04 Prius 'Front Pipe' Exhaust question

**Tideland Prius** · 01-12-2006, 02:08 PM

I have a 2004 Prius that has been a wonderful vehicle. Unfortunately, when I brought it in for it's 30K mile service, the advisor pointed out that I have a dent and pinprick in the tail pipe assembly. He then proceeded to quote me a price of $1,229.80 for part # 17410-21500 - Pipe Assembly. My question is, does anyone know why this assembly is so expensive? The (seemingly) equivelent 'Front Pipe' on other models is only a fraction of the cost. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

-banesong from ToyotaNation

Jack 06 · 01-12-2006, 02:27 PM

Offhand, that sounds like the answer to the question, "can hybrid technology lead to unexpected, insane specialized repair costs found on no other cars?" How much of a constriction (e.g., 5%? 50%?) does the dent make in the pipe? And cannot the pinhole be covered with anything that will withstand the pressure? (e.g., tiny weld)

Afraid I can't really answer your question, but I'd guess it has to do with the relative IMPORTANCE of the catalytic converter.

I'd take it to an exhaust shop (e.g., Midas) just to see what they say.

SomervillePrius · 01-12-2006, 02:28 PM

I'm not sure but I think that on my Maxima part of the catalytic converter is in the "front pipe" making it a lot more expensive the just a pipe. I had a similar experience on the maxima where I thought it was a simple pipe and it ended up costing me hundreds of dollars.... But I'm sure people with more knowledge will help you out.

galaxee · 01-15-2006, 12:01 AM

the prius isn't built like other cars. the "front pipe" isn't a front pipe, it's an exhaust manifold. the middle piece has twin cat's in it, which is why it's so insanely expensive. sorry to hear about that

galaxee · 01-15-2006, 12:04 AM

and something to add-

check with your insurance company. that may be covered under comprehensive as "road damage" and you'd be set.

but if you were, you know, drunk and drove over a curb or something (i doubt that's the case but i'll mention it anyway) don't tell them that part... they'll tell you to take a hike.

Frank Hudon · 01-15-2006, 12:17 AM

the exhaust system is made out of stainless steel and requires special welding requirements. If it was mine I'd pull it off, take and drill a 1/4' hole opposite the dent, heat the dent till cherry red, pin punch thru the hole and lightly tap the dent out. Then tig weld a patch over that hole and weld the pin hole and get new gaskets as required and put back on. A grand and a quarter puts me in the "figure out a cheaper method mode".

mino54 · 10-09-2009, 09:58 PM

crap; do as FRANK HUDON says;
just hammer the dent out, well the hole, good to go.
$35.00 repair if you remove the pipe yourself, and have any weld shop weld it.
ooopss TIG IT.............. so french.......

JimboPalmer · 10-09-2009, 10:37 PM

This is why they make junk yards, so you can go to one and order a used front pipe.

bedrock8x · 10-09-2009, 11:43 PM

Junk yards are not allowed to sell used catalytic converters by federal law. In this case the front pipe is integrated with the cats.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimboPalmer

This is why they make junk yards, so you can go to one and order a used front pipe.

**Tideland Prius** · 10-10-2009, 10:03 PM

holy thread revival batman!!

hmm.. I don't even know if that user is on ToyotaNation any more.

10-09-2009, 09:58 PM	#7
mino54 junior member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: el cajon Posts: 8 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: 04 Prius 'Front Pipe' Exhaust question crap; do as FRANK HUDON says; just hammer the dent out, well the hole, good to go. $35.00 repair if you remove the pipe yourself, and have any weld shop weld it. ooopss TIG IT.............. so french.......

10-09-2009, 10:37 PM	#8
JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Greenwood MS USA Posts: 765 My Car: 2009 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Thanks: 26 Thanked 150 Times in 121 Posts Friends: 5	Re: 04 Prius 'Front Pipe' Exhaust question This is why they make junk yards, so you can go to one and order a used front pipe.

10-10-2009, 10:03 PM	#10
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 21,192 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 370 Thanked 529 Times in 356 Posts Friends: 26	Re: 04 Prius 'Front Pipe' Exhaust question holy thread revival batman!! hmm.. I don't even know if that user is on ToyotaNation any more.

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01-12-2006, 02:08 PM	#1
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 21,192 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 370 Thanked 529 Times in 356 Posts Friends: 26	I have a 2004 Prius that has been a wonderful vehicle. Unfortunately, when I brought it in for it's 30K mile service, the advisor pointed out that I have a dent and pinprick in the tail pipe assembly. He then proceeded to quote me a price of $1,229.80 for part # 17410-21500 - Pipe Assembly. My question is, does anyone know why this assembly is so expensive? The (seemingly) equivelent 'Front Pipe' on other models is only a fraction of the cost. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks. -banesong from ToyotaNation

01-12-2006, 02:27 PM	#2
Jack 06 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Winters, CA: Prius capital of US. 30 miles W of Sacramento Posts: 2,567 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Offhand, that sounds like the answer to the question, "can hybrid technology lead to unexpected, insane specialized repair costs found on no other cars?" How much of a constriction (e.g., 5%? 50%?) does the dent make in the pipe? And cannot the pinhole be covered with anything that will withstand the pressure? (e.g., tiny weld) Afraid I can't really answer your question, but I'd guess it has to do with the relative IMPORTANCE of the catalytic converter. I'd take it to an exhaust shop (e.g., Midas) just to see what they say.

01-12-2006, 02:28 PM	#3
SomervillePrius Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 945 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	I'm not sure but I think that on my Maxima part of the catalytic converter is in the "front pipe" making it a lot more expensive the just a pipe. I had a similar experience on the maxima where I thought it was a simple pipe and it ended up costing me hundreds of dollars.... But I'm sure people with more knowledge will help you out.

01-15-2006, 12:01 AM	#4
galaxee resident lab rat Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: south of lake Michigan Posts: 9,737 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 130 Times in 53 Posts Friends: 26	the prius isn't built like other cars. the "front pipe" isn't a front pipe, it's an exhaust manifold. the middle piece has twin cat's in it, which is why it's so insanely expensive. sorry to hear about that

01-15-2006, 12:04 AM	#5
galaxee resident lab rat Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: south of lake Michigan Posts: 9,737 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 130 Times in 53 Posts Friends: 26	and something to add- check with your insurance company. that may be covered under comprehensive as "road damage" and you'd be set. but if you were, you know, drunk and drove over a curb or something (i doubt that's the case but i'll mention it anyway) don't tell them that part... they'll tell you to take a hike.

01-15-2006, 12:17 AM	#6
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	the exhaust system is made out of stainless steel and requires special welding requirements. If it was mine I'd pull it off, take and drill a 1/4' hole opposite the dent, heat the dent till cherry red, pin punch thru the hole and lightly tap the dent out. Then tig weld a patch over that hole and weld the pin hole and get new gaskets as required and put back on. A grand and a quarter puts me in the "figure out a cheaper method mode".