Exhaust problems..
Exhaust problems..
Author
Discussion

matt-man

Original Poster:

2,667 posts

248 months

Sunday 18th March 2007
quotequote all
Hey all,

Well, took the old girl out for a spin yesterday afternoon, and suddenly the car got a lot noisier, and in a bad way.

Im guessing that the manifold gaskets decided to make a quick getaway. Today ive tried to tighten the bolts up (after a good old soak in plus gas) and they moved whichis good news! They were quite loose, although didnt make any difference to the blowing.

Question is, do i get a new exhaust or just try the gaskets? The pipe is a bit shot from front to back, ad has always been on the list of things to do, but i have a gut feeling it could be an expensive and time consuming job.

How good are the ACT exhausts? Anyone know any more?

Thanks in advance!

phart

226 posts

247 months

Sunday 18th March 2007
quotequote all
My manifolds started blowing. Tightning up made no difference, changing the gaskets sorted it though. Not too much of a job, I would recommend an ARP bolt set, they have smaller heads than the standard... made it so much easier to get a spanner on. The other bas%$rd problem I had was undoing all the bolts at once, the manifold sprung down and it took three of us to get it lined up again to get a bolt in, so do one half of a manifold at a time if you can! Best of luck! At least its a cheaper option than a full new system.

combine

3,114 posts

258 months

Sunday 18th March 2007
quotequote all
Probably best to get wedge on a lift and find out where leak is , could be an easy repair job eg new gaskets. while she's up there check condition of system , then decide wether you want something really loud like mine ! Go for it ! People just stop in the street for that sound .

blaineuk

2,615 posts

276 months

Sunday 18th March 2007
quotequote all
combine said:
Probably best to get wedge on a lift and find out where leak is , could be an easy repair job eg new gaskets. while she's up there check condition of system , then decide wether you want something really loud like mine ! Go for it ! People just stop in the street for that sound .

they proably think a bomb has just gone of when you come down the street.

ed_crouch

1,169 posts

271 months

Sunday 18th March 2007
quotequote all
Ive got a RTracing sports exhaust. 520 quid. Good bit of kit, and utterly bulletproof. Bit of a swine to fit, but SO strong, and cos its made of 18/8 Austenitic, it'll outlast the car...

Ed.

matt-man

Original Poster:

2,667 posts

248 months

Sunday 18th March 2007
quotequote all
last time i put her on the ramp, i had a little 'bodge' done to patch up a hole which has appeared on the front of the downpipes which isnt good. Id love a new one, but as always, money is an issue!

Ive got a new rear section, and now after the rest!

I think ill start with the gaskets and see how i get on! Thanks for the tips on alignment and bolt set. Its quite a tight fit!

Louder exhaust does sound good though, although my neighbours already hate me!

BadRedWedge

3,450 posts

257 months

Monday 19th March 2007
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Matt YHM

tvrleigh

6,553 posts

242 months

Tuesday 20th March 2007
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Be carefull when tight'ning them up as it easy to damage the thread if done too tight. as they are ali heads.

adam quantrill

11,679 posts

271 months

Tuesday 20th March 2007
quotequote all
Ha - most of them you can't get at with a decent wrench anyways.

I do 'em up cold, reasonably tight (hand action on a 9-inch spanner). Then start up the engine and warm up the heads a bit. Then go round all the bolts after a few minutes. Take it out for a quick spin, let it all cool down, then check them again.

Usually one or two will take another half turn.

Also I use exhaust assembly paste on the gaskets.

leorest

2,346 posts

268 months

Wednesday 21st March 2007
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tvrleigh said:
Be carefull when tight'ning them up as it easy to damage the thread if done too tight. as they are ali heads.
Also all too easy to cross thread. So if you do take the whole lot off then make sure the bolts run into the heads nicely with your fingers and if not then run a tap down till they do! Now when you fit the manifolds you know how much force is required to spin the bolts into position. If it starts to tighten up after only a turn you know you've got the threads crossed! here speaks the words of bitter experience (and hindsight)

rev-erend

21,619 posts

313 months

Wednesday 21st March 2007
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Just been doing a bit of open heart surgery on my exhaust box..

and a bit of stainless welding practice.. it's pretty interesting..

adam quantrill

11,679 posts

271 months

Wednesday 21st March 2007
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Restuffing your box?

rev-erend

21,619 posts

313 months

Thursday 22nd March 2007
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adam quantrill said:
Restuffing your box?


Always .. hehe

wedg1e

27,038 posts

294 months

Thursday 22nd March 2007
quotequote all
rev-erend said:
Just been doing a bit of open heart surgery on my exhaust box..

and a bit of stainless welding practice.. it's pretty interesting..



MIG or TIG?

rev-erend

21,619 posts

313 months

Friday 23rd March 2007
quotequote all
wedg1e said:
rev-erend said:
Just been doing a bit of open heart surgery on my exhaust box..

and a bit of stainless welding practice.. it's pretty interesting..



MIG or TIG?


MIG.. my efforts look good enought to be contineous and gas tight..

Strange that I also got pretty good results using steel wire and CO2.. guess it just rusts more..