How to fix a leaking exhaust pipe with wrap on it
Exhaust wrap often masks underlying corrosion or structural damage that temporary fixes like patches or adhesives cannot resolve. Dealing with a compromised pipe typically requires cutting away the damaged section and welding or clamping in a replacement component like a flex pipe to achieve a permanent seal.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1wrapping the leaking area with exhaust wrap
- 2Using an exhaust clamp
- 3Wrapping with an old license plate and metal clamps
- 4Applying commercial exhaust wrap from an auto parts store
- 5Using exhaust wrap with exhaust cement
- 6Wrapping a tin can around the pipe and securing with adjustable hose clamps
- 7Taking the vehicle to a muffler shop for professional welding
- 8Welding a new flange on
- 9Replacing the entire exhaust unit
- 10Using an exhaust flange repair kit to bolt the broken pieces back together
- 11Checking motor mounts for excessive movement
- 12Smoke testing to find the exhaust leak
- 13Inspecting for missing bolts, bent parts, or blown out pipe gaskets
- 14Going to a muffler shop for a weld
- 15Using JB Weld
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“recently the exhaust pipe broke, probably due to corrosion. The muffler is also almost falling off.”source ↗
“my knowledge in mechanics is very limited, so I don’t really have any solutions for now and I also don’t know which materials or parts I need cause I dont really have the money for a whole replacement.”source ↗
“My 2013 outback exhaust pipe connection rusted off. What's the best way/cheapest way to fix this?”source ↗
“Can smell fumes under the car, don’t see any other holes but the flex pipe looks like the suspect to me.”source ↗
“So, this is the exhaust flange on a 2011 Subaru outback 3.6 right before the muffler.”source ↗
“Upon going under I found exhaust wrap around the area, and then I'm trying to figure out if the black crud is just corrosion or... Idk.”source ↗
“I want to just cut it all off and put a new piece of exhaust flex pipe there. Not sure if anyone else has any better advice.”source ↗
“There is a hole in silencer of car. Its 2020 model, not too old. Is there a DIY trick to fix it. Maybe, some adhesive…or should i go to exhaust shop?”source ↗
Where this came up
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