Crunched muffler 2010 RAV4

gassrav4 · 11-07-2012, 11:28 AM

Last spring my wife hit a pot hole and a piece of asphalt flipped up under the SUV and crunched the front of the muffle. The muffler doesn't seem to leak and the SUV still runs quiet, so I've let it go. Yesterday she had the SUV in for an oil change at the dealer, they said $1,600 to replace the muffler/exhaust system. I told her sounds like BS. I wonder if our local muffler shop can cut it off and bend and weld in a new system. Anyone done that? THanks for any help. Or, maybe I just let it go - the crunched muffler seems to be doing fine.

vanib · 11-07-2012, 12:37 PM

Use the search feature and look for "replace muffler". You will lots of useful posts.
Here are just 2 of them.

Muffler replacement on the wifes 2006 V6 . . .
Aftermarket muffler for 2006 RAV4?

Personally, If there is no noise, no performance issues, I would just leave it.
May be paint it with some high heat paint to prevent rust issues.

I suppose this is not a warranty issue since it is obvious that something external to the RAV hit it, right?

philrav4 · 11-07-2012, 12:41 PM

They are very expensive because it is 1 pc including the cat.

RTexasF · 11-07-2012, 09:03 PM

I wouldn't mess with it either. If it does eventually bother you then a muffler shop is the answer.....cut out old & put in new for maybe $200. As phil said above all the dealer can do is replace the entire item for an arm & a leg.

pico · 11-07-2012, 09:42 PM

I've had many custom exhaust and muffler systems made for my cars, and there's no way that $1,600 is even close to reasonable. You don't need OEM. As our friend from Texas wrote - a muffler shop will do.

(And FWIW, within 1200 miles I bottomed out on the RAV4 muffler pipe.)

Blogson · 11-07-2012, 11:42 PM

I concur with the "if it ain't broke, don't mess with it" school. If it's not leaking or making more noise I would leave it alone. If/when only the muffler needs replacing, then a good shop should be able to replace it for a much more reasonable price.

djb383 · 11-08-2012, 09:23 AM

A pic of the damage would go a long way towards a better diagnosis.

wrczx3 · 11-08-2012, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djb383

A pic of the damage would go a long way towards a better diagnosis.

Do you really need a pic? Just close your eyes and imagine a muffler, only dented. Seriously, if it isn't leaking and the exhaust flow isn't restricted, leave it alone unless it just bothers you.

kevcules · 11-08-2012, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrczx3

Do you really need a pic? Just close your eyes and imagine a muffler, only dented. Seriously, if it isn't leaking and the exhaust flow isn't restricted, leave it alone unless it just bothers you.

lol........I agree....

Leave it alone unless it's leaking.... It shouldn't bother you if you can't see it......

djb383 · 11-08-2012, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrczx3

Do you really need a pic? Just close your eyes and imagine a muffler, only dented. Seriously, if it isn't leaking and the exhaust flow isn't restricted, leave it alone unless it just bothers you.

U r able to tell/diagnose that exhaust flow could not possibly be restricted just by closing your eyes and imagining the damage?????? Your good.

11-07-2012, 11:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
gassrav4 Junior Member Country: Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: AL Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Crunched muffler 2010 RAV4 Last spring my wife hit a pot hole and a piece of asphalt flipped up under the SUV and crunched the front of the muffle. The muffler doesn't seem to leak and the SUV still runs quiet, so I've let it go. Yesterday she had the SUV in for an oil change at the dealer, they said $1,600 to replace the muffler/exhaust system. I told her sounds like BS. I wonder if our local muffler shop can cut it off and bend and weld in a new system. Anyone done that? THanks for any help. Or, maybe I just let it go - the crunched muffler seems to be doing fine.

11-07-2012, 12:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
vanib Advanced Member Country: Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada Posts: 3,019 Thanks: 70 Thanked 172 Times in 159 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Use the search feature and look for "replace muffler". You will lots of useful posts. Here are just 2 of them. Muffler replacement on the wifes 2006 V6 . . . Aftermarket muffler for 2006 RAV4? Personally, If there is no noise, no performance issues, I would just leave it. May be paint it with some high heat paint to prevent rust issues. I suppose this is not a warranty issue since it is obvious that something external to the RAV hit it, right? __________________ 2008 Base Rav4, 4 Cylinder, 4WD My upgrades Allen Spare tire Bike Rack Currently listening to "Crimson Glory - Astronomica"

11-07-2012, 09:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
RTexasF Advanced Member Country: Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rio Grande Valley TX Posts: 5,395 Thanks: 31 Thanked 157 Times in 145 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I wouldn't mess with it either. If it does eventually bother you then a muffler shop is the answer.....cut out old & put in new for maybe $200. As phil said above all the dealer can do is replace the entire item for an arm & a leg. __________________ Old Bird......sometimes wise 2008 Base V-6 front wheel drive 2008 Limited V-6 front wheel drive Both with Tow Prep Package

11-07-2012, 11:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
Blogson Advanced Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Oregon coast Posts: 2,099 Thanks: 14 Thanked 100 Times in 100 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I concur with the "if it ain't broke, don't mess with it" school. If it's not leaking or making more noise I would leave it alone. If/when only the muffler needs replacing, then a good shop should be able to replace it for a much more reasonable price. __________________ Jim 2011 Upgraded Base V6 4WD 2007 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic LT 2002 Craftsman LT1000 V2 Jesus is Lord

11-08-2012, 09:23 AM	#7 (permalink)
djb383 Senior Member Country: Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: The Republic of TEXAS Posts: 298 Thanks: 6 Thanked 14 Times in 14 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	A pic of the damage would go a long way towards a better diagnosis. __________________ '09 RAV4 V6 Ltd - Yep, it's gotta HEMI

11-07-2012, 12:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
philrav4 Senior Member Country: Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 210 Thanks: 6 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	They are very expensive because it is 1 pc including the cat.

11-07-2012, 09:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
pico Senior Member Country: Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Driftless Zone Minnesota Posts: 410 Thanks: 127 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I've had many custom exhaust and muffler systems made for my cars, and there's no way that $1,600 is even close to reasonable. You don't need OEM. As our friend from Texas wrote - a muffler shop will do. (And FWIW, within 1200 miles I bottomed out on the RAV4 muffler pipe.)

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