As the name implies, the muffler’s job is to muffle out the sounds coming from the exhaust system of your car’s engine so that you can enjoy a smooth and noiseless drive. That’s why you’ll notice your car making a significant amount of noise the moment the muffler starts to malfunction.
Average Muffler Replacement Cost
While the muffler can sometimes be fixed by patching the holes causing the problem, it has to be completely replaced when the damage is too severe. For most cars, muffler replacement cost is typically in the range of $42 for a minor repair to $646, while there’s some variation here and there due to muffler prices and labor costs.
Comparison Chart – How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Muffler?
The chart below features a number of sample muffler replacement costs based on rates by some of the country’s most popular car service centers. Just keep in mind that most of these are muffler repair cost estimate, and might be different from what your local garage will charge you due to the particular car model that you drive.
Muffler Replacement Cost
What’s the Muffler?
The muffler is there to decrease the amount of noise coming from your car’s engine, and as such, it’s designed with a pair of specially tuned tubes that work to echo the sound coming from the engine while canceling out most of it.
The noise coming from the engine is the result of an ebb and flow of air that comes from the opening and closing motion of the engine exhaust valve. The resulting noise reaches the muffler prior to the gasses; hence it ends up getting canceled out.
This is basically the same principle used in noise-canceling headphones because there’s actually a resonance chamber through which the exhaust gas travels in order to reach the muffler inlet. From there, it travels through a perforated tube, which releases it into yet another perforated tube. These tubes basically generate an opposite frequency to that which emanates from the exhaust and thus cancel out the sound prior to the exhaust gases reaching the muffler outlet.
Muffler Repair Benefits
Gas mileage is one of the foremost advantages of getting a new muffler. Also, dirt and grime accumulate on the muffler over time, thus compromising its ability to perform well and this eventually leads to a complete breakdown, which you may not even notice.
This causes a blockage on the entire engine thus compromising its performance considerably, which may also lead to starting issues as a result. Essentially, the muffler is one of the first components that you should check when your car’s fuel efficiency starts to act up.
When Should You Replace the Muffler?
The muffler should be replaced as soon as a hole appears on it because it can lead to numerous problems like:
- Carbon Monoxide (CO) Leaking: When there’s a hole in the muffler, this tasteless and colorless gas can leak into the cabin, thus causing headaches, nausea, and dizziness. Larger quantities of this gas can also result in death.
- The high-pitched sound emanating from your engine can lead to trouble with the authorities as there are some laws that prohibit certain noise levels from cars.
- You won’t enjoy the noise coming from your car’s cabin.
- The overheating will most likely result in engine damage, and the subsequent repair costs will pale in comparison to the cost of replacing the muffler.
How Long Does It Take To Replace a Muffler?
Replacing a muffler should take usually 1-2 working hours if it is performed by an experienced car mechanic.
What’s Done During Muffler Replacement?
First, the mechanic jacks up the car so that he can safely go under it, followed by an oil application on all the clamps and bolts that will be removed. He’ll then wait for a bit while the oil penetrates through to the fixings on the back and front of the muffler.
Next, the clamps and bolts will be loosened to make sure that the coast is clear for removal.
The mechanic will then remove the damaged muffler from the hangers.
Thereafter, some jointing paste will be smeared onto the relevant joints and pipes so that the new muffler will adhere well.
The mechanic must now install the new muffler before tightening the clamps and pipes according to precise torque settings.
After making sure that the new muffler is firmly set in place, the mechanic will start the car in order to check for any further gas leaks or vibrations and to make sure that the new muffler is not tangling anything up while under the car.
Afterward, the mechanic will take the car for a spin to ensure that everything is working as it should.
How to Save Money on Muffler Repair Cost
If you have the right tools for the job, then you can easily replace the muffler on your own. This will save you a lot of money in labor costs associated with the repair, while new muffler costs at your local garage won’t exactly break the bank either.
You can also save money on muffler replacement by getting different quotes from different service providers. You can easily find various garages and dealerships in your area by going on Google and typing in relevant keywords such as “how much does an exhaust system cost installed”, “muffler replacement near me”, “how much is a new muffler” or “best place for exhaust repair”, “muffler replacement coupons”, “Monro muffler coupons”, “Monro muffler coupon”.
Can You Replace a Muffler Yourself?
Shure you can. Before you start with the repair, make sure that the car is on flat ground so that it doesn’t fall on you when you jack it up. Also, the car should be on axle stands while you’re doing the repair and not on a hydraulic jack. Make sure that the ignition keys have been removed and that the car is in park mode. It’s also a good idea to have safety personnel on-site while you do the repair.
The tools required in repairing or replacing a muffler include a pry bar, hacksaw and deep wall sockets in the appropriate sizes. Penetrating oil is also a must, as you’ll need to apply it to the clamps and brackets before you loosen them.
How much does a muffler cost? While muffler prices vary, you can get a muffler for less by purchasing it from your local garage. The rule of thumb here is to purchase the best muffler that you can personally afford instead of trying to cut corners. While some suppliers do sell the muffler with hangers and clamps, that’s not always the case and you might have to purchase them separately. Also make sure to get a good jointing paste while you’re at it, as you’ll need it when reassembling the muffler and the exhaust.
When doing the replacement, you should ensure that the nuts and clamps on both sides are tightened well to avoid noise, gas leaks and other problems that come with loosely screwed muffler components.
A well-fitted muffler will last you for years to come without requiring a replacement, and it will greatly improve engine performance and overall efficiency.
How Much Does a New Muffler Cost?
Below are some muffler replacement sample costs based on some of the most popular car models in the country. Of course, this is only an estimate, and prices may differ from those in your area.
Sample Muffler Replacement Cost By Car Model
You can check some other car service cost eg. how much does oil change cost, or how much is brake pads replacement, or how much is wheel alignment on our website.
In this guide you will find:
1 comment
Wow, I never knew that gas mileage is one of the things that will benefit from a new muffler! That’s great to know because our car has been getting such terrible mileage lately—we haven’t wanted to take it anywhere! I know you said we could replace it on our own, but I feel a bit nervous doing that because neither I nor my husband really know how to do it, and I worry it could be dangerous without the proper tools. We’ll probably have an auto shop do it for us.