Need some help. Quick. Cat/Flex pipe

[proxeyed]

Nothing but problems lately. Thermostat went bad. Soon after, so did the water pump. Talked to the mechanic today, he told me that they noticed a crack in the Flex Joint or Flex Pipe, whatever he called it. I need a new front exhaust tubing along with a cat, to fix the ever present exhaust leak that I have had for a while. The mechanic told me that ordering a new unit from DCX, the part alone is about $700. He encouraged me to research on aftermarket parts, to keep the prices down. I know magnaflow has a cat, and I believe they do have a flex pipe too. Maybe it was Catco. Does anybody know where I can get these parts, for a good price? Almost everything I have found is not California legal.

Thank you.

[CREWZIN]

I had the flex pipe break on me and with encouragement from this forum and keeping my cool with the service rep, I was able to convince him that the flex pipe is part of the CAT which has the 5yr 50,000 mile warranty. You can't buy the flex pipe without the CAT so it's all one part. If it leaks, that's an emissions problem! He had to call for authorization but in the end they replaced the flex pipe and CAT for free, but I had to pay an hours labor...a lot cheaper than the CAT.

[proxeyed]

Oh how I wish I was still covered with the 5 year/50,000 miles. I'm at 93,000 and warranty for me is long gone. It's good to hear your story though, Crewzin. At least Chrysler helped you out big time on that one. Thanks for the input, I figured it was all one piece. In the last week I've spent over $1,000 on an overheating issue. With the thermostat and water pump. BTW, I replaced the water pump in june of 2004. It was replaced with a factory part, which has again failed. This is my 3rd water pump, (second replacement.) Both I and my Mechanic have been fighting with Chrysler over this issue, however they still stick to a one year warranty on their water pump.

Now with this exhaust issue, the problem is going to be close to another $1,000. My clutch will need to be replaced soon too, which I'm sure will end up being another 1,000 or more. I really hate to say it, but right now I'm contemplating a quick fix of an aftermarket flex pipe and cat welded together... just to be able to trade in the PT.

Man, I do not want to give up my first car. I really love this car, but it's just getting too expensive for me. I only work part time because I am a full time college student. I can afford monthly payments on a decent newer car, however lump sums all at once for repairs are killing me. Not to mention only getting 15mpg no matter how conservative I drive. Gas is brutal, of course we all know that already.

Sorry to jack my own thread, but I found this as an opportunity to vent. I really just do not know what to do.[xx(]

[stranger]

BTG makes a Cat for the cruiser, I found it at pt-tuning.com for $339.95. It's what I plan on putting on my GT once I get back from Iraq.

[bobs turbo pt]

i think if you had it welded it would hold for a while i would hate to see you get rid of the car it looks really nice , but i understand when it rains it pours !! good luck!! keep us posted on what you do

[bobs turbo pt]

maybe put an ad under the classfied section looking for the part maybe someone has one ?? just a thought [:I]

[quicksilverdon]

Why not a junkyard (auto salvage)? There are totalled PTs out there, one has to have a solid flex pipe/cat.

[Konkeler]

quote:Originally posted by stranger

BTG makes a Cat for the cruiser, I found it at pt-tuning.com for $339.95. It's what I plan on putting on my GT once I get back from Iraq.

I hope that is for the flex piping and cat, because that amount for a cat alone is insane. Awhile back I bought a "High-Flow" magnaflow cat for another car of mine for $120 at a local speed shop. A few years later I put AV tags on the vehicle and didn't need it anymore so I remmoved it, re-did the exhaust, and then put it on my Jeep (looked fine when I took it off too).

[satellite66]

Having just had some issue with emissions and warranty at Chrysler I found out that major components are covered 8 yrs or 80000 miles and minor stuff is 2 yrs 24000 miles by federal law.

I think CA is different but at 93K I think your out of luck.

Below is the info I got from another site when I posted about emissions and warranty.

For 1995 and newer model year vehicles, emission control and emission related parts are warranted for the first 2 years or 24,000 miles of vehicle use. Specified major emission-control components are warranted for the first 8 years or 80,000 miles of vehicle use.
Parts with a stated replacement interval, such as, "replace at 15,000 miles or 12 months," are warranted up to the first replacement point only.

This is from http://www.epa.gov/obd/warranties.htm#1

Here's more info: Every car sold in the United States comes with a warranty you may not be aware of. It covers a variety of components for five years or 50,000 miles. Newer cars are be covered by an even longer warranty on selected components, such as the computer and catalytic converter. This is the "emissions warranty," designed to ensure that American cars do not pollute as badly as they otherwise would. It places the burden of emission system reliability on the automaker, so they have to find ways to make the car stay "clean" for as long as they can, or pay to fix it. There are actually longer warranties available for many cars depending on the year. Check your manual or the DOT. Check your warranty booklet for details. 1993 models, for example, covered not just the obvious emissions-related items, but also the coil, fuel injection, spark plugs, speed and temperature sensors, throttle body, turbocharger, even secondary ignition wires. (Some of these items are only covered to the first replacement interval - e.g. spark plugs are covered until 30,000 miles or so). Catalytic converters on vehicles built after 1995 are warranted for eight years or 80,000 miles.

If your dealer gives you trouble - some claim ignorance and refuse to believe the booklet that comes with the car! - try calling Chrysler at 800 992 1997. If that fails, or for more information than you get with your car, write to:

Director, Field Operation and Support Division (6406J)
EPA
401 M Street Southwest
Washington, DC 20460

[stranger]

[/quote]
I hope that is for the flex piping and cat, because that amount for a cat alone is insane. Awhile back I bought a "High-Flow" magnaflow cat for another car of mine for $120 at a local speed shop. A few years later I put AV tags on the vehicle and didn't need it anymore so I remmoved it, re-did the exhaust, and then put it on my Jeep (looked fine when I took it off too).
[/quote]

Yes it does, flex pipe high flow cat. Stainless construction