Temporary stainless exhaust fix

[Whiters]

Hi all,

My stainless backbox has split in two separate directions, one across the body and the other along the edge seam, about 4-5 inches in total. I need to get it welded but also need to use the car before it goes in. My question is, if I try a fix with metal tape or something else like a gum, is that going to scupper the MIG welding that's needed, or add extra labour time removing it? Or will it come off easily enough?

I can find plenty online about fitting, but nothing on how easy it is to remove afterwards.

Cheers - Rich

[Krikkit]

All of the stick-on stuff I've used is basically permanent, I'd use it as-is if you can, don't make it harder to get a good weld on later.

[Whiters]

Krikkit said:

All of the stick-on stuff I've used is basically permanent, I'd use it as-is if you can, don't make it harder to get a good weld on later.

Thanks for that. Figured I was making a rod for my own back.

[Plymo]

The aluminium tape stuff is reasonably good for low pressure stuff like that and won't be hard to remove, but it doesn't last particularly long either.
Is there any particular reason to do a temporary repair now if you're planning a proper repair ASAP anyway? Or am I misunderstanding and it's about to break apart?

[Arnold Cunningham]

I find welding exhausts, even stainless, not always successful. By the time it’s split, it usually also got thin enough to be close to junk. Obviously can be done, hell, I’ve used wire coat hangers and a tin can with a bit of gun gum to repair a box before. Just saying don’t have too high expectations, even stainless exhausts don’t let forever.

[Whiters]

Plymo said:

The aluminium tape stuff is reasonably good for low pressure stuff like that and won't be hard to remove, but it doesn't last particularly long either.
Is there any particular reason to do a temporary repair now if you're planning a proper repair ASAP anyway? Or am I misunderstanding and it's about to break apart?

Thanks - It's more that I need the car and it's making quite a racket. It came on pretty quickly although I suspected a slight blow last week and kept meaning to look at it. Sod's law.

The garage haven't confirmed when they can take it yet, but lead times with decent specialists always tend to be a couple of weeks. As my Discovery recently shat its electrics (odd hey...) and I'm unlikely to get back for a week or two, I could really do with a temp fix.

[Arnold Cunningham]

Maybe….couple of big jubilee clips, tin can and some gun gum? Don’t worry about it sticking, they can wire brush if flap disc it all off, which they’ll need to anyone to attempt a Tig repair.

[Dog Star]

Arnold Cunningham said:

Maybe….couple of big jubilee clips, tin can and some gun gum? Don’t worry about it sticking, they can wire brush if flap disc it all off, which they’ll need to anyone to attempt a Tig repair.

You can get giant jubilee clips - they’re basically big lengths of the threaded strap and the screw assembly. Cut to length. That’s what I’d use with some plate - a cut open bean tin would do.

Can’t remember who makes them - I’ve a couple in my workshop.

“Extra long jubilee clip” on Amazon.

Edited by Dog Star on Friday 1st July 16:25

[Whiters]

Dog Star said:

Arnold Cunningham said:

Maybe….couple of big jubilee clips, tin can and some gun gum? Don’t worry about it sticking, they can wire brush if flap disc it all off, which they’ll need to anyone to attempt a Tig repair.

You can get giant jubilee clips - they’re basically big lengths of the threaded strap and the screw assembly. Cut to length. That’s what I’d use with some plate - a cut open bean tin would do.

Can’t remember who makes them - I’ve a couple in my workshop.

“Extra long jubilee clip” on Amazon.

Edited by Dog Star on Friday 1st July 16:25

Thanks both. I'll take a look on Amazon now. And in the kitchen cupboard...

[Plymo]

Dog Star said:

Arnold Cunningham said:

Maybe….couple of big jubilee clips, tin can and some gun gum? Don’t worry about it sticking, they can wire brush if flap disc it all off, which they’ll need to anyone to attempt a Tig repair.

You can get giant jubilee clips - they’re basically big lengths of the threaded strap and the screw assembly. Cut to length. That’s what I’d use with some plate - a cut open bean tin would do.

Can’t remember who makes them - I’ve a couple in my workshop.

Something like this maybe?
https://www.toolstation.com/draper-wide-hose-clamp...
Sounds a lot sturdier than my tape idea too.

Though maybe a replacement silencer would be a better option bearing in mind labour costs (as they are easy to replace you could DIY it no bother) and could be quicker as well, unless it's something particularly exotic or expensive

[PhillipM]

As many said, drinks can, jubilee clips, smear of silicone sealant on the drinks can to the backbox.

[E-bmw]

PhillipM said:

As many said, drinks can, jubilee clips, smear of silicone sealant on the drinks can to the backbox.

Really?

It will stick like sh!t & will definitely get in the way for the subsequent welding, much better something designed for the task like gun gum.

[finishing touch]

If anyone brings me an object to be welded that is smeared, coated or plastered with any form of gunge or goo

then the job is politely refused.

Paul G