CJSA bears the kiss of death for my truck.

The last time she drove it, she blew a flat, and then the steering pump blew a seal and the fluid ended up leaking all over the hot engine, causing a horrific stink.

She hadn't been in my truck since then, until last night. We went out and I drove, but while out on the highway, I started hearing a rattle in the undercarriage, and by the time we arrived at our destination, the rattle had graduated to a metallic clunk. I parked and took a look under the truck, and the flange holding the tailpipe to the muffler had rusted through and the tailpipe is no longer connected to the muffler.

Obviously, it goes without saying that CJSA needs to stay the heck away from my truck.

But, in the meantime, I need to get this muffler thing sorted out. I bought an extended warranty at the time of purchase. The way the guy explained it was that it essentially extended the factory warranty to 75k miles (I have 43k). My question is whether or not the exhaust pipes would normally be covered under factory warranty/Nissan's Gold+ program? Seems odd to me that they would, but stranger things have happened.

In the event that it is not covered, I'd be looking for something new. I don't want anything super loud, because from time to time I need to drive clients around. At the same time, I'd also hope to buy something that'll hold up here in the Rust Belt for longer than 4 winters, if there is such a thing. Can anyone point me in this direction? My budget would hopefully be 500.00-700.00 for a cat-back.

Thanks in advance!

Need more information on your extended warranty. Is it power train only, or "gold" that covers more? Is it a mfg (Nissan) warranty or aftermarket? Do you have a copy in your glove box? if so, it should list specifically what it covered.

Note: A really good mfg extended warranty will list only the items that are EXCLUDED, while the less-expensive aftermarket extended warranties list ONLY the items that are included.

Nissan Gold.. I'm sure I have a copy someplace, but I'm not sure where, exactly. The deal was that there's a $50 deductible for any repair that would be covered under the normal 3yr/36k, with the term being 5yr/75k. I'm just annoyed that this is happening when I am only a few months from having the thing paid off....

Wow, 4 years old and it rusted the pipe?

I didn't know anybody put anything but stainless pipes on these days. I wouldn't think that's right at all.

However, I'm bettin your warranty won't cover it. Those things are notorious for not paying anything but catastrophic failures that are pretty rare.

I know in California there is a standard mandated warranty on emissions system which is much longer than standard warranties.

Not sure if it is national or not.

OK, I went and fetched the warranty booklet. It says that there's a limited lifetime warranty on the exhaust system, and then goes on to exclude failure due to environmental conditions, and then it explicitly lists salt as an environmental condition.

Now, it still seems weird that I'd have this sort of problem with a car that is not even 4 years old. I expect surface rust on an exhaust system, even on stainless steel, but not a complete failure.

Also, the part that failed was a flange that holds the tailpipe to the muffler. The tailpipe itself, while rusty on the surface, is still structurally OK. In looking at the muffler, though, I see it is not in very good shape. Probably won't last too much longer.

All that said, I guess I'm in the market. Ideas on a decent aftermarket cat-back system that won't make babies cry and dogs bark when I start the engine?

Could not have said it better.

Are you looking for a Dodge Hemi type rumble or what?

The Nissan 5.6L DOHC is set up to run smoothly at low power (thanks VVT). Its rumble isn't going to be too "loopy" sounding.....

Gibson... However, I would be inclined to just weld it back together to save the cash.

Methinks this is just a good excuse to add a little tone to the sound of his ride.

Bailing wire works good and just poke a couple of holes in you muffler for that rumble.

what about going to Monro or the other muffler places that have a life time warranty on the muffler for as long as you own the vehicle? We had one on a previous car and I didn't think they thought we would keep the vehicle as long as we did in upstate NY.

I am retired from dealership service department,, Factory type Gold warranty is the best factory offers however will NOT cover exhaust item that are after the converter... All items foward of converter are consitered emissions and are covered by factory emissions warranty...

If you want to do the research on aftermarket exhausts and even how they sound them I suggest checking clubtitan.com
There is always someone posting about how great there titans sound after replacing exhaust from muffler back..

I have a 06 Titan LE 4x4 Club Cab,, This one my second and I love these trucks and feel they are the best..

I am no expert on coastal conditions, but I cannot believe a decent truck would rot out in less than 50,000 miles.

If the flange it self is rusted it can't be rewelded.. New metal would have to added to existing pipe and that pipe mostlikely is also rusted..