Last week I got a new OEM muffler from the dealer.
http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/misc/new_muffler_07.jpg
How much did it cost me? Not one red cent. Not for parts, not for labor.
I originally had this thing installed in 1999 for $500 (yes! OW!), after
several unpleasant experiences with aftermarket mufflers from such places
as Midas.
The 1999 OEM muffler came with a "lifetime" warranty. I used that warranty
four years later, in 2003, and have used it once again in 2007.
In probably the harshest automotive climate in North America
-- salt-ridden northeastern Canada -- my mufflers are regularly lasting
four years.
In this case, the tailpipes were falling off. The muffler and other piping
were fine. No problem for the dealership, which replaced the assembly
without complaint.
The "muffler" is one piece from the join just ahead of, and inboard of, the
rear wheel to the taipipes.
It's funny. I've driven probably 300-400 miles since it was installed, and
the tailpipes aren't even black yet.

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loewent - 22 Jul 2007 04:02 GMT
My 98 civic is still riding with the original exhaust... I'm in Winterpeg...
Just waiting for it to go and will do the same you did, OEM all the way.
>Last week I got a new OEM muffler from the dealer.
>http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/misc/new_muffler_07.jpg
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>It's funny. I've driven probably 300-400 miles since it was installed, and
>the tailpipes aren't even black yet.
jim beam - 22 Jul 2007 04:44 GMT
> Last week I got a new OEM muffler from the dealer.
> http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/misc/new_muffler_07.jpg
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> The 1999 OEM muffler came with a "lifetime" warranty. I used that warranty
> four years later, in 2003, and have used it once again in 2007.
i'm right there with you - that's why i buy oem honda mufflers. $20
extra, but lifetime replacements? don't need to be a math genius to
figure that one out.
> In probably the harshest automotive climate in North America
> -- salt-ridden northeastern Canada -- my mufflers are regularly lasting
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> It's funny. I've driven probably 300-400 miles since it was installed, and
> the tailpipes aren't even black yet.
then you're not lead-booting it enough! it'll blacken up quickly enough
with a bit of full throttle.
Frank Boettcher - 22 Jul 2007 13:13 GMT
>Last week I got a new OEM muffler from the dealer.
>http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/misc/new_muffler_07.jpg
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>It's funny. I've driven probably 300-400 miles since it was installed, and
>the tailpipes aren't even black yet.
Alas, had to finally break down and replace the original muffler on my
'90 accord this summer. Fortunately, the balance of the exhaust
system is still in fine shape.
$79 at midas. Suspect this one will last the remaining life of the
vehicle.
Frank
Hachiroku ハチロク - 22 Jul 2007 17:41 GMT
>>Last week I got a new OEM muffler from the dealer.
>>http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/misc/new_muffler_07.jpg
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
>
> Frank
I wouldn't count on it. Depending on your driving, it may rust within a
year.
Of course, what happened to me may happen to you: had them replace the
exhaust on my car about 15 years ago with a "Lifetime" muffler. 18 months
later, the pipes were rusting out! (Original Toyota exhuast went 10 years!)
I went back to have them replaced and was faced with a bill for $125! Huh?
What happened to the "Lifetime Warranty"?
Oh...the *MUFFLER* has a Lifetime Warranty! The pipes, clamps, etc have NO
WARRANTY! So, while the rest of the exhaust crumbles in 1-2.5 years. the
muffler stays shiny and new for years and years and years!
Hachiroku ハチロク - 22 Jul 2007 17:33 GMT
> Last week I got a new OEM muffler from the dealer.
> http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/misc/new_muffler_07.jpg
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> The 1999 OEM muffler came with a "lifetime" warranty. I used that warranty
> four years later, in 2003, and have used it once again in 2007.
Um, Toyota has been doing this for 15 years...
For $150!!!!! (It may be more now, but I had one done for $150, and
another done 3 years ago on a different car for $165)
My Mom replaced the exhaust on her '86 Camry 8 years ago, but she only
drives 4-7 miles at a time, so the pipe rusts from the inside. She just
had her 2nd free replacement done!!
Grumpy AuContraire - 23 Jul 2007 05:04 GMT
> Last week I got a new OEM muffler from the dealer.
> http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/misc/new_muffler_07.jpg
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> It's funny. I've driven probably 300-400 miles since it was installed, and
> the tailpipes aren't even black yet.
Now for the tough question... How much longer before the car rusts out
from under you?
<G>
JT
loewent - 23 Jul 2007 05:30 GMT
with all that rustproofing goop, he doesn't have to worry about it. That
whats holding it together! :) just kiddin...
I seriously wish I had kept up the rustproofing on my 98 civic, but so far so
good, just a little rust on, you guessed it... the rear wheel wells. They
had these stupid rubber strips in there from the factory that kept all the
road grit and salt sitting right on that ledge all the way around the wheel
well. Why, pray tell, did they do that?!?!?
>> Last week I got a new OEM muffler from the dealer.
>> http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/misc/new_muffler_07.jpg
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
>JT
Dave L - 23 Jul 2007 05:56 GMT
> with all that rustproofing goop, he doesn't have to worry about it. That
> whats holding it together! :) just kiddin...
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> wheel
> well. Why, pray tell, did they do that?!?!?
Those stupid rubber strips were probably dealer installed and not factory
installed.
-Dave
loewent - 23 Jul 2007 19:31 GMT
Well I see them on pretty much all civics and integras of that vintage....
bad bad design!
They even replaced them at the dealership when I had an accident.
>> with all that rustproofing goop, he doesn't have to worry about it. That
>> whats holding it together! :) just kiddin...
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
>-Dave
Dave L - 24 Jul 2007 02:13 GMT
Unless they were more popular then, before people began realizing it helps
water accumulate - creating rust. Had an '89 Prelude Si but used which has
this molding. Saw others that did but most didn't.
Also see most Hondas now do not have them, with the exception of a few and
one particular dealership in particular puts them on ALL of their new Hondas
(also charges the additional dealer markup). Bad dealership anyway.
I suppose they replaced them since it already had them on the other parts of
the car.
-Dave
> Well I see them on pretty much all civics and integras of that vintage....
> bad bad design!
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>>
>>-Dave
Tegger - 26 Jul 2007 01:57 GMT
> with all that rustproofing goop, he doesn't have to worry about it.
> That whats holding it together! :) just kiddin...
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> that kept all the road grit and salt sitting right on that ledge all
> the way around the wheel well. Why, pray tell, did they do that?!?!?
In combination with grease and Rust check, they work marvellously to keep
the wheel well lips totally free of rust.
The Rust Check swells the rubber though, so I've had to replace the strips
twice over the years.

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Tegger - 26 Jul 2007 02:00 GMT
> Now for the tough question... How much longer before the car rusts
> out from under you?
There is no rust. Believe it or not.
I do have several spots on the hood, though. These are stone chips that got
away from me. I gave up on trying to keep up with all the stone chips that
accumulate, and just get the hood repainted every few years. It's getting
painted again next week, actually. $500 to do that.
I suspect I also have some rust under the passenger door window reveal.
That's my next project.

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