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Pass NJ inspection with exhasust leak before Muffler?


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blahcomp222
User

Nov 13, 2017, 3:51 AM

Post #1 of 5 (5072 views)
Pass NJ inspection with exhasust leak before Muffler? Sign In

sorry long. In simple, it has a small leak between the Cat and the muffler but is quiet. Will it pass NJ inspection? Thanks.


My truck is falling apart from rust. I have 5 months until inspection. I plan on getting a new truck before then but I want to pass inspection to sell this or drive it if I don't get a new truck by then.

I hit a puddle this summer and the cold water shock on the hot exhaust pipe cracked a weld joint coupling. Luckily the break was after the catalytic converter. Basically it's just that the muffler isn't attached. It was loud. Then I took two 3" metal straps/plates and screwed them into the exhaust pipe with self taping screws to bring the two ends of the break together (I would have just had it welded for maybe $25 while it was already up on the lift for an oil change but the metal is so rusted that I don't think the weld would stick well let alone also hold it all together for long because the break happened in a 'bouncy' area of the pipe. I hope the tiny bit of air that might come through around the screw holes doesn't cause an inspection fail but maybe I can have them weld over those screw heads or I can put a dab of that 'exhaust-fix glue' on it at least to pass inspection and then it'll probably fall off.

Another reason why I screwed those straps on instead of just pulling the
two pipes together and having it re-welded over the old weld joint was because the two cut ends got all jagged from rubbing and they don't slide together anymore. If I have to cut the whole thing out and weld in a new coupling then I'll do that though.

I'm due for an oil change in the next couple days, so while they already have it on the lift, I can maybe get it welded for $25 or something. But do I have to for inspection? I don't even want to throw $25 at this truck because it's a POS and I already threw too much at it.

As it is now after I screwed those two strap plates on, it's a quiet as if nothing ever happened but I don't know if it will throw a code. I'd rather get it welded for $25 then spend ~$10 for that 'exhaust fix glue' that will probably leak or something for inspection.
From what I read, I don't even have to worry about this in NJ but I want to make sure.

I passes my last inspection by the skin on my teeth and it had I think two Pending codes (running lean and something else like EVAP leak), so I have to plug in the code reader and make sure I can still pass how it is. I have to look into those codes also because I'm not sure if they'll pass even if Pending. And now DMV charges extra for a re-inspection if you go back after failing once.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Nov 13, 2017, 5:46 AM

Post #2 of 5 (5061 views)
Re: Pass NJ inspection with exhasust leak before Muffler? Sign In

? Welcome but really what the heck is this truck Make, Model and year would help.


General. Most exhaust is available new OE from the "Cat back" all parts or if already done and OE just that section. Rust is rust you don't win, period. You can take it to a muffler shop and the are equipped to splice in a section may be the way to go. Good grief - I understand not wanting to spend lots of bucks but rusty or not if sound overall someone is going to use it some more make it safe or sell it with "known defects" you do know of such as this and let them decide.
Same here in MA just worse actually - no rust thru anywhere allowed inspections include pictures to prove it! Exhaust leaks or hacks would be inexcusable. Do get this checked as the fix isn't for sure not knowing if patched or what already. Suggest against any putty repairs as they rarely work or just ruin chances of a better fix,


T



blahcomp222
User

Nov 13, 2017, 2:45 PM

Post #3 of 5 (5035 views)
Re: Pass NJ inspection with exhasust leak before Muffler? Sign In

ok so you don't know but thanks anyway.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Nov 13, 2017, 3:06 PM

Post #4 of 5 (5033 views)
Re: Pass NJ inspection with exhasust leak before Muffler? Sign In

Wish you luck but you still didn't say what this is? Most are not the world to replace "cat back" is the request and end the fight with it. If just inspection is the game and that's the only reason HERE if you don't put in writing to a non dealer sale what won't pass on bill of sale the sale can be voided and YOU have to give the money back if it can't pass inspection.
Lag bolting together an exhaust may seem OK but inside that is junk. You could just squeeze pipe near there with channel lock pliers and crush it no doubt.


It's yours you can do what you want just check for local rules that may have changed even two months ago they just did here again,


Tom



blahcomp222
User

Nov 15, 2017, 2:19 PM

Post #5 of 5 (5015 views)
Re: Pass NJ inspection with exhasust leak before Muffler? Sign In

you were right, I shoulda said the car year because that determines how many pending codes I can have, which is sort of besides the point but it's a 2000 non diesel truck which they guy I spoke to said is allowed to have up to 2-3 pending codes.




I called like 7 state inspection garages, places that do state inspection and emissions repairs, and I talked to a different guy at about 4 of them who all said that it should pass with the hole in the exhaust if it's between the cat and muffler. I tried calling the DMV but no one picks up and I don't think they woulda told me anyway.
They said if the check engine light is ON it will fail automatically which I knew but I told them I passed last time like that by erasing the codes (something about Running Lean and EVAP leak codes) with my code reader and then they become pending codes.
It's a 2000 non diesel truck and one guy said I can have up to 2-3 pending codes which I knew. But I need to time the inspection sort of exact because if the system isn't 'Ready' after deleting the codes, then it will fail and then I have to pay a fee to get re-inspected at the DMV (new rule, no free inspection after already failed, and last time I did this with erasing the codes, it wasn't "Ready" but I went back again for free and passed).
so I don't think I will bother with even welding the hole shut. One guy said they don't stick the reader thing on the end of the tail pipe anymore, all they do is plug into the code reader port, but he said what others have said about this situation when I googled which wasn't an exact answer but people were saying as long as it's not alarmingly loud as to draw attention to the inspector to look under the car, then they won't notice or fail it for a small leak in the exhaust (before the cat).






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