Need your opinion about replacing header pipe on my protege
 

Hi,

My protege failed state inspection and I was told the flex pipe has a hole in it. I assume flex pipe is header pipe, let me know if these are two different things. I wanted to know how difficult is it to replace the flex or header pipe myself ? Please let me know your opinion and remember I am new to repairing cars. Have done some minor stuff like replacing sensors etc but nothing major.

Thanks and Happy new to all of you.
Satish

i never did that but it cant be difficult.. just few screws

ya not to hard except u have to be careful cause those screws can break easily

I hate exhaust work because the metal used is not intended to stay nice and clean and free of rust. Exhaust systems rust like crazy around here.

Get an estimate from a shop. I bet it will be pretty cheap and it'll save you headaches. That's my opinion.

The flex pipe is the pipe that is right after the header pipe, its a mesh pipe thats only about 1 ft long, and as long as the bolts arent rusted/rounded it should be easy to swap out. if the bolts are clean, should take you like 20 mins. otherwise just take it to a muffler place cause it prob means that u have some other issues in ur exhaust system.

Thanks For your suggestions
 

Hello,

Thanks to all of you for taking time to write. I tried very hard to loosen the bolts and I was able to remove two, rest of the bolts are totally stuck to the muffler and I could not remove them no matter what I do. I may take it to a muffler shop and get it fixed.

Thanks again for all the answers and suggestions.

Happy New Year to All of you and may your dreams come true.

Satish

You should never try to remove those kinds of screws and bolts without using WD40 spray or an equivalent. On the harder ones, spray more as you slowly remove the difficult bolt. Once again, shopping around a little can sometimes get an inexpensive price to have it done. If the shop breaks something due to rust(which sometimes can't be helped), they usually have a handy replacement since they're used to it happening a lot in that area of the car. They have the tools and replacements ready. No need to respond and happy new year to you too.

go to a shop and get an impact gun to get the othewr bolts off.

header pipe
 

i replaced my header pipe 2 months ago. its really easy, just 4 bolts. 15 minutes max depending on whether the bolts need heated