While on a trip to AL and NM I developed a leak.

The flange on the muffler pipe which attaches to the header with bolts and springs was rotted.

The muffler guy said you wouldn't see that much rust on a 30 yr old car in NM. I laughed and said "welcome to Canada".

They cut off the front pipe and rebuilt the flange. Cost me $200 but got me back on the road in 3 hrs and is supposed to be a long term fix

 

What are you asking?

That happens. Salt killzzzz exhausts. I know. They definitely fixed that up for you, you shouldn't have any problems. If they cut it off completely and got rid of all the flakey shish and cut way back behind the hole, you'll definitely be good for another 30 years... as long as you rinse the underneath of your car once in a while! Get that salt off brahhhh!

 

No question. Just a data point.

The only way to avoid rust here is to park in the garage from Oct to May.

You could wwash your car daily and never get it all off

 

Listen Bob Todd, I've been living in Northern Wisconsin for 12 years. If you wash your car once a week, the salt will not have a chance to corrode. If you were to wash it everyday you'd be even better and then you'd know for sure you'd never have a rust issue. We have always taken care of our cars and kept them clean in the winters and have never had rust. Now you should feel bad that you let your car rust because you have no idea what you are doing.

Bottom line about his thread it that yes, it's not a quick fix, those muffler guys fixed you up good and you will not have a problem until something else rusts from something entirely different.

 

I hear you but the horse was already out of the barn. The car is 6 years old and I only bought it 6 months ago.

Frequently washing and oil undercoating help up here but only when they have been done since new.

 

ahhhhhhhhhhhhh I got you. that sucks.