Exhaust Problems....

[J-Cupra]

Hi All

I've been hanging around this great site for a while but have yet to post until today!

I've got a standard 2003 Leon Cupra and have a slight problem and would be grateful if someone could give me a few suggestions.

After driving home and parking up last night I noticed that my exhaust was rattling, it sounds like it’s coming from the centre section.

If you wobble the exhaust by hand while pushing upwards it doesn't seem to make a rattle. It also just seems to happen when the engine is idleling.

Does this sound like a bracket has gone? The actual exhaust doesn't seem to be blowing at all and the car seems to be performing fine.

I've read that there’s an exhaust bracket on most of the VAG cars that’s regarded as really weak component and is likely to fail....

Do you think it is Ok to carry on driving when it is like this?

Also is the cupra exhaust an all in one system?

Sorry bit of a novice

Thanks Guys......

James.

 

[skidder]

could be a heat shield if there is one, some of the more knowledgable guys should be able to help you out.

 

[BEOWULF]

could be a heat shield if there is one, some of the more knowledgable guys should be able to help you out.

or ya cat
if u can wobble ya exhaust and it don't make a noise or it feels quite sturdy should not worry about driving it but i would get it on a ramp to have a look

 

[J-Cupra]

thanks Beowulf I'll try and get it up on a ramp and get someone to take a look. Tempted if it's bad to get a replacement system...I've heard Milltek are good how much do you reckon it would cost for a garage to fit the system?

 

[cordobabrendy]

if it only rattles at idle I'd bet beowolfs wages that its the heatshield. get under and bang the corners of the shields with the butt of a hammer, if its gone then you have it sorted!

 

[skidder]

As i said before usually a heat sheild causes rattles at idle, Its a common thing regardless of what car it is, although a good excuse to get an aftermarket exhaust. As said give it a bash around the exhaust but sounds like you really want an excuse to get yourself a wee stainless steel number for the car

 

[BEOWULF]

if it only rattles at idle I'd bet beowolfs wages that its the heatshield. get under and bang the corners of the shields with the butt of a hammer, if its gone then you have it sorted!

why my wages do u know somthing i dont

 

[RikH]

mine makes a metal on metal vibrating noise at idle from the exhaust
its solid as rock though and wont move, ive been under and its that naff bracket
this is 2nd exhuast thats done it
just going to leave it until the new s/s system is fitted

 

[JmZ]

I had exactly this a month ago. I thought it might be the heatshield on the CAT, but it turned out that the hanger on the mandrel bend (after the back box) had rotted through.

Betting my money on this hanger, common weakpoint.

 

[Markos1972]

Had the same prob and it was the centre bracket same as yours jmz,but my dealer replaced the whole back box under warranty last month,so yeah I think it is a known issue.

 

[traumapat]

I had exactly this a month ago. I thought it might be the heatshield on the CAT, but it turned out that the hanger on the mandrel bend (after the back box) had rotted through.

Betting my money on this hanger, common weakpoint.

i had this problem too. hangers not that brilliant at its job


also get a torch and have a lookie under to see if theres physical marks where the pipes been hitting somthing... tho yours sounds like a rattle more than knock.

often knocks where it goes over the rear beam

 

[J-Cupra]

I had exactly this a month ago. I thought it might be the heatshield on the CAT, but it turned out that the hanger on the mandrel bend (after the back box) had rotted through.

Betting my money on this hanger, common weakpoint.

That sounds like the problem! JmZ what did you have to do to get it fixed, was it just a case of getting a new hanger welded on?

 

[JmZ]

In my case the 'strap' part of the hanger that loops around the pipework was too far gone to weld.

It has (at present) a large metal hoop tying the pipework to the hanger, and so far it has proved cheap (exhaust place did it for free) and reliable (till next mot anyway!!).

Think large hoseclip I suppose, but with a nut and bolt to close it around both parts instead of a threaded screw to tighten it up.

A permanent solution, as others have said is new back box really, or welding if there is anything left to weld too, however given its proximity to the fuel tank, I am not sure everyone will be prepared to weld this....

if you are just out of warranty or stil have a bit left, try the dealer for a goodwill gesture?

 

[J-Cupra]

In my case the 'strap' part of the hanger that loops around the pipework was too far gone to weld.

It has (at present) a large metal hoop tying the pipework to the hanger, and so far it has proved cheap (exhaust place did it for free) and reliable (till next mot anyway!!).

Think large hoseclip I suppose, but with a nut and bolt to close it around both parts instead of a threaded screw to tighten it up.

A permanent solution, as others have said is new back box really, or welding if there is anything left to weld too, however given its proximity to the fuel tank, I am not sure everyone will be prepared to weld this....

if you are just out of warranty or stil have a bit left, try the dealer for a goodwill gesture?

Ahhhh Ok thanks for the info....I'll get it down an Exhaust place and get them to take a look. The car is 6months out of warranty now so I don't think Seat would bother with it.....So It will fail the MOT if I don't have something done about it?

Out of interest does anyone know how much the standard back box is? If it needs a new back box I might just use it as an excuse to upgrade to a full SS system.

 

[J-Cupra]

Hi! I got under my Cupra this evening and found out what was rattling around at the back

http://img46.imageshack.us/my.php?image=30102006059gl9.jpg

Does this look like the same bracket problems? Cheers........

 

[JmZ]

Yup. Thats the beast.

Regarding the MOT, not sure if it is a pass or a fail tbh. Not tried it myself yet, but I'm sure someone on here must know...

 

[J-Cupra]

I took it down to ATS this morning and the guy just took the bracket off and said that it wouldn't fail it's MOT without it.

I'm happy with that!! The only downside is that I now can't justify £300 on a Milltek Cat back! Thanks for your help.......

 

[Dodson]

Just buy one anyway if ya want one.

Who you justifying i too?