Muffler discoloration

[Truckdriver]

Anyone seeing their muffler with discoloration in two round areas on each side?
Took a long road trip, about 3K miles, and noticed the discoloration following the trip.

 

[CBH]

Anyone seeing their muffler with discoloration in two round areas on each side?
Took a long road trip, about 3K miles, and noticed the discoloration following the trip.

I painted the rear face of my muffler so if the round areas are there I’m not sure I’d see them.

 

[byhumba]

Anyone seeing their muffler with discoloration in two round areas on each side?
Took a long road trip, about 3K miles, and noticed the discoloration following the trip.

Can you post pictures of this? There is a natural discoloration (or patina) occurring on steel when intense heat is present. This is completely normal, but I don't know if this is what you are referring to. High performance mufflers are made with high quality steel that does not rust like regular mufflers, but do get a change in color with heat (this is actually a good sign your muffler is of good quality).

 

[Truckdriver]

Can you post pictures of this? There is a natural discoloration (or patina) occurring on steel when intense heat is present. This is completely normal, but I don't know if this is what you are referring to. High performance mufflers are made with high quality steel that does not rust like regular mufflers, but do get a change in color with heat (this is actually a good sign your muffler is of good quality).

Exactly, a patina would best explain it, definitely not rust.
I’ll snap a pic tomorrow and post it.

 

[RKKRAWL]

In the video by Magnaflow of their install of their new exhaust for the 392 it shows Marco's muffler totally discolored.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

In the video by Magnaflow of their install of their new exhaust for the 392 it shows Marco's muffler totally discolored.

Yep, that was obvious. Might be a muffler skid in my future.

 

[Trailcat392]

Guys simple fix for that. Use mothers wheel and alloy wax and it will never discolor again. It happened to me when I first Got it and I waxed It with mothers (little red and black jar) and that was six months ago. Still looking good.

 

[Truckdriver]

Guys simple fix for that. Use mothers wheel and alloy wax and it will never discolor again. It happened to me when I first Got it and I waxed It with mothers (little red and black jar) and that was six months ago. Still looking good.

Thanks for the info!!!! I’ll give it a try.

 

[EBYCREEK]

You can always cover it.

 

[Trailcat392]

That looks so cheap and unoriginal… everyone has their preferences

 

[EBYCREEK]

That looks so cheap and unoriginal… everyone has their preferences

Mostly for protection, not looks. If you go to Moab much you won't be coming back with a muffler unless you skid everything including the muffler.

 

[jchrisbauer13]

That looks so cheap and unoriginal… everyone has their preferences

Damn, that's rough. I personally think it looks better than the exposed muffler (probably the worst cosmetic feature of jeeps IMHO) and if functional and provides good protection then even better. What happened to the old adage....if you don't have something nice to say then don't say anything at all? I've seen several pics of mods members have posted that I have not been fond of but hold back that opinion. We don't all have the same tastes and that is a good thing as it gives more options on the market. We don't want members to hold back posting their work for fear of being criticized. Seeing what we don't like in planning our mods is just as beneficial as seeing what we do like! Thanks for the post Ebycreek!

 

[justinB]

When I first noticed the 'staining' which was kind of an odd brown color I figured it was residual oil burning off from the muffler's manufacturing process, as a light oil helps with sheet metal stamp & die process as well as helps with preventing oxidation.

I sprayed Oven-Off on the rear section of the muffler, let it sit for ~1 hour, and used a soft (blue) scour pad and the discoloration went away relatively easy. I then polished this section with steel polish, using a drill with an attached polish pad, and it came out looking pretty good.

I did this approximately 6 months ago, after driving it/owning it for a month. I did notice just yesterday that it is starting to turn slightly brownish again, not as bad as the first time. I figure this may end up just being one of my cosmetic maintenance procedures I'll end up doing a couple time a year.

At some point I'd like to have a chrome muffler and everything behind it in chrome e.g. the tail pipe tips. This would go good with my color scheme.

 

[PNW392]

Mine is discolored too....so that is "normal" and a good thing?
Do I need to treat it or polish it or can I just let it be?
Thx!

 

[cgrosen324]

So glad I no longer have the stock muffler! Man that thing was an eyesore! I went with the MF rock crawler exhaust and love it. I miss the ability to push a button for ‘quiet mode’ from time to time but it’s really not a big deal.

 

[HearHear]

Yes, a little discoloration on the sides. Honestly? When I wash my Jeep I just wipe the muffler off with a few wet paper towels. All around including tailpipes. Looks like new. But the tailpipes are uneven, they’re crooked.

Anyone take theirs to the dealer yet for straightening the uneven tailpipes? I’m afraid to. And I’m not doing it myself. Anyone want to come by and do it for me? I’ll pay well LOL!

 

[StuM]

Yes, a little discoloration on the sides. Honestly? When I wash my Jeep I just wipe the muffler off with a few wet paper towels. All around including tailpipes. Looks like new. But the tailpipes are uneven, they’re crooked.

Anyone take theirs to the dealer yet for straightening the uneven tailpipes? I’m afraid to. And I’m not doing it myself. Anyone want to come by and do it for me? I’ll pay well LOL!

They all seem out of alignment. I used an adjustable clamp and cinched up the rubber exhaust hanger on the passenger side and it mostly solved the issue. I also painted the muffler flat black (high heat paint) and that also helped the issue, visually.

 

[PNW392]

They all seem out of alignment. I used an adjustable clamp and cinched up the rubber exhaust hanger on the passenger side and it mostly solved the issue. I also painted the muffler flat black (high heat paint) and that also helped the issue, visually.

Great idea! I would love to see a pic of that if you don't mind. Or do I just order the MetalCloak skid armor for the muffler instead?

 

[StuM]

Great idea! I would love to see a pic of that if you don't mind. Or do I just order the MetalCloak skid armor for the muffler instead?

I’ll try to grab a photo. I used a screw type hose clamp, encircled the rubber hanger and screwed it tight. Still a bit of play in the rubber hanger, so no vibration, etc.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

Yes, a little discoloration on the sides. Honestly? When I wash my Jeep I just wipe the muffler off with a few wet paper towels. All around including tailpipes. Looks like new. But the tailpipes are uneven, they’re crooked.

Anyone take theirs to the dealer yet for straightening the uneven tailpipes? I’m afraid to. And I’m not doing it myself. Anyone want to come by and do it for me? I’ll pay well LOL!

There is a video on utube, cant find it right now. You need a deep 15 mm socket. Find two hose claps on inlet side of muffler and loosen the clamps. Push up as far as you can on the right side of the muffler, overcorrecting the tilt. Tighten the clamps while holding the muffler up. Release muffler and it will come down some but hopefully much straighter. Got mine almost level.