Exhaust/Tail Pipe

V

vonda walsh

New member
May 3, 2017
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After 8 days at the local shop, they finally called me with an estimate for the exhaust/tail pipe repair. Yes, you guessed it, they want to do a
complete rebuild for $1500. They are stating the mufflers need to be replaced because they are "blown out". They insist it isn't safe to drive that
way. I tried to ask to speak to the person who created the quote but they would only state, "The price is the price, we don't break it down".

Scott (local to me GMCer) said possibly I could look into a 1 muffler system or doing the work myself with Napa parts. I plan to call Ken Frey
tomorrow to see what he has to say and I will also go pick the coach up tomorrow and try to get photos of the mufflers. Of course, I haven't figured
out how to add photos here yet but I will.

Any thoughts on going to a 1 muffler system? Or DIY exhaust? My Dad taught me a lot, but I have minimal experience with exhaust systems so I just want
to make sure it's safe since I'm driving my 8 and 4 year old daughters with me. We can't go very far at the moment because I will need new tires, so
we're just trying to get it safe to be on the road and work out other funky kinks.

Again, thanks to all of you for sharing your knowledge!

: )

'76 Eleganza II
 
I and many others have the single muffler system.

Jim K. has all of the parts pre-bent and can be installed with band clamps and common hand tools. He also has the two muffler system. I have no idea
of the price but I watched his guys do a GMC with those parts on the lift in under 1 hour.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
> After 8 days at the local shop, they finally called me with an estimate for the exhaust/tail pipe repair. Yes, you guessed it, they want to do a
> complete rebuild for $1500. They are stating the mufflers need to be replaced because they are "blown out". They insist it isn't safe to drive that
> way. I tried to ask to speak to the person who created the quote but they would only state, "The price is the price, we don't break it down". ...

That's how a crooked shop does business. You need to find a reputable one. An honest shop can produce a detailed list of parts and expendables and
estimated labor. I say again, take it to a different shop. The work might actually need to be done, and it might be the same cost estimate, but the
quote needs to be made by a professional. The place that gave you that quote is not.
--
73 23' Sequoia 4 Sale
73 23' CanyonLands Parts Unit 4 Sale
Upper Alabama
"Every day I become more convinced that I am the only person left on the planet that recognizes nonsense for what it is."
 
Of course I'm originally from CA, close to where Applied is, but currently 3,000 miles away.

Do you all want to bet I find a way to pack one of their mufflers into my luggage to save on shipping while back home for a family wedding in July? Ha
ha ha.

I'm kidding, I just know shipping from applied, especially for exhaust is going to be expensive.
 
Vonda,

I would have a hard time trusting those guys at the muffler shop. "The price is the price." 8 days to figure that out?

It's $1225 from Jim K for a mandrel bent system, 3" if I recall correctly for the rear. Stainless steel piping, I think 8 year guarantee. A little
less for non stainless front mufflers. Better to support Jim rather than those fellows, I think.

So far as driving on blown out mufflers, I would start it up and get out of there. It isn't likely you have any danger from this. Lots of folks are
driving on blown out mufflers. I don't think there are any gravestones with "He drove with blown out mufflers." They won't want you to leave,
because they want your money. Another thing. $1500 even? Not $1439.85?

Just what I think, not a professional, could be wrong.

Carey
--
Carey from Ennis, Texas
78 Royale, 500 Cadillac, Rance Baxter EFI.
 
you need a new mechanic. It is frustrating finding a fair mechanic dor these rigs, but they are out there. These coaches are pretty tough for a
normal shop to make any money on, so it will take just the right place.

The question on these coaches is how far do you go. If they are replacing manifolds/headers(where exhaust bolts to engine). And wverything back,
then the cost can skyrocket. They have to be careful, because if they dont replace it all, they maybe dealing with you when the next part down the
wire goes bad.

Real Basic replacement mufflers are $26 from summet: https://m.summitracing.com/parts/wlk-18425

Sometimes the old ones can be carefully dissected out and new ones installed quickly. Other times they fight, and your manifolds start leaking or
you fine the reat of the exhaust is rotted.
If you are dealing with headers or manifold leaks, things can get complicated.

For you, i would stick
To simple and juat install the stock 2 mufflers.

Look for an exhaust shop that has a larger lift and only does exhaust work. They might not have much of a sign on the building.

--
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
 
Agree with Jon, Remove the old mufflers, put in the new ones and keep the 2 muffler system for the time being. Take the money saved at the exhaust
shop and spend that on better quality tires.
--
77 Royale, Rear Dry Bath. 403, 3.55 Final Drive, Lenzi goodies, Patterson carb and dizzy.
Mid Michigan
 
Watch out for the "We can't let you leave, it's unsafe" ploy. A brake shop tried this on a friend's daughter after quoted a ridiculous price. She
went down to the copshop and made a warrant for auto theft. Problem cleared up immediately.

