Looks like I've got the dreaded and all too popular "flex pipe" problem. I am taking this to my local Chevy dealer tomorrow morning for service. I need a question answered, preferably before I go. I searched about 100 old threads for my answer before creating this one, so maybe it will add to the subject matter and help some others.

I have a 2007 LT1 2.2L Automatic, 31k miles (I bought it w/ 6k miles on it). I love it.

Anyway, the manager at my local Midas said he was a GM tech for 20+ yrs. After inspecting my system he confirmed a flex pipe crack/leak. He was cool enough to recognize the situation and advised me to go see the dealer because it should be covered under of the federal emissions warranty regs. After reading up on this issue I am expecting that this will be covered, but I want to confirm some details that might come into play.

From reading here, some people have gone on to replace just the flex pipe with aftermarket pieces, and not the whole catalytic assembly. I don't think that's covered under the fed regs. Will the Chevy dealer have that repair option (and try to charge me for it out of warranty) or will they definitely have to use that longer GM parts assembly I've seen, with the cat attached (which I believe qualifies for the 8 yr 80k federal protection)?

I have some other issues and some comments on tires and some other things to help others but this is a pressing issue right now, any help would be appreciated, hrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry!

 

wonder why he went to Midas after 20yrs....

 

Not 100% But...... It should be covered, as it's part of the cat, (or flex and cat is all one piece, which ever way you want to look at it.) Dealer shouldn't patch this together, they should do the full piece and under the warranty.

This probably varies depending on the stealership.

 

Under warranty they have to use "like" parts, so I'd expect them to replace it with a new factory part not something pieced and patched together.

 

I had this problem at the beginning of this year. However, my car had 135K miles at the time, so it wasn't covered under warranty. I went to the local Chevy dealership, and they wanted $600+ to replace the whole assembly, flex pipe and all. So, I went to an exhaust shop and they replaced just the flex pipe for $190. They said it wasn't necessary to replace the whole assembly, and that the dealership was probably just saying that because EPA regulations, liability, etc. But it sounds just as good as it be before, if not better. Boy, a car sure sounds loud when there's a leak/hole in the exhaust. Glad it's fixed now.

 

Thanks for the responses! I'll try to report back as this plays out. This forum rocks!

 

Got her back an hour ago. It was nice turning the key and hearing that quiet purr as opposed to the wanna be-rice burner sound she was making before the repair job. everything was covered under the fed mandated 8 yr 80k emissions warranty. So far so good. Kudos to Lucas Chevy in Woodbridge, N.J. for getting things done in one day.

I did notice some smoke and paintlike smell coming out from the engine compartment after arriving home...I popped the hood and noticed the metal air conditioning tubes had condensation on them which was being blown a bit by the fan onto the hot engine and probably the radiator, which could acccount for the steam/smoke, and I figure sometimes new components have some sort of finish on them that may give off a smell at first...so I'm not sure if there's anything to worry about, yet.

 

Glad you got it sorted.

 

The new pipes have oil residue on them from the manufacturing and bending process, and also a paper label or two, once that all burns off the smell will dissipate. Some moisture on the lines to and from the compressor is normal and nothing to worry about, its been pretty humid on the east coast so I imagine New Jersey is kinda muggy too.

 

yep...