell anything, the problems you describe with the cough and cold are probably just one of those things and not caused by the exhaust system, but have them double check it when they change the hanger.

Answer 2

for starters carbon monoxide is an orderless gas.  the fumes you might be experiencing are from the sulfur i in the gasoline. second of all the piece of rubber that you described is probably stock all cars exhaust are mounted that way.  the noises are probably from where they left one of the hangers (the pieces of rubber) off when they repaired the leak.  it really sounds like to me if you are smelling the exhaust in the car your leak is not stopped.  in my experience Midas is not the best place to take a car for exhaust repair if there are any other places where you are from that do exhaust work i would take it there.

Answer 3

HI

I would go back to the installer and tell them that the pipe is hitting something when you take a corner and go over speed bumps.. also tell them that you think you can smell exhaust in the car`.. even if its not relayed to the pipe they installed it needs to be checked for other luck..

good luck

tim