My coach has a single muffler with two inputs which seems to work well. Wish you were closer, I'd point you at Metero Muffler and Brakes, which does
my exhaust work. They know how to bend pipe and weld up custom systems for a reasonable price. Find an independant shop.

--johnny
--
76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
 
Sir, I am fortunate to have a good muffler shop in Knoxville, Tn and highly recommend them. Go east 1/4 mile on Western av at Exit #1 on 640 bypass.
My first GMC experience was 10 years ago when they replaced my complete system with 2 1/2" alumized they bend pipes and 2 turbo free flowing mufflers
with lifetime warranty. $350. My latest was last week on our new 26' Eleganza ll. I had bought a wrecked 23' Birchaven with 3" mandrel bend
stainless system with 2 flow master mufflers. I took the system with me and asked them to install it. Took about 5 hours as they redid the muffler
connections at head pipes to get mufflers to tuck up and straighten up for max ground clearance. They also had to add 3' of straight pipe and re did
the outlet connector to tuck it up under body and clear the frame and bumper. They did top notch work and charged me $150. I don't know if the 3"
mandrel bent exhaust helped performance but it sure looks good. The Flow Masters are quieter than the Turbos on our 23' Crestmont but hopefully I can
handle the quiet. I do like the Turbos bellowing in the sweet spot.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/member-galleries/p63112-mighty-muffler.html

> After 8 days at the local shop, they finally called me with an estimate for the exhaust/tail pipe repair. Yes, you guessed it, they want to do a
> complete rebuild for $1500. They are stating the mufflers need to be replaced because they are "blown out". They insist it isn't safe to drive that
> way. I tried to ask to speak to the person who created the quote but they would only state, "The price is the price, we don't break it down".
>
> Scott (local to me GMCer) said possibly I could look into a 1 muffler system or doing the work myself with Napa parts. I plan to call Ken Frey
> tomorrow to see what he has to say and I will also go pick the coach up tomorrow and try to get photos of the mufflers. Of course, I haven't figured
> out how to add photos here yet but I will.
>
> Any thoughts on going to a 1 muffler system? Or DIY exhaust? My Dad taught me a lot, but I have minimal experience with exhaust systems so I just
> want to make sure it's safe since I'm driving my 8 and 4 year old daughters with me. We can't go very far at the moment because I will need new
> tires, so we're just trying to get it safe to be on the road and work out other funky kinks.
>
> Again, thanks to all of you for sharing your knowledge!
>
> : )
>
> '76 Eleganza II

--
C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
 
Oops sorry Mam. Didn't put 2 & 2 together till I saw your Facebook post. Mighty Muffler works on drop Ins first come basis and by appointment.

> Sir, I am fortunate to have a good muffler shop in Knoxville, Tn and highly recommend them. Go east 1/4 mile on Western av at Exit #1 on 640
> bypass. My first GMC experience was 10 years ago when they replaced my complete system with 2 1/2" alumized they bend pipes and 2 turbo free
> flowing mufflers with lifetime warranty. $350. My latest was last week on our new 26' Eleganza ll. I had bought a wrecked 23' Birchaven with 3"
> mandrel bend stainless system with 2 flow master mufflers. I took the system with me and asked them to install it. Took about 5 hours as they
> redid the muffler connections at head pipes to get mufflers to tuck up and straighten up for max ground clearance. They also had to add 3' of
> straight pipe and re did the outlet connector to tuck it up under body and clear the frame and bumper. They did top notch work and charged me $150.
> I don't know if the 3" mandrel bent exhaust helped performance but it sure looks good. The Flow Masters are quieter than the Turbos on our 23'
> Crestmont but hopefully I can handle the quiet. I do like the Turbos bellowing in the sweet spot.
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/member-galleries/p63112-mighty-muffler.html
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

> > After 8 days at the local shop, they finally called me with an estimate for the exhaust/tail pipe repair. Yes, you guessed it, they want to do
> > a complete rebuild for $1500. They are stating the mufflers need to be replaced because they are "blown out". They insist it isn't safe to drive
> > that way. I tried to ask to speak to the person who created the quote but they would only state, "The price is the price, we don't break it down".
> >
> >
> > Scott (local to me GMCer) said possibly I could look into a 1 muffler system or doing the work myself with Napa parts. I plan to call Ken Frey
> > tomorrow to see what he has to say and I will also go pick the coach up tomorrow and try to get photos of the mufflers. Of course, I haven't
> > figured out how to add photos here yet but I will.
> >
> > Any thoughts on going to a 1 muffler system? Or DIY exhaust? My Dad taught me a lot, but I have minimal experience with exhaust systems so I
> > just want to make sure it's safe since I'm driving my 8 and 4 year old daughters with me. We can't go very far at the moment because I will need
> > new tires, so we're just trying to get it safe to be on the road and work out other funky kinks.
> >
> > Again, thanks to all of you for sharing your knowledge!
> >
> > : )
> >
> > '76 Eleganza II

