An exhaust leak upstream of the catalytic converter damages the converter and lets carbon monoxide into the cabin. For Mountlake Terrace drivers on the I-5 corridor and 236th commute routes, Tom's B&M Auto inspects the full exhaust system — manifold to tailpipe — and identifies the exact leak location before quoting. A loud exhaust can be a $30 clamp or a $400 mid-pipe; we find out which before charging you.
Full exhaust inspection from cold: manifold gaskets, flex pipe, catalytic converter, resonator, muffler, hangers, and clamps. Manifold gasket leaks are easiest to hear on a cold start — we check both cold and at operating temperature.
Leak source identified and quoted before any work begins. We use aluminized steel or stainless components depending on vehicle and budget. We don't weld band-aid patches over rusted pipe.
Post-repair road test and exhaust leak check. All exhaust repairs include a check of oxygen sensor locations to confirm sensors aren't affected by the repair.
Exhaust manifold gasket leaks are the most commonly missed exhaust repair. The gasket expands when hot and temporarily seals — many drivers only notice a ticking noise on cold starts that goes away after a few minutes. Left alone, the manifold warps from heat cycling and turns a $150 gasket job into a $600+ manifold replacement.
Exhaust leaks upstream of the catalytic converter feed unburned oxygen to the catalyst, causing it to overheat and fail. A P0420 code after an exhaust repair usually means the leak was there long enough to damage the converter. We catch manifold leaks before they get there.
Manifold to tailpipe. Leak source identified before quoting — no guessing.
Cold-start inspection catches manifold leaks before they warp the manifold.
Aluminized or stainless exhaust components. No band-aid patches.
Exhaust repair includes full system visual inspection (manifold to tailpipe), leak source identification, component replacement with aluminized steel or stainless parts, post-repair road test, and oxygen sensor location check.
From Tom's B&M Auto - serving Mountlake Terrace and the greater Seattle metro.
Tom's B&M Auto · 17820 Hwy 99, Suite E, Lynnwood · Serving greater Seattle
Also serving: Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Shoreline, Mukilteo, Kenmore, Alderwood Manor