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Operating surface temperature of Prius muffler?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by 2009Prius, Aug 22, 2010.

  1. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    After seeing lots of rust spots on the muffler and the pipe before it this spring (see pictures #88 ~ 91 in this post
    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...-visual-inspection-dummies-2.html#post1115382
    for example), I bought some high heat primers and paints. Yesterday I finally had some time to do the painting. The instruction on the can says the paint needs heat to completely cure. So this morning I took a drive around the local roads. 11 miles and ~30 minutes later I came back home and parked the car. I touched the muffler and found it just lukewarm. After breakfast I took the car on the highway at 55 ~ 65 MPH. 17 miles and ~30 minutes later after parking in the garage I found the muffler was warm to touch, not hot at all. Outside air temperature was 70F.

    Thus my question in the title. Does Prius muffler operates at low temperature (no need for high heat paint, regular paint is fine)? Or does it cool down quickly during the ~ 5 minutes travel from the highway exit to home?

    Thanks!
     
    #1 2009Prius, Aug 22, 2010
  2. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

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    Exhaust system temperature is roughly proportional to what percentage of full power your engine is making.

    Stick with the high temperature paint, the exhaust system will get hot on a long hard run, like pulling a long grade at highway speed.

    And yes, mufflers and tail pipes cool down fairly rapidly... unless you are going to be working near them, then they stay hot just to remove some of your skin.:D
     
    #2 xs650, Aug 22, 2010
    1 person likes this.
  3. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    I'm not sure painting the muffler will really help; I think they usually rust from the inside out anyway.
     
    #3 dogfriend, Aug 22, 2010
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  4. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

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    You think right.
     
    #4 xs650, Aug 22, 2010
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