Stainless steel exhaust- service life?

[mowogg]

I have a stainless exhaust on my saloon that has been fitted since 1994- I guess it's done 120k while fitted . It does not leak or rattle, but of late seems to be failing on the manifold joint quite regularly.

It's got me thinking- is it slowly blocking up which is causing too much back pressure? This could be causing the manifold leaks

Is there a way to test this? What should I be expecting in terms of it's service life

[myoldjalopy]

What sort of clamp do you have? The 'traditional' ones aren't the best design. They may become compromised over time I think. After I had similar problems to you, I swapped to a heavy duty cast one: https://www.morrisminorspares.com/engin ... th-p830073
Had no leaks since......several years now, I think.

[mowogg]

I have been there with the clamps. I have the heavy duty cast type fitted. Still tends to leak

[mike1864]

Blimey. After 32 years, it must be out of warranty!

[King Kenny]

I bought mine in 1979 from the Morris Minor Center in Bath. Still going strong. I have gone through several clamps. I have a heavy duty one that I got from a scrapyard many years ago.

[Mervin]

Could the engine steady need adjusting, need new rubbers or the engine mounts be too flexible causing the engine to "wobble" a bit when starting or engaging the clutch?
I could be wrong, but wasn't the engine steady a modification to stop judder when engaging the clutch? Hence causing the manifold to pipe joint to leak.
My S.S. exhaust has been on the car since 1999. I have had issues in trying to obtain a good seal at that joint too. The cast clamp does seem to have done the trick though.