Exhaust Repair for Imports in Athens, GA
A loud exhaust is more than a noise. It can leak fumes into the car and set a check engine light. Athens Import Auto Repair handles exhaust repair for imports in Athens, GA. We fix leaks, rattles, sensors and converters, but we do not replace mufflers. If your car needs a new muffler, we will tell you and point you to a muffler shop.
Exhaust Repair done right, by people who know imports
The exhaust carries burnt gas from the engine to the tailpipe. Along the way it passes through the catalytic converter, which cleans the gas. Flex pipes, gaskets and hangers hold it all together, and any of them can fail.
Do you hear a rumble or a rattle under the car? Smell fumes inside? Call 706-353-3880.
Honda and Acura flex pipes crack and make a loud rumble on startup. Subaru Outback and Forester exhausts rust at the joints, and their heat shields rattle. BMW and Mercedes-Benz set converter codes when an oxygen sensor drifts. VW and Audi turbo cars can crack the downpipe near the turbo. Nissan and Toyota heat shields come loose and buzz. Bring yours to Athens Import Auto Repair in Athens, GA.
Signs of an exhaust problem
- The car is louder than it used to be. It is worst on cold starts.
- You hear a rattle under the car at idle or over bumps.
- A rotten egg smell comes from the tailpipe.
- You smell fumes inside the car.
- The check engine light is on with a converter code.
- You hear a hiss or a puff from under the hood when you rev.
What our exhaust service includes
Exhaust inspection
We lift the car and check each pipe, joint and hanger. Then we run the engine and listen for leaks.
Flex pipe replacement
The flex pipe is a bendy section that lets the engine move. It cracks with age, so we replace it.
Catalytic converter replacement
When the converter clogs or stops working, we replace it. The new one meets the rules for your car.
Oxygen sensor replacement
These sensors read the exhaust so the engine runs right. Bad ones hurt gas mileage, so we replace them.
Heat shields and hangers
Loose heat shields and broken hangers cause most rattles, so we tighten, repair or replace them.
Manifold and gasket leaks
The manifold collects gas from the engine. Cracks and blown gaskets tick and hiss, so we fix them.
How an exhaust visit works
Tell us the sound
Is it loud, rattling, hissing or smelly? Is it cold starts only, or always?
We look it over on the lift
We check the whole system, from the engine to the tailpipe.
You approve the fix
You see the failed part and what it takes to replace it.
We repair and test
We install the part and run the engine. The goal is quiet, tight and no leaks.
Why drivers trust us with exhaust repair
Correct fit parts
Import exhausts are shaped for each car, so we use parts that fit without hacks.
We test before we replace a cat
A converter code does not always mean a bad converter. So we test the sensors and look for leaks first.
Rattles found and fixed
Heat shields and hangers cause most rattles. We track down the real one.
James has been here for 25 years and knows how to fix your issue with your import. Honest and took really good care of my mini cooper.
Carpenter, K., customerExhaust Repair FAQ
Do you do exhaust repair for imports in Athens, GA?
Yes. Athens Import Auto Repair fixes exhausts on imports only. That covers flex pipes, catalytic converters, oxygen sensors and gaskets, plus leaks and rattles. We do not replace mufflers. Call 706-353-3880.
Why does my Honda sound loud when I first start it?
On many Honda and Acura models the flex pipe cracks. The flex pipe is a bendy section that lets the engine rock. Once it cracks, the car sounds like a truck on cold starts. The fix is a new flex pipe.
Do I really need a new catalytic converter?
Not always. A bad sensor or an exhaust leak can set a converter code too. We test both first. If the converter is truly clogged or dead, then we replace it.
What is that rattle under my Subaru at idle?
It is most often a loose heat shield. Heat shields are thin metal covers that keep exhaust heat off the floor. They rust and buzz, so we tighten or replace them.
Why do I smell rotten eggs from my exhaust?
A sulfur smell means the converter is not doing its job. The cause can be a rich fuel mix or a worn converter. We check the fuel trim and the sensors. That tells us which one it is.
Do you replace mufflers?
No. We do not replace mufflers. We do fix exhaust leaks, flex pipes, sensors, converters and rattles. If the muffler itself is rusted through, we will tell you and point you to a muffler shop.
Related services
Exhaust too loud?
Call us or book your visit, and we will get your import quiet and clean again.
Open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. After hours, leave a message or send the form and we will call you back.
Send us a message
Tell us your car and what you notice. We will call you back during shop hours.
If the form does not show, call 706-353-3880.