Is this exhaust beyond repair?
Discussion
My girlfriend has a 2002 Corolla 1.6 VVT which she reported was making noises like a touring car.
Upon inspection, it appears that the pipe that connects to the back box has rusted through at the mount, as below:
While I'd have been confident enough changing the back box on its own, it appears we have a bit more of a problem on our hands.
It also looks as though from that point onwards towards the front of the car is all one section, possibly including the cat (as per diagram below). If this is the case, it's going to be an expensive repair, and it seems a shame to replace the cat when it's passed the MOT with no emissions issues.
Rather than replacing the whole system (which will be c£350-£400), will it be possible to cut away the flanges and join the 2 sections with a clamped piece of pipe? To me, the rest of the system looks ok and even if it held for a year or 2, that would help. Are there any better alternatives to doing this? Or should we just replace the entire system?
Thanks in advance.
Upon inspection, it appears that the pipe that connects to the back box has rusted through at the mount, as below:
While I'd have been confident enough changing the back box on its own, it appears we have a bit more of a problem on our hands.
It also looks as though from that point onwards towards the front of the car is all one section, possibly including the cat (as per diagram below). If this is the case, it's going to be an expensive repair, and it seems a shame to replace the cat when it's passed the MOT with no emissions issues.
Rather than replacing the whole system (which will be c£350-£400), will it be possible to cut away the flanges and join the 2 sections with a clamped piece of pipe? To me, the rest of the system looks ok and even if it held for a year or 2, that would help. Are there any better alternatives to doing this? Or should we just replace the entire system?
Thanks in advance.
Try this firm, they helped me out with a non standard flexi coupling for my Saab Aero 
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/everyexhaustpartlimited/
Good luck !
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/everyexhaustpartlimited/
Good luck !
shake n bake said:
Did you guess the replacement part prices? I had a mid section with a cat in from a motor factors for 40 quid two years ago for a friends corsa, so it shouldn't be more than 100 quid for the lot.
Parts costs from ECP (£240 total) plus labour (which I guessed) at around 2 hours, though could possibly only be the 1, so maybe £300 all in. It's something I'd probably struggle to do on the driveway as the front pipe with cat is quite bulky. As mentioned, back box would have been about my limit in terms of skill 
bomma220 said:
Try this firm, they helped me out with a non standard flexi coupling for my Saab Aero
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/everyexhaustpartlimited/
Good luck !
Thanks - those flexi pipes look as though they'd do the trick. I'll need to measure the pipe diameter somehow, and will see if they have anything that fits.http://stores.ebay.co.uk/everyexhaustpartlimited/
Good luck !
shake n bake said:
Did you guess the replacement part prices? I had a mid section with a cat in from a motor factors for 40 quid two years ago for a friends corsa, so it shouldn't be more than 100 quid for the lot.
Post March 2001 cars have to legally have a cat complying with regulation 103 type approval, these are normally far more expensive and should, in theory, last longer than the 6 months most earlier non OE cats do. e.g. A post 2001 Cat for a Golf is £400, pre 2001 it's £75.TheAngryDog said:
Many cars come with a one piece exhaust system. When you get sections replaced at your local exhaust fitters they just cut the defective part off and a new part.
That would be handy, I'm sure if they were willing, it'd be easy enough to cut the exhaust back and use one of the previously mentioned flexi sections to bridge the gap. Still thinking I might give that a try. Don't like the whole 1 piece exhaust system thing though, yet another hurdle for the DIY mechanic to contend with.Mr Obertshaw said:
It's worth trying some garages. The exhaust failed on the wifes Yaris and needed replacing. Got the price for parts from ECP, but as I couldn't be arsed doing it myself got a quote from Halfrauds to supply and fit... They came in cheaper fitted than the ECP parts price!
Not a bad idea if we go down the replacement route, might try a couple of specialist exhaust places too in case they already have the parts knocking about and need rid.Spangles said:
Post March 2001 cars have to legally have a cat complying with regulation 103 type approval, these are normally far more expensive and should, in theory, last longer than the 6 months most earlier non OE cats do. e.g. A post 2001 Cat for a Golf is £400, pre 2001 it's £75.
Didn't know that, but may explain the price difference between the Corolla system and the Corsa one mentioned. From memory I've never had to change the cat on any of my cars, but the Clio I had was dirt cheap to replace the backbox on.Seems to be that a lot of Corollas of this vintage have the same problem! Was repairable using some mild steel tubing, a couple of exhaust mounts and some gun gum in the end.
For reference, if anyone needs to do the same in future, to save the faff of cutting, measuring then ordering pipe, the diameter of the exhaust is around 42mm. 44mm tubing was too tight, only alternative (which sufficed) was 48mm, but something slightly smaller would have been ideal, i.e. 46/47mm
For reference, if anyone needs to do the same in future, to save the faff of cutting, measuring then ordering pipe, the diameter of the exhaust is around 42mm. 44mm tubing was too tight, only alternative (which sufficed) was 48mm, but something slightly smaller would have been ideal, i.e. 46/47mm
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