The muffler is commonly not a component, which is often damaged. However, a few years into your ownership of your vehicle, you could start to see some minor issues caused by riding curbs or even debris, which might damage the muffler.
Leaving holes in your muffler can be frustrating and it might lead to some frustration when you are driving your vehicle. The muffler is responsible for helping the vehicle get rid of bad gasses and it keeps the car quiet. Many people wonder if can you put tape on the muffler to repair the component.
Can You Put Tape On Muffler?
You should consider using tape for the muffler when you are dealing with smaller holes. Unfortunately, larger holes might not work as well and the tape might not have enough sticking power to ensure that it sticks. You should also consider the right tape. Keep in mind that if your exhaust can reach 800 degrees Fahrenheit, the normal tape might not be a match.
Which Tape Can You Use On A Muffler?
I have identified a few of the most common tapes that you could potentially use on your muffler:
1. Duct Tape
While duct tape is one of the most universal tools on the market today, fixing your exhaust is not one of these purposes. While it would work wonders for small holes and keep some of the air in your car from being troublesome, duct tape is not as strong an adhesive as you might need when it comes to long-term functionality.
However, duct tape serves to be the perfect short-term solution, which means it would keep these holes covered for a small period. It is best to consider duct tape only as a temporary solution, which you should use when it comes to getting your vehicle to your mechanic and allowing them to fix the real cause of the problem.
Pros:
- Readily available
- Short-term solution
- Easily applicable
Cons:
- Limited lifespan
Duct tape is one of the best universal tools, but I would suggest only using it in times of need to fix or repair your vehicle.
2. Flex Tape
Flex Tape or Flex Seal is one of the most dependable ways that manufacturers can plug gaping holes and issues in their vehicles. It is great for plugging leaks and ensuring the water does not come into certain areas of the car. However, its use in the muffler might not be the best place for you to consider using flex tape.
Flex tape works wonders when it comes to sealing specific components. However, the tape lacks significantly when it comes to resistance to heat. Once the tape is subjected to heat, it might dissipate and this could loosen the tape, which also means that it will not stick for longer than a few trips.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Limited uses on your car
- Does not hold up to heat
If you are looking for tape to get you to your local mechanic and you have flex tape, it would be a decent temporary solution.
3. HVAC Tape
HVAC Tape is one of the more underrated forms of metal tape and often goes hand in hand with aluminum tape. When it comes to your exhaust, it is one of the fewer tapes to use when wrapping something around your muffler and serves a great purpose of reducing the noise when you are dealing with massive holes.
While it might not be the most effective tape for dealing with leaks and the tape tends to be rather expensive, it should work well for a couple of trips. It might take some work to wrap the tape around your vehicle efficiently, but you should ultimately get some great value and performance when you do so.
Pros:
- Reduces noise
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Price
- Not as good for leaks
HVAC tape is not the best for your exhaust or muffler, but when comparing it to some of the other tapes, it is one of the best.
4. Aluminum Tape
One of the biggest concerns you are dealing with when it comes to tape in your vehicle is the heat. The heat from the exhaust is often one of the issues you could deal with and would loosen the tape. However, aluminum tape is much better at conducting heat and while it could heat up, it might even form a better seal.
You can consider aluminum tape when you are dealing with a leaky exhaust. It would reduce the overall noise coming from your vehicle, while it could hold up much longer than other tapes and perhaps even stick much better. Aluminum tape is expensive, which is why many people often settle for one of the cheaper alternatives.
Pros:
- Great heat dissipation
- Sticks well
- Easy to apply
Cons:
- Expensive
Aluminum tape is probably the best tape option that you could ask for and while it might be expensive, it should hold up the longest.
5. Electrical Tape
Electrical tape is one of the most readily available forms of tape on the market today and you can find it at almost any hardware store. The main purpose of electrical tape is to wrap around exposed wiring and to ensure that electrical currents keep flowing. Unfortunately, the exhaust of the muffler has more to do with heat than electricity.
While electrical tape would help to seal the holes temporarily, the lifespan of this tape is not the best and while it might be great for one or two trips, you will find that it can melt rather easily. Aside from melting rapidly, the tape can also catch fire and you don’t want a fiery inferno whilst driving your vehicle.
Pros:
- Readily available
- Sticks well over small holes
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Melts
- Runs the risk of catching fire
Electrical tape is one of the best options when it comes to electrical connections. However, it might not be the best for a hot muffler.
6. Gorilla Tape
Gorilla tape is one of the best universal forms of tape that you can use for your vehicle and while it is expensive, the tape has a decent resistance to heat and would stick well to the muffler of your vehicle. Gorilla tape is easy to find and when you wrap the tape, it has some of the best tackiness on metal surfaces.
However, gorilla tape does not use the best adhesive materials and this means that the tackiness of the tape could loosen when it comes to dealing with heat. The tape is not a fire hazard but could come loose when you are plugging holes in your exhaust.
Pros:
- Great tackiness
- Ideal for all surfaces
Cons:
- Loses adhesive strength under heat
If you cannot find aluminum tape, gorilla tape should be one of the best alternatives for you to consider. It is easy to apply and should hold up for a while.
Amongst 6, Which Tape Is The Best To Seal A Muffler Leak?
Aluminum tape is the clear favorite and due to the durability and ease of wrapping, you would find that it holds up the longest. Aluminum tape tends to melt as it heats up and this means that the metal inside could provide more of a seal.
There are numerous forms of tape that you can choose from, with duct tape being one of the most commonly used. However, the problem with duct tape is that it might not offer you the same durability over the longer term. Not only does it run the risk of melting, but duct tape would also lose some adhesive strength.
In essence, I would recommend that you consider aluminum tape and while it might be the more expensive option, it would give you the best durability and functionality for your vehicle.
How Long Can I Drive With Tape On My Exhaust?
If you have applied the tape to your exhaust, this certainly does not mean that you are in the clear. Unfortunately, exhaust tape can come loose and this would require constant application. Driving with a leak in the muffler could lead to carbon monoxide poising in the passenger seat as well.
The main purpose for using tape to seal your muffler is to give you time to reach your mechanic. I would not recommend that you spend too long driving around with exhaust tape and you should consider visiting your mechanic as soon as possible. This would make it possible for you to fix the issue.