2002 Volkswagen Cabrio Exhaust system problems

Tiny
FATTHUMB
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIOLET
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 105,000 MILES
I brought the car into a local dealer for maintenance upkeep and had the timing belt replaced, a transmission check and replaced the entire rear exhaust system. They also replaced the Catalytic converter and 2 oxygen sensors. This was all don in March and I have continued to have problems with the car, especially concerning the air intake valve. Now they're trying to get $500 more dollars out of me to fix yet another problem with the exhaust system, claiming there's a leak causing the car to sound awful until it warms up. I brought the car back twice after March only to be told it was a loose heat shield and they had repaired the problem. Frustrated, another mechanic took a look to fiind a leak in the front of the exhaust were the exhaust system connects to the catalytic converter. Is this something that would have normally been replaced with I paid to have the entire exhaust system replaced. He's claiming a leak in my air intake hoses, valve, etc.
Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 AT 2:47 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

Thank you for the donation,

If the exhaust is leaking at this flange joint there will be one of two problems, the gasket is leaking due to loose bolts and the gasket has now failed, or one of the flange faces is warped, this should be all under warranty if the exhaust was replaced, go back and demand that this is investigated and repaired.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 AT 6:36 PM
Tiny
FATTHUMB
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They are stating that this piece was not replaced when the replaced the catalyst and entire exhaust system and are refusing to fix now. Sounds really fishy, especially since the so called problem (rattling sound) was a loose heat shied. They treat me like I'm the problem and I should just keep forking over money. I have taken great care of this car and one trip to the dealership and it begins to fall apart.

How can I have an exhaust leak after they replaced my entire exhaust system? And what is an Evap Canister?
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Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 AT 8:02 PM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
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The simple answer is that you should not have a leak after they replaced the exhaust, end of story, they must make this right, the EVAP canister is a charcoal type filter that is part of the pollution control system.

Function description of EVAP canister system

Depending upon the air pressure and ambient
temperature, fuel vapor will form above the level of fuel in the tank.
The Evaporative Emissions system prevents these HC
emissions escaping to the atmosphere.
In limited quantities, fuel vapors pass through a gravity valve (which closes at an angle of 45 ) located at the highest point in the tank and through a pressure retention valve into the evaporative emissions (EVAP)
canister.

The EVAP canister stores these vapors like a sponge.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 AT 8:36 PM
Tiny
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For all your help. Have a great week.
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Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 AT 9:33 PM

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