Loud Pipes on PEI

We took our time this morning before leaving Fundy National Park and heading to Prince Edward Island. We took the backroad route to Moncton and then mostly highways to the bridge to the island.

I got off the highway about a quarter of the way after Moncton to drop down to the quieter coastal road, but about a mile down the road it was blocked off. It was back to the highway to the next exit to try again. We got to the back road only to end up behind two Class C RVs who were meandering along at 15mph under the already low speed limit. We followed them until we finally got back to the highway where they continued to meander at 15mph under the higher speed limit…it was only a two lane highway!  Fortunately, they went straight when we went left for the last 15 miles to the island.

After stopping at the visitor center at the island end of the bridge for maps and lunch we continued on to Summerside for a bit of provisioning at the Atlantic Superstore. While Ellen and Beth went into the market, Bob and I took the vans to refuel at the station next door.

We then headed to Cabot Beach Provincial Park via the quiet route. As I pulled away from the entrance station, I noticed the Speedy was very loud. After stopping at the campsite, I crawled underneath to fit that the pipe to the muffler had broken just where it joined the muffler resonator right behid the front pipe hanger. This left the muffler hanging in midair with only the pipe hanger well behind it holding it up.

Have I mentioned that it was now 4:30 in the afternoon on a Friday. 

I placed a quick call to Summerside Chrysler, who had helped us last year when our brakes disintegrated. They directed me to Dan’s Mufflers, which was the only muffler shop at this end of the island.

I quickly called Dan’s. They said they were only open for 20 more minutes. I explained our dilemma and I asked if we  could at least bring in on Monday. Dan (I think it was Dan) came on the call and said that they were booked up through the 22nd and we would have to wait for a gap. After a few seconds he said that if we came in right now, he would do it before going home.

We closed up Speedy and sped the 27km back to Summerside…taking the highway route this time. We arrived at 5:05. He quickly made up a collar that was welded to the front of the resonator and slipped over the pipe leading forward. He welded a new hanger to the collar as it was right where the original hanger was mounted. We we were good to go in 40 minutes and the total was only $50 Canadian.

It was back to Cabot Beach (by the fast route again) for a slightly buggy steak dinner with brownies for dessert. It looks to be warm night and there were no powered sites available, so it might be a bit sticky