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Safe to weld exhaust leak?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Johnspu, Sep 27, 2016.

  1. Johnspu

    Johnspu Junior Member

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    I ran over a muffler on the highway and ended up with a 1" hole in my catalytic converter. I'm pretty sure it can be repaired but will the battery or electronics be damaged by any welding done at a muffler shop? Toyota dealer won't fix, only replace. Thanks!
     
    #1 Johnspu, Sep 27, 2016
  2. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    The welding will be no factor for the electronics or the battery.

    Depending on how much the muffler shop charges to repair the hole, it might be cheaper to source a used cat and have it installed, since you live in the Arctic. I'm thinking that the welded patch will start to corrode fairly quickly and you'll be fixing it again.

    If you're going to be keeping the car for only a few more years, then the patch will be OK.

    Good Luck!
     
    #2 ETC(SS), Sep 27, 2016
  3. Johnspu

    Johnspu Junior Member

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    Thanks! I'll go with the $50 weld fix. Love the Prius but hate worrying about expensive component repairs.
     
    #3 Johnspu, Sep 28, 2016
  4. qdllc

    qdllc Senior Member

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    Another vote for weld. If you have to fix the cat eventually, might as well put it off with a patch until then. If your cat was failing, or showing signs of failure, you'd go for the replacement unless you're strapped for cash.
     
    #4 qdllc, Sep 28, 2016
  5. Johnspu

    Johnspu Junior Member

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    Muffler shop says its the exhaust coolant recirculator(?), they're patching it up for $135. The hanger is all bent out of shape also.
     
    #5 Johnspu, Sep 28, 2016
  6. Tande

    Tande Active Member

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    Just wondering ......is the cat. made of stainless steel? .......
     
    #6 Tande, Sep 30, 2016
  7. StarCaller

    StarCaller Senior Member

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    toyota uses stainless steel for the muffler, so I would assume the case of the catalytic converter is stainless steel, too/
     
    #7 StarCaller, Sep 30, 2016
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