Exhaust flex repair at Midas, Did they fix or not fix the problem?

Last month the car was making some noise which I thought it was the muffler. I took it to midas and they told me it was the flex pipe coupler. They repaired it for $130

This month I hear the same noise, however isn’t very loud. I took it back to midas yesterday and they told me that it’s now the arv exhaust pipe. They told me it is rusted out and they could repair it for $288.

I don’t understand why they didn’t see this the first time when they took a look at the car. What was the purpose of putting on the flex coupler if the pipe is rusted out from my first visit.

Is Midas trying to pull a fast one on me.

I told the guy the same thing, however he didn’t say anything, just that he wasn’t working that day.

The technician repaired the problem that you were experiencing at the moment. A month later another pipe rusts through and you have another problem. That’s the way a failing exhaust usually functions. I don’t recommend chain muffler shops so you need to see a good exhaust mechanic to have your exhaust checked out. This will keep you from having exhaust work done again in April. I don’t mean to sound flippant but the first technician that “fixed” your vehicle is probably working for McDonalds right now.

lol, about the McDonald gig, but do you recommend the dealership or just a local garage mechanic.

Local mechanic if possible. A lot of dealerships farm out their exhaust work so you don’t want a middleman when repairing your exhaust. That can get very expensive.

Thanks for the help and quick reply.

I think that the best place for exhaust system work is a locally owned independent muffler and exhaust shop. The one I use is quite reasonable and has the facilities to bend new pipes, etc. I once changed a muffler on my 1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass. I bought the muffler at NAPA and spent a couple of hours breaking off rusted bolts. When this muffler rusted through, I went to the independent shop. The shop did the work in less than 15 minutes and the total price was lower than I paid for the muffler at NAPA. The technician didn’t turn the air blue doing the job as I did when I replaced the muffler.

The foregoing advice is all good. I will just add that sometimes it pays to be a little more proactive and even just use some good old common sense. (Please don’t take offense - it isn’t intended). Don’t assume that any shop’s intent is to take care of your car - they sell parts and services to make money. Hopefully the best way for them to do this is to take good care of your car, but it is often just selling stuff (and this is more likely at chains).

The next time you have some issue like this, ask the tech to show you the problem, look at it with them, ask questions. One good question to ask is whether, in their experience if X has a problem what other problems might be related or soon to follow.

In the case of exhaust systems, especially, as missileman noted, when one thing goes there are probably other things not far behind. On your first visit, 5 minutes discussion with the tech may have saved you another visit.

Thanks for the additional information, ‘common sense ?’, When I took the car in Midas to have it looked at, the manager came to me and said that the problem is the flex coupler. I told him that I had that part fix/repaired three years ago. The manager then added that the car needs front struts on the car and brake fluid. the manger told me whenever a customer come in, they always inspect the entire car for free. He also added many ford vehicles struts and brakes don’t last long. I just listen, 'but I will start asking ? on related problem to things that needs repaired. In the past I’ve went to the dealerships and they would show me the problem area and tell me that I should have additional work done now or hold off until it’s necessary.

Tell them your concern is to eliminate noise, ask if this pipe being rusted is the cause of the noise and make them show you where the pipe has an open place that is causing the noise.

My fear is that the noise is from a very easily fixed problem and they are just saying the noise is from the rusted part. The scam is ,reel you in, do the big work, fix the noise, call themselves hero’s.

Can you better identify an “arv pipe” it does not ring a bell.

Ok, just talked with the guy from Midas, it’s the resonator pipe. A new guy was working yesterday, and told me aironator pipe.

Midas inspects the car for free in order to find anything that they can possibly sell you, whether your car really needs it or not.

I’d follow the advice given by others and find a good independent mechanic.