Hi, I have got a 1996 Volvo 460,
It runs quite allright but since I live in sweden, the ever raining country, i have had some problems with rusting parts.
So far this year I have spent about 800€ on repairs and my (poor) economy cannot keep on with this spending. I have changed the "exhaust collector" which was about 200€ just for the parts, the belt , the water pump and some other smaller parts. These repairs, I reckon, would be a bit too complicated for me. But now I have gotten more exhaust troubles and my wallet is empty, what to do?
I miss my Volkswagen Golf from 89 which I had from 2002 to 2006 and never had to take to a mechanic...I didn't even change the oil :) and it still works.

Back to my Volvo: The silencer, the one that is just after the katalysator, is broken somewhere and it is making noises. It is quite rusty so assume it has one or several holes in it. I found a place where they sell walker silencers for my volvo for just 40€.

Now my question: HOW DO YOU CHANGE THE SILENCER?

I mean, there is a do-it-yourself place next to my house where you can lift the car for 10€ an hour. Could I change this piece myself? Are the pieces in the exhaust system welded? Can I just unplug the old silencer and plug the new one easily? I am not specially gifted when it comes to mechanics...is this an easy piece of mechanics?

I just don't want to pay 140€ in two hours of a professional mechanic for something I can do myself!
What should I have to change the silencer ( "mellan-rör" or middle-pipe in swedish)?
What product can I use to fill small rust holes from other parts of the exhaust?

Not 100% sure as I havnt changed one myself (just patched up the odd leak), but it seems pretty simple, just a few bolts and clamps - your problems will be components rusted together / fused together with assembly paste.
It wouldbe worth having a look anyway, maybe there are just a few holes that can be patched with repair paste or bandage (the exhaust versions) I have found with my 440 if the problem is at or near the back box, I have to apply a bit of heat to get the paste to set properly otherwise it just cracks.
as far as I know there are only a couple of joints between the middle box and the rear box, but it might be as well if you are replacing the pipes to take a hacksaw with you as they are easier to cut off than dissassemble if the joints are good.
best of luck
grendel

Hello again everyone

I also have an exhaust question. I have a small leak - well, lots of tiny leaks - at the front seam of the mid silencer (where the pipe joins the slimline box). The question is... is it easier to buy and apply some exhaust repair compound or just bite the bullet and get a new part? A quick search on the internet reveals the section is about £25 plus VAT. I had an advisory too for the back section at the MOT this month - again that is £25.

Also, my fuel consumption is a bit erratic. I generally get 430 miles for 53 - 55 litres but sometimes this goes down a fair bit. All my journeys are the same - motorway miles and I am pretty consistent with the right foot (I think). Could the exhaust blowing affect the fuel economy?

Thanks again to everyone out there. Loving my first expereince of a Volvo - if it would just stop raining in the Lake District I could do some more work on the old fella.

John

p.s. it is a 1.8Xi

yes I have experienced a drop in economy when the exhaust had a slight leak.
depends how bad the lkeaks are, the last joint before the back box seems prone to leaks, I replaced mine recently as it had rusted to lace.
Grendel