Upon closer inspection, my exhaust appears to be leaking somewhere inside the plates that enclose the exhaust. There are a series of these plates that sandwich the exhaust and it is leaking where the two pipes come back into one. Is this bad news? it looks like the pipe goes all the way from the cast iron manifold to the catalytic convetor. Please tell me it isn't so! Any ideas where to get the best deal on a new one? Thanks! Thom

HI Thom: Those 2 plates are just heat sheilds that can be cut off and in my opinion you really don't need . There is a small "Y" pipe and thats most likely the problem. You can check after you take off the shields. If the pipe is solid, and it most likely is ,either you or a muffler shop can wire weld it closed. Just make sure that your battery is disconnected and you remove any relays behind the ash tray that have anything to do with the computer, such as the fuel pump relay, surpression relay mounted in front of your coolant recovery tank, you can just unplug the wire harness to that. Make sure the car frame is grounded . Look in your Volvo owners manual for WARNINGS having to do with welding on your car and take it to the shop and show them the information. Good luck, Dan.
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Dan's 88 Volvo 740 GLE WAGON non-turbo

Dan, Thanks so much for the info! You confirmed exactly what a local muffler shop suggested as far as welding the pipe. I was ready to start ordering new pipes to the tune of $400.00 or more so I really appreciiate your response. I'm going to take it today and try to get it fixed and I had no idea about the weld warnings in the owners manual! Thanks again! Thom

Hi Thom: I am very glad that I could help you and also glad that you wrote back to me to let me know the outcome, very few people do. If you need further help with other problems with your Volvo just write directly to me and I will tru to help you. My email address is uptownwestmont@mindspring.com good luck,Dan Metz.
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Dan's 88 Volvo 740 GLE WAGON non-turbo