That darn... exhaust!

Post by **dunketh** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 3:07 pm

Just found out my exhaust is split across the pipe below the clamp.

Its only 2 years old, although a cheap £30 partco job.

Any ideas as to why its happened?
I dont think I've ever seen an exhaust split across-ways where theres no join or stress area.

I had no end of bother last year with it refusing to seal at the manifold joint. A new clamp and some welding to the collar (which had split) fixed this.
Its been fine for 12 months now its decided to <ahem> me around again!

Grrrr.... I cam back from Bath on Sunday and it sounded like an asthmatic tank.
To make things worse, I popped over to Charlie Wares to see if they had anything to help - and they've moved shop so I couldnt find them.

Anyway, Merry Christmas to you all, and to all a neatly sealed exhaust.

Post by **Willie** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 3:44 pm

The only exhaust which failed on me snapped immediately below the
belled out piece below the clamp. This is an obvious stress point with each movement of the engine. I spent a happy hour belling out the broken end in order to get home again. You can minimise the stress
by ensuring that the top engine steady is not allowing too much movement and by ensuring that the exhaust is not hitting the edge of the hole in the lower bulkhead through which it passes.

Post by **alex_holden** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 4:19 pm

Drop ndevans a PM as he had several break like this. I think he eventually solved it by swapping to a two-part stainless exhaust.

Post by **bigginger** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 4:35 pm

Is that the guy I helped on the LEO? That was just an old stock exhaust that I had in the shed. I think the problem is the way the 'bell' on the newer ones is made. Seems to be a cone driven into the end of the pipe, cold. which leads to a weak point developing there. That's just guesswork, but I think Neil was going to explore it further

Post by **alex_holden** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 4:38 pm

Really? I was sure he said it was a stainless two-parter. Maybe I'm confused because that was what he was planning to fit before we broke down at Taunton.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 4:58 pm

There used to be a repair section sold for Minis - bell mouth with about 8" of pipe. That would certainly sort your problem if you can find one.

Post by **bigginger** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 5:24 pm

alex_holden wrote:Really? I was sure he said it was a stainless two-parter. Maybe I'm confused because that was what he was planning to fit before we broke down at Taunton.

Could have been - it was just one out of the shed

He *WAS* planning on going all the way to B Motif, I think, but the plan changed.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 9:28 pm

I see that a stainless LCV exhaust is two piece - and cheaper than a saloon three piece stainless. Is the LCV exhaust really any different shape ? And - maybe they would sell you just the front section of a 3 piece saloon exhaust?

Post by **bigginger** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 9:34 pm

Slightly different, yes, in that it has a right angle bend in it, rises over the prop and exits just in front of the off side rear wheel. Takes a trained eye to spot it, mind ;)

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 9:38 pm

Ah -ha!! No experience at all with LCVs!

Post by **dunketh** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 3:42 pm

Oh well, bodgery saves the day for the time being!

I've hose-clipped a carlsberg tin around the split - clipped top and bottom.
Trouble is, I've found most of the 'cone' has actually split too!

Flipping cheap <insert profanity> rubbish.

Well, I'm off to buy another now.

I've seen a 3 piece stainless job on Bul Motif, trouble is its 70 odd quid. For the money i'd want a large bore system.

Post by **Orkney** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 4:09 pm

Dont BM do a budget large bore in stainless? could have sworn have seen one on the price list (the paper one not the website)

Post by **dunketh** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 4:21 pm

I've seen a couple of nice 'reasonable' ones. Trouble is I cant spend £100-up on the car right now, despite what good sense it makes in the longterm.
I've just got off the phone to a local small parts place and they recon they can have one ready for collection tomorrow.
Even if its ruibbish it'll last a year or two.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 6:48 pm

Will BM not sell you just the front section of the 3 section exhaust?

Post by **Willie** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 7:01 pm

my stainless system is 2 piece, I have never seen a 3 piece small bore.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 7:02 pm

No - Me neither - but that's what BM are advertising at the moment.

Post by **Kevin** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:24 am

my stainless system is 2 piece,

Agreed Willie I though the only 3 piece ones were large bore systems.