RAV4 exhaust MOT failure

[RobbyC]

Hello all. Appreciate any guidance from those more knowledgeable than me (which will be everyone!) on costs associated with repairing an exhaust section on a 2006 5 door RAV4. It's just failed its MOT as there is a "major leak of exhaust gases in the centre section". The garage (ATS) has advised they will try and fit a cover over this, but cannot guarantee that it will work, and will charge approx £200 for this. They said if this fails the whole exhaust unit will need replacing at about £1000. Firstly this seems incredibly expensive, and secondly I wasn't sure if this was right about having to replace the whole unit. Looking on parts sites it looks as though they sell the constituent parts and this would be considerably less than £1000. The garage are suggesting  though that all parts including the cat would need to be installed. Does anybody have any experience of this and know what the costs should be, and whether they are right in that all of it would need replacing? Any help is much appreciated.

[Mark O]

The obvious answer is take it somewhere else to fix. You may be lucky and get away with a welded patch or a sleeve. Neither should cost 200 notes. One hour's work tops.

Your local trusty independent garage should be able to handle it quite easily.

1000 does seem steep. If the above fails, find out EXACTLY what needs replacing - I would doubt if the whole thing needs replacing - and shop around.

[TomdeGuerre]

Maybe they're just cutting themselves a bit of slack with a ballpark figure of £1,000. You might run into having to replace the CAT as well as any sensors involved - if they're Toyota parts they can be expensive. Much better to quote high and maybe have final price lower than vice versa. 

[RobbyC]

Thanks for the responses, appreciate your feedback.

[catmeatchunks]

Hi yes sounds like a main dealership. Yes very dear. I've been looking at aftermarket stainless steel one that will almost last forever and don't even cost that much. Keep us posted on how u get on.

 

[TomdeGuerre]

You have to be careful with aftermarket systems. Devon Aygo posted “Early 2.0 4.2 Ravs had potential software fault where the ECU can misinterpret the O2 sensor readings this can cause damage to the catalyst through misfuelling as well as a potential issue with the catalyst itself where it can fail prematurely as a chemical coating inside the cat can peel away . The official fix was an ECU software update and a modified catalyst assy”.

Not saying this applies to the OP’s vehicle but sometimes if you use cheap aftermarket parts  you might wind up with warning lights and trouble.

http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/170326-rav-4-cat/#comment-1400412

[Mark O]

Tom et al

The poster mentioned it was the centre section that was leaking. If this means a section of pipe rather than a box of some sort, then this may be rectified by a welded patch or a sleeve over the leak. If the leak is more serious, and the pipe section requires replacement, then one could consider cutting out the damaged section, replace it with a pup piece and weld it up or sleeve it at both ends. This would not affect anything.  

[TomdeGuerre]

Thanks but I don't need a lecture about welding up exhaust systems. Worked too long in the trade, suffered too many ttight wads wanting their rotten systems patched up as well as punctures repaired on their threadbare tyres. Even had a guy come in with his wiper motor not working and brought in a scrap motor with stripped gears, wanted us to strip down the scrap motor and get the brushes out of it to see if they would fit his motor.  

[Mark O]

You should try it. It can save many an exhaust system for another few years - particularly if it is just a piece of pipe. The original poster is not in the trade, and as such does not think of the most expensive option first.