Exhaust flexipipe welding cost?

reddwarf2002

Hi folks,

Just trying gauge what it will cost to fix a leak on the exhaust flexi-pipe. The problem on my Mk5 Golf is that the flexipipe is part of the Catalytic converter so to replace this part is very expensive.

I went to Kwik-Fit to see what they would say, after initially saying it would be £130 as the salesperson had already fixed one earlier on, he then had a look under the car. He then said it would be much more expensive as it was part of the Cat (which I was expecting as I already knnew that) and went to check the price. He came back and said it would cost about £330, and to my surprise, he said I would be better off going to a welding place where they could weld just the flexipipe for a lot cheaper. I thought that was very nice of him, and refreshing considering all the bad rep these places get, to point me to a cheaper option.:T

So back to my original question, roughly how much to weld the flexipipe and how to find such a place? Do I just visit any welding place or ones that specialise in cars?

Cheers folks!

mgdavid

I'd be looking for a local small independent exhaust place. There's one local to me who would just charge for the time to do the job. Maybe 20-30 quid plus any gaskets used if they have to remove the item to weld it up all round.

welfayre

You can't generally weld flexi-pipes, the metal mesh is too thin. It is possible to cut out the flexi section and then weld a replacement in.

http://exhaustpartsuk.com/

The above website sell new flexi inserts (both weld on or clamp on one's).

Cost wise I couldn't comment on, it will depend on whether it is possible to do the repair with the exhaust in situ or if it has to be taken off first, if it does need to be taken off it will depend on how easy it comes off (I.e. if the cat joins directly on to the exhaust manifold it'll take longer/cost more than if there's a join between cat/flexi and the manifold).

reddwarf2002

welfayre wrote: »

You can't generally weld flexi-pipes, the metal mesh is too thin. It is possible to cut out the flexi section and then weld a replacement in.

http://exhaustpartsuk.com/

The above website sell new flexi inserts (both weld on or clamp on one's).

Cost wise I couldn't comment on, it will depend on whether it is possible to do the repair with the exhaust in situ or if it has to be taken off first, if it does need to be taken off it will depend on how easy it comes off (I.e. if the cat joins directly on to the exhaust manifold it'll take longer/cost more than if there's a join between cat/flexi and the manifold).

Thanks for the replies.

I should have made it clearer in my first post; was asking about a new flexipipe being welded.