--
C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
 
Chuck's recommended muffler shop completely replaced my Avion exhaust system, from donuts to tail pipe, for $425. In and
out in four hours. They actually moved a vehicle from the heavy lift to accommodate us. Highly recommended as honest and competent.
Tom, MS II
--
1975 GMC Avion
KA4CSG
 
I am definitely going today to get the coach. I need a second driver, so I'm trying to find someone now. I certainly won't be going back to the shop
because well, it's clear they aren't very professional. I have a call in at another muffler/exhaust shop already and will continue to call until I
find the right person, or I will just order the mufflers from applied and use the 3" stainless pipe I already have.

We are in NWNJ, so the shop recommended is too far away. We are close to Ken Frey and I will be calling him as well, but he is just over an hour away,
so I'm not sure I should be driving that far with a possible faulty exhaust and tires I can't officially date. I know the tires are at least 4-5 years
old and they were garaged with the coach only being driven up and down the PO's driveway (he was a diesel mechanic), so I am trying to keep the coach
local until all of the quirks are worked out.

I might just do the chinese fire drill idea to get the coach home. Park at businesses along the way, run back to one vehicle, then switch, ha ha ha.

'76 Eleganza II
 
Vonda, please add a name to your signature. Most the folks here prefer to speak to a person and don't do FB.

I agree with others, get the coach the hell out of there now and hope they haven't done anything to disable the coach like remove the exhaust 'so they
could inspect it', planning on charging you a fee to put it back together. If they have, gather up the parts, open the windows, and drive it away
with just the headers on. You'll go deaf but you can drive it to another shop. Hopefully they haven't done anything like that. Regardless, a BBB
complaint is in order. Its sad but a reality of life that some shops will prey on women customers. My daughter in law drove a hot black car for 5
years without AC because the Nissan dealer told her it needed a total replacement for 1500 bucks. When she met my son, I put a can of freon in the
system and it was still blowing ice cold air 5 years later when she sold it.

Mufflers can be obtained at local parts houses. If you REALLY need new exhaust pipes, any shop should be able to build them or you can order the kit
from Applied. $900 and up plus shipping drop shipped. It ain't rocket science and any muffler shop should be able to build it in a couple hours.
There are only a few bends and two of those are straight 90 degree bends. Most of the rest is straight tube. And that is if it is bad. Many of our
coaches still have the original pipes. Motorhomes are typically driven a while after starting and that dries out the moisture that rots mufflers.
--
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama

77 Eleganza II, 403CI, Manny Brakes, 1 ton, tranny, lots of aluminum goodies.

http://www.bdub.net/pinkerton/

'03 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
 
I drove mine over 500 miles (with ear plugs) from Minneapolis to NW Indiana with a hole in one muffler the size of a softball. Once I got it home I
removed both mufflers and replaced them with straight pipes. I then removed the tailpipe, cut it, and removed a section the length of a new muffler.
I installed a new single muffler in the rear.

You can drive it with the windows open. Lots of vehicle are going down the road with exhaust leaks. Just do not park it with the engine running and
have plenty of fresh air coming in the windows.

4 or 5 year old tires are no problem. Michelin says you can go 10 years if you inspect them for cracking annually. I just replaced some 30 year old
tires on one of my motorcycles. My Colorado has 12 year old tires on it. It is about time that I replace them. Maybe I'll do it before winter.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
I'm sorry about the signature. I did update it but it didn't go through. I thought it appeared in the first post but now it's not there again.

I did go down and finally got the owner to talk to me. I got the keys, but couldn't drive it home because I've been trying to find a second driver to
go with me all day. I was hoping to go at least tonight but the air bags are deflated because it's been sitting for 9 days and my air compressor
system doesn't fill them properly. I explained to the shop owner we told his mechanic when we dropped it off that the air bags could be re-inflated
using the schrader valves, but the mechanic didn't tell him that. I am not impressed with their communication at the shop at all.

He proceeds to tell me if I had the 3" pipe, I should have brought it with me and that he had already told me that. He never spoke to me other than
telling me "we'll get to it" the second time I called last week. All the way around, I agree, they assume I don't know enough about mechanics to know
the bid is crazy high. After finally getting him to respond about the cost of just a tail pipe, he quoted me $800. (Um, no thanks). I had already
decided before that I wasn't going to use that shop because he kept going back and forth with me and couldn't give me a quote in writing.

