I was wondering if anyone knows how long it would take to get a hole in your muffler about 4in in diameter?

Question

I have a 1995 Saturn SL2 and I know very little about cars. However, my dad said there's a hole in the muffler the size of the bottom of a small dinner plate. I was wondering about how long it would take for a hole in your muffler to accumulate to that size.

Answer 1

they are made of galvanized steel, heat, and moisture will wear away at this protctive coating, and epecially where your at they put down salt in the wintertime because if the ice and snow, so about 2 to 4 years is about rite.

Answer 2

less than a year.

Answer 3

Not driving your car for several days can shorten the life of the muffler, or very short, frequent trips can also shorten the life.

On the other hand, low-speed driving and exposure to salt-laden winter roads can reduce muffler life well below normal expectations.

see links below.

Answer 4

It depends on several factors. What type of climate do you live in is the biggest factor.If the vehicle sits for long periods of time. Moisture can build at one low spot inside the muffler causing it to rust thru

Answer 5

Hello from Delavan Wisconsin! If your hole is actually all the way through and not just on the mufflers outer skirt, It's probably been a couple of years since it started. Although one would think that about a year or a year and a half ago you would have been getting a pretty good idea that there was an exhaust leak because the car would have progressively gotten louder and louder.

Answer 6

Too many variables to consider.

The main contributing factor is the quality of the muffler and exhaust pipes in the first place.

If they were bought in a budget car car parts store or garage then an average life of 15-18 months is about the norm.

If you got them from a main dealer/garage I would expect longer and they will probably offer a warranty of their lifespan.

If you buy stainless steel muffler/exhaust components then they will likely last the life of the car but will cost you X 3 as much.

Unlikely to make a difference if the car was sold to you with a hole in the muffler or not as it is a consumable part and won't be covered by a warranty on the car.

You should have been able to hear that there was a hole in the muffler on your test drive or when you had a good look under the car. Are you saying you bought a car without getting and inspection done?