Exhaust Problem! Help Needed!
Discussion
Sitting in the traffic on the way back from the Ace Cafe the other night I could small exhaust fumes in the cabin. I know its not unheard of in a Wedge, but just as a precaution I thought I'd take it to an exhaust centre. The guy told me the join of the two downpipes on both sides have a slight leak where they are bolted together, and that the downpipes may be the wrong ones as the reach is too short. He told me there is nothing he can do to seal the slight leak. Has anyone else had this problem and how can it be solved without changing the downpipes as they look quite good. The downpipes are steel but the rest of the exhaust is stainless. Who can fix such a problem and are there spacers or gaskets to close that gap? Any advice is welcome.
Tony. TCB
Tony. TCB
Hi Mate..I had the same problem on mine at the same point..I have now had a flexi connector welded on to the offending pipe, One end was welded to the pipe with the flange on that fits onto the downpipe and the other end was welded to the mid pipe..Mine was resealed with exhaust jointing paste and new bolts put through, Im not sure you have gaskets there..I could be wrong!!..I have hardly any points along the exhaust that are rubber mounted..Apart from just before the tailpipe behind the rear valance..Im surprised he cant do anything about it?..Are you sure he is an exhaust fitter...Ziga
Edited by mrzigazaga on Friday 23 March 17:02
Difficult to tell without seeing it, but normally the joins have a sealing ring in them in between the two flanges. This is called a sealing olive i believe. This sometimes breaks down and hence a leak. These are still available and any decent exhaust place should have them or know how to get them. New rings and sealing paste normally does the trick. Try to get good quality bolts and washers that wil last.
Chris
Chris
wooly350i said:
Can we assume you've got the cast iron do-nuts sandwiched between the flanges ?
I am not sure what cast iron do-nuts are but there is a clamp there with two bolts on either side holding the two pipes together. Its where the downpipe meets the rest of the exhaust pipe.Like Zig says I thought an exhaust place would be able to take it apart, put a sealer or something and bolt it back together but this guy says not. Unless I take it somewhere else for a second opinion. I've never come across a similar problem.Tony. TCB.
This is quite a common problem and a small leak doesn't do any harm.
Quite often you can just do up the bolts a tad and it does the trick.
However if the "donuts" or olives as they are called - which are trapped in between the pipes - have cracked then the leak can get much worse.
The cast iron ones are prone to cracking and generally wearing out. However you can get Unipart Jaguar ones instead - these are much bigger and I think take up the gaps a bit better.
Also get some decent quality stainless bolts - I usually use 3" ones (you'll need longer ones with these olives) and use double nuts on each bolt - usually I use nylocs, although the nylon does melt away they stay in place for long enough for a tiny bit of corrosion to build up and then they stay put.
You can also use exhaust paste but it soon drops out.
Quite often you can just do up the bolts a tad and it does the trick.
However if the "donuts" or olives as they are called - which are trapped in between the pipes - have cracked then the leak can get much worse.
The cast iron ones are prone to cracking and generally wearing out. However you can get Unipart Jaguar ones instead - these are much bigger and I think take up the gaps a bit better.
Also get some decent quality stainless bolts - I usually use 3" ones (you'll need longer ones with these olives) and use double nuts on each bolt - usually I use nylocs, although the nylon does melt away they stay in place for long enough for a tiny bit of corrosion to build up and then they stay put.
You can also use exhaust paste but it soon drops out.
Thanks for all the help and information gentlemen. Next week the Wedge is booked in for some front suspension work at my local classic car workshop. Once this is done I shall try and get hold of these doughnut rings and take it to an exhaust place to have them fitted and hopefully sort the problem. If I have difficulty I may be back on the forum for more advice. I'll keep you all informed as to the progress. Thanks again.
Tony. TCB.
Tony. TCB.
adam quantrill said:
Also get some decent quality stainless bolts - I usually use 3" ones (you'll need longer ones with these olives) and use double nuts on each bolt - usually I use nylocs, although the nylon does melt away they stay in place for long enough for a tiny bit of corrosion to build up and then they stay put.
Stiff nuts, that's what you need 
OK Andy. I will try going to several other good exhaust places in my area and hopefully get the problem sorted. After the last place I visited he made it sound as though its only a TVR part and anyway its only a very slight leak but I want it fixed all the same as I can smell it when in traffic. I will get the car back from the classic car repair shop on Friday as its going in for some front suspension work. I may even have a word with them, maybe they can repair it. Thanks for your help.
Tony. TCB.
Tony. TCB.
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