> The 1.9 and 2.1 mufflers are different. 
> Many of the domestic suppliers use the 1.9
> as a replacement for both. Just be careful 
> and return it if it doesn't fit

> So I bought what I thought was a good muffler
> from a big box supplier ... Last week I noticed the 
> tail pipe was not there anymore.... the 3 bolt flange
> was not there either. Apparently it rusted away and
> fell off with the tail pipe.

I'm surprised to hear about all of these muffler issues people seem to be having. We sell both the 1.9L and 2.1L mufflers (yes they are different sizes) for about $100 each, and almost never have problem. I've heard of a flange rusting off once in a while but typically only after the muffler is quite old. Personally I always get a number of years out of each muffler here in PA (despite the liberal use of road salt), certainly enough to feel that I got my hundred bucks worth.  A more common, but avoidable, issue is stress failure caused by damaged or missing exhaust mounts/straps.

Links:

http://www.busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=025251053EAN  (1.9L)

http://www.busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=025251053G (2.1L including Syncro)

- Ron Salmon
  The Bus Depot, Inc.
  www.busdepot.com
  (215)  234-VWVW

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Toll-Free for Orders by PART # :  1-866-BUS-DEPOT