$187 for a resonator?

Hi, Group,

I'd like your opinion. Recently, my daughter took her 2001
SC2 (purchased new 3/2000, 43,000 miles) into our North NJ
dealership for a noisy exhaust. It turned out to be a
leaking resonator (it's located after the catalytic
converter and before the muffler). They replaced the
resonator and charged us $187 for the resonator plus
additional charges for a clamp, bolts and labor. Was she
ripped off? Should a resonator really cost $187? Is a
resonator really necessary in the first place? Couldn't it
be replaced with a section of pipe, assuming you don't mind
a little louder exhaust noise?

Thanks,

Al

 

The OEM part is probably stainless steel which is going to be more expensive
than a steel one (that will also rust out fairly quickly). Replacing it with
a straight pipe is a possibility but it will change the exhaust
back-pressure which in turn affects the engine management parameters. Don't
know for sure if it will affect the emissions or cause problems with the
valves (low backpressure can cause higher wear on the exhaust valves).

Aside from the high temperatures in a catalytic converter, one of the
unintentional by-products is Nitrogen Oxides (NOx). These combine with the
water vapor that is a normal by-product of combustion and form Nitric Acid.
Stainless steel holds up much better to the acids and temperature.

I had another car with a stainless exhaust system. At 200K miles, I had all
the original pipes (still in good shape) but had replaced the muffler 3
times.

Oppie

 

I had another car with a stainless exhaust system. At 200K miles, I had all

Believe it or not, the exhaust system on my 95 SC2 with 216k miles is
completely stock! The flex pipe looks as though its ready to leak any day
now(although it has looked that way for 2 years) and I have a new section to go
on it when it does.

 

The service dept at Saturn of Denville replaced my resonator and hardware
under warranty. If I had lived in south jersey near the water they would
not have warranteed it because of the salt in the air.

I would complain. They did it for me, they should do it for you. If you
want a copy of my work order e-mail me.