Seems that I have a bad resonator. Dealer wanted to repair but I told them kto hold off for $$ reasons. I got a booK ( Haynes) and seems it is very lacking in what it has to offer in the way of info. I have read elsewhere that the resonator is not replaceable without cutting and welding etc. Will a regular exhaust shop maybe take of of it then if it is just a simple cut and weld like that or is there more to it? Can the damn thing just be cut out and straight pipe put in it's place. I am in Ca. so it might be an issue when it needs to be smogged again. Don't need any of those hassles.... Any help appreciated.... TIA
Exhaust Resonator on 99 SW
Nov 23, 2004
2 Replies
First thing that came to mind was that it's just for noise suppression. So far it appears to be just that. So, being an item I could not ignore(depending on how loud I listen to the radio) I would try to repair it. If it failed, I'm guessing you mean it developed a whole. I would use some muffler wrap on it to hold it over till I "had" to repair it.
Now as far as inpections go, well a wrap could be considered a temperary patch of the exhaust system, and if they can not get a valid sample I'm sure they will fail you. I chance it. I mean if you 'fix it' and it holds exhaust back, and out the designed flow path, could it be considered tampering?
A google search turned up the typical warnings about a failed resonator, same kind of warnings you get with open mufflers in fall:
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search for 'resonator' theres the typicalwarning about broken ones could lead towards a fire under the car. BTW, here is a page where people talk about replacing it yourself:
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Wish you luck, been years myself since I had to work on any exhaust piping(was a toyota thing), and with my saturn I seem to come accross electrical problems mostly.
later,
I also have a 99sw2 and my resonator went bad. It sounded like the muffler was shot because it's right under the front seats. I took it to the dealer and originally was told around $250. When I picked it up, it was free because it was a saturn defect.I didnt argue and left quickly. A mechanic told me it happens alot on older style resonators. The old style looks like a small cheap narrow muffler. The new one is a long welded one that looks like a long cat converter only much better made than the old one. I don't remenber if it's a one piece welded exhaust. Hope this helps
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