Cadillac Repair: 1991 CADILLAC DEVILLE, lifetime warrenty, cadillac deville

Question
Hi I have a 1991 Cadillac Deville that is not passing inspection because it has a hole in the muffler!  I was just wondering what you think I should do about this and how much money would be involved.  Some people tell me to just patch the hole and some say to replace the whole muffler.  

Thank you very much,
DeAnna Davis

Answer
Hi DeAnna, If the hole is in the main body of the muffler putting a patch on it is only temperary and might not last too long past the inspection depending on the size. If its on the end then I'm not sure a patch would even hold. If the front pipe is still good you should be able to to cut off the pipe just in front of the muffler and then replace the muffler and tailpipe only. The muffler has a small 1/8" hole on the end that allows water to drain and that hole shouldn't keep you from passing the test. Prices vary depending on whether you get a cheap or a lifetime warrenty muffler but I would expect you to pay between $100 to $150 parts and labor. Otherwise if you needed the front pipe also then you might be in the $250 range. Bill