First off I wanna say, I'm sad I didn't know about Priuschat sooner. I got my first prius (though be it used) about 3 months ago and I love it, it's the best car I've ever owned. I come to you fine people with a problem, I was driving home today and my prius become suddenly very loud as if the muffler had come off. I stopped the car hoping it was something simple I could see, but I couldn't see a thing. Until i got home set up some boards and drove up onto them- I took this photo (without climbing under bc the thing is up on some boards). I've little to no knowledge of cars- but I can follow directions very well. Can anyone identify the part by name and or part number? Anyone know a ballpark of what the replacement will cost? Is there any short cut i can take such as a liquid weld product or having the part professionally welded back into place? Where should I be posting this?
Well, you've come to the right place for all things Prius related. Looks like you need some parts, or at least someone who's a dab-hand with a welding torch (or both). I feel sure someone will chime in with some recommendations for sources for parts, or with the name of a tame Prius mechanic local to you (where are you? BTW - it might be helpful if you were to post your location) - in the mean time, good luck, and welcome to PriusChat! - Wil
Texaslorraine here....I needed to replace my cat converter and O2 sensors...went to Auto Zone and they had a Walker converter, reasonably priced and a schematic of the under side of my Prius 2003, with the exhaust replacement parts available for less than $150. My muffler guy (small town) cut off the old and replaced the Cat conv and sensors for 100 bucks. This is verses the dealership (large town) wanting $1900. My gas mileage is still not it was when I bought her 11 yrs ago but still decent at 37 - 40 mpg. this depends on my driving fast or normal or AC on. Ethanol killed my gas mileage years ago. Anyway the alarm lights on the dash are gone. halleluya! Thank you Prius Chat and Youtube, and a mechanic book set a friend gave me. Good Luck.
The car is in great shape other than a few small issues. The front drivers side bearing needs changed. Any way- I took the car to a few guys, one was very willing to help for a reasonable price. He did a weld job on it then coated it in some liquid weld to protect the welding from the rust. It's been almost two weeks and it's still holding up with no issues and it's not triggering any check engine lights. While I doubt such a patch job would fly in some states it's going to do just fine in Southern IL were some people drive around without exhaust at all.
