Is a exhaust leak before the catalytic convertor a big problem on a car, and how expensive can be to fix it?

Question

Im thinking of getting a 1996 VW golf, but it has that kind of problem, and I was wondering how much it would be to fix that, and by the way what's a transmission flush?

Answer 1

Exhaust leaks in front of the converter CAN be a problem if they occur just after the manifold. Cool air can be sucked back into the manifold onto hot valves and this will cause the valves to become brittle. When super hot valves contacted by cool air it tends to become brittle, crack, and then burn causing improper valve seating. When this happens you will have loss of compression. And as mentioned by one of the others, exhaust gas can accumulate under the hood and get inside your car. As for the tranny........flushing is the internal cleaning of the transmission. Hope all this helped & good luck !

Answer 2

any exhaust leak is not good because carbon monoxide will get into the passenger compartment and make you sick. the fix depends on the condition (how bad) the exhaust is. if its a small leak, there are do-it-yourself kits at autozone, checker,etc for under $15. if its bad about $300 for replacement not including new catalytic converter. a transmission flush is when they drain the old oil, put new oil in, run it for a little while then drain it again and refill. this gets out alot of crap in the tranny

Answer 3

If leak is a failed sealing joint or corroded exhaust pipe then it is probably not a big deal. Find a local muffler shop and let them check it. Transmission flush is similar to an engine oil change -- torque converter is also drained and fresh fluid and filter/gasket installed.

Answer 4

Precat leak on a 96 may be a problem. I'm willing to bet that thing is dumping fuel.

Transmission flush: Pumping in new transmission fluid under pressure to force out old dirty fluid that may otherwise be left by traditional draining.

Answer 5

!warning! if the trans needs cleaning inside that might become a problem exhaust leaks before the cat indicates back pressure V-Dub used strange exhaust ring and springs so get it checked by a VW knowledgable shop

Answer 6

the exhaust leak is not that big of a deal,,fairly cheap to repair,,as for the transmission flush,,it can vary from $49.95--to 149.95,,it all depends on the shop,,and the amount of time they get in to it,,and the parts involved i doing it,,all shops are different,,in pricing,,so look around if you buy it,,good luck with it,,i hope this helps.

Answer 7

it will not pass a smog test . it made need a new catalytic converter. a transmission flush will run the engine and the fluid run throughout the Tran and clean fluid run in the Tran

Answer 8

reasonable lower back peddle there. ought to no longer replace o2 sensor? Get a advice for a save to get 2nd opinion. must be the subject,yet sounds if there is a few question of their techniques. should not be that annoying to diagnose.