A vehicle's exhaust system takes the carbon dioxide produced during the engine's combustion cycle, passes it through a muffler and out the tailpipe. The muffler does just what its name suggests -- it muffles and reduces the noise created by the exhaust system. When a muffler rusts through or gets a small puncture, you'll likely notice it quickly because your exhaust will sound much louder. Minor damage to a muffler can be repaired without having to take the vehicle to a garage.
Purchase a muffler repair kit at an automotive supply store. There are typically two kinds of muffler repair kits, and either one works effectively. One is for an epoxy-based repair that seals each hole while the other uses patches on the damaged areas.
Locate the damaged area on the muffler and determine how many holes will need to be repaired.
Sand the rusted or punctured area of the muffler with 75-grit sandpaper to remove all dirt and rust flakes.
Follow the instructions in the repair kit. If you bought a patch kit, cut a patch to size and glue it into place on the damaged area. If you bought an epoxy-based kit, use the provided brush and dab the thick epoxy around each hole to plug it up.
Wait at least 24 hours or longer before driving the car, depending on the repair kit's instructions. This will allow the glue or epoxy to cure and form a solid seal over the muffler repair.