On a positive note, I did speak to the only other muffler shop in our county. Before he even called me back, he had looked up the GMC and familiarized
himself with it. He said tail pipe only would be between $200-$300. He said I can bring it by Thurs or Friday and he will take a look at it. In the
meantime, he said I could e-mail him photos and examples of the exhaust system and he will look it over between now and then. He was open to using the
3" pipe if he can. Now I just need to gather all of the information between the forum and the FB group as Jim K from Applied hopped on the
conversation and offered to help me remotely.

: ) Vonda
'76 Eleganza II
 
I forgot to add, the original shop stated the $1500 went up to the manifolds, it wasn't replacing manifolds. It only included from the manifolds to
the tail pipe. They insist they have to remove the bumper to do the work despite my showing him the manual which clearly shows the bumper doesn't need
to be removed to replace the exhaust. :roll:

: ) Vonda
'76 Eleganza II
 
Vonda,

You get a free great experience out of this. When you leave the muffler shop that has your Eleganza, you will be happy, happy. What people want to
know about in the signature line besides your year and model is your location. You can be circumspect like Chuck Boyd (East Tennessee), and put NNJ.
That would alert people to suggestions and keep them like Chuck from telling you about a muffler shop well out of your way. However, Chuck's
information he posted is great for many of the rest of us, and actually would be worth a special trip to get those prices and workmanship.

Best of luck. I would just drive the thing home, making sure the tires were all inflated, including spare. Empty coach, 65 pounds would be all
right. Just get some truck mechanic to fill them as there is a very very small risk of sudden failure while inflating. I keep my head back behind
the fender well when filling.

I like the idea of speaking with Ken Frey. The two cheap muffler solution is really good, too. Best of luck. Nice to hear about the muffler shop
boss backing and filling, as we say down south.

Carey
--
Carey from Ennis, Texas
78 Royale, 500 Cadillac, Rance Baxter EFI.
 
It has been quite the journey with this coach already. I am tired but not defeated. The appointment at the next shop was today and he had quoted me
$200-300 for the tailpipe only which was 1/4 the cost of what the previous shop quoted me, so I scheduled an appointment to do the full exhaust if
needed. Somewhere along the way, there was a miscommunication.

Between leaving the last shop and getting to the current shop, the coach overheated due to a blown fuse, thankfully right in my driveway. $45 worth of
coolant later, a new little box of fuses (PO installed an electric fan system) and some elbow grease, I got the coach running again (with some
reassurance from fellow GMCer Scott W.).

Long story short, the coach died as they were sending us back home to do the work next week. Battery died and turns out it's the alternator. The
alternator is bran new, 140 amp. I'm trying to get in touch with the PO to see if he has a receipt for the alternator to see if it's under warranty.
Ended up leaving the coach so they could charge the battery and start the work on the exhaust next week.

A little disappointed they didn't look at the information they requested I send between when I made the appointment and when we arrived, but I could
tell the guy does beautiful work. He said he could use the 3" stainless pipe I have to help save on cost and go with the back muffler system. I showed
him the parts from Applied but he said he can make them for less instead of ordering them and shipping them from CA to NJ.

He did say I should just sell it and get a nice, newer RV for 10-15K. Um..... well if I had that much I would have bought a ready to drive GMC, ha ha
ha. I ignored his comment and explained the GMC was purchased to honor my late father and the girls and I walked quite a ways to a local diner and
waited to find a friend to get us home.

WHEW> ya'll weren't joking when you said these coaches break down a lot. I'm 3 for 4 and the max I've been able to drive it was 19 miles.

My signature still doesn't post even thought I have it set to on. I thought with my info posted at the top of the post it would be okay. Too tired to
figure out how to get the siggy to work tonight but I will work on it soon.

Vonda
'76 Eleganza II
NWNJ
 
> ...the coach overheated due to a blown fuse, thankfully right in my driveway. $45 worth of coolant later, a new little box of fuses (PO installed
> an electric fan system) and some elbow grease, I got the coach running again (with some reassurance from fellow GMCer Scott W.). ...

You are going to want to replace that electric fan with an OEM clutch/fan as soon as you can.

The number of people that have electric fans that work for them can be counted on one hand, even if you are missing a couple of fingers.

It takes mucho electric fan to move enough air to cool a 6 ton vehicle. It is not a passenger car. When you get enough electric fan to cool the thing,
the alternator is more than tapped out and you have to upgrade it, add another belt to it, yada yada yada.

It doesn't sap any more engine power to use the OEM fan setup.

http://www.appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/583
http://www.appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/1622

Don't be discouraged. I have changed out all 6 tires 4 times for 100 miles of travel (another story). Stuff happens more often until you get over the
initial "fix what went bad while it was abandoned, or what the PO neglected or did wrong" hump.
--
73 23' Sequoia 4 Sale
73 23' CanyonLands Parts Unit 4 Sale
Upper Alabama
"Every day I become more convinced that I am the only person left on the planet that recognizes nonsense for what it is."
 
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