2009 GTI130, muffler cracked

[PatinMD]

While changing the oil in my new to me 2009 GTI130, I warmed up the engine to operating temp. I noticed a few drops of water in the bilge under the muffler. While checking to see if it was a leak (it was condensation on the muffler from the cold cooling water on a very hot and humid day) I felt some air moving against my hand. Further checking found a small 1 to 1.5 inch crack on the lower and inboard side of the muffler. Based on the price of a new muffler, I'm very interested in a repair of that aluminum beast. Has anyone welded a cracked muffler before? JB welded one? Any hints or cautions?

The manual calls for a muffler strap tool to remove and to install the part. Has anyone done a muffler removal and reinstall without one? Is it a necessary tool?

thanks

 

[PatinMD]

I got into the ski this evening. The muffler strap wasn't that tight and easily came off using my hand. No tool needed. It's been off before, by previous owner I guess, as there's at least one repair weld on the muffler. There's also a melted spot on the hull under the back end where the repair weld is located (rear, bottom, outboard). I'll assume the patch was to cover a hole that was allowing hot exhaust to exit the hole onto the inner hull.
I now know the muffler can be welded for repair, and I don't think I'll need the tool to reinstall the strap. I'm headed to a weld shop tomorrow to see about getting it patched. Hopefully won't be $$$. JB weld isn't. It's a very small crack. Looks like one of the inner baffles expanded too much and pushed thru the body. It's barely enough to catch a thumbnail on and about an inch long. But it does leak water and exhaust, so it's big enough to be a problem.