Exhaust pipe break question on purchasing used car

WALVERSON

MEMBER
2014 FORD FOCUS
2.0L
2WD
MANUAL
48,000 MILES

I am considering purchasing the car listed above (SE model) in Houston. I live in Austin. I had it inspected and there is one problem. The tail is separated from the exhaust system. Photo attached. I can get it fixed by an Austin muffler shop for $50.00, but I wanted to know if it is safe to drive it from Houston to Austin in this condition? I test drove it and other than the increase noise there was no performance degradation. I am also considering using high grade thermal exhaust tape for a temporary fix for just the dive back. Am I way off base thinking this would be okay?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

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1 Reply

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,018 POSTS

That is a common issue, the pipes weld broke off from the secondary converter outlet. Just not usually an issue on a four year old car unless someone ground the weld off. The clamp that is on there was a band aid that has come off. The easy repair which would last would be to remove the clamp. Clean up both pieces, slip it back together and weld it back in place. It looks like the pipe is okay under the clamp. If the end of the pipe is bad then a short coupler could be added in and welded. Those cars came with a stainless exhaust but some folks want them loud so they cut off the factory pipes thinking loud equals power increase, when 99% of the time they actually lose power on a modern engine.

If the fifty dollar repair welds the pipes together that is not a bad price and should hold for a couple years.