So I've been having some rough idleing and low-power acceleration for a few weeks. Replaced the fuel filter, air filter, and cleaned out the throttle body. No real improvement. Took to a mechanic who says it needs a new Y pipe. Any ideas on what this should cost to have repaired? Can this be done at standard mechanic or does it have to be a dealership? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Hi Mbp002, welcome to FTE!

I'd love to hear an explanation as to how this could be your problem. I'm skeptical to say the least.

The only exhaust problem that can cause a bad running engine is if it were somehow clogged. This can happen to a catalytic converter but I've never heard of it happening to a Y-pipe. Either way the problem would first be noticed at high RPMs under high engine loads, and the problem would be worse as the RPMs got higher. An engine with a partially plugged cat would likely idle just fine and the problem may not show itself until you put the accelerator down.

Was this truck scanned for trouble codes? Does the power loss get progressively worse as the RPMs increase?

 

Scanned for codes but nothing was found. The rough idle is highly intermittent. And yes, the power issue does get worse as RPMs increase but is also intermittent.

 

The intermittent-ness makes me just about positive that it's not a Y-pipe. Has your mechanic explained why he thinks this is at fault? If you had a plugged pipe it would not be intermittent.

How many miles are on it? What sort of tests did he perform that make him want to replace the Y-pipe?

 

Check/clean your IAC valve.

 

His mechanic didn't use a scanner for you, he used a scammer. They seem the same but the scammer is not what you want. Check the IACV, depending on the mileage you might want to clean the T-body (on the vehicle with carb cleaner and don't start it up for at least 5 minutes so it can evaporate) then go find yourself a legitamate mechanic that either:

A: Knows what he is talking about
OR
B: Isn't out to do useless repairs trying to drain your wallet

Honestly, what comes through the engine that is big enough to clog a 2 inch pipe? If it is somehow clogged you have bigger problem to address