Blowing Exhaust

[dirtbiker]

Hi all,

I've got a blowing exhaust on my 1.6S (16v). I'm pretty sure it's coming from the flexible section that runs under the engine bay (not got it up on ramps for a proper look yet though).

Haynes seems to suggest that the front section from the manifold down is one piece including the cat until it gets to the central silencer. Is there any way to replace the blowing section without having to buy a new cat?

Any idea on where to get parts for this from?

Cheers y'all

 

[dirtbiker]

Finally jacked it up to have a look and it is indeed the flexible section.

Quikfit quoted £158 for the front exhaust section, has anyone bought one for cheaper?!

Thinking I may have to take the section off and see if I can get someone to weld a repair on (not sure that my welding is up to the job, unfortunately).

Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[DannyC87]

If you cut the flexible section out, by a length of flexible exhaust pipe that is the correct diameter to fit over the original pipe(from a motorbike shop or similar) and then use exhaust clamps to attach it? should work?

 

[LEE69]

Try a motor factors they can get them for you.

 

[dirtbiker]

That's a good idea about putting in the flexible pipe. Will look into it!

Also will ring round motor-factors later today and see if I can get a more reasonable price.

Cheers guys!

 

[Cupra-Matt]

I had a similar problem to this, was the manifold on my 20vt, brother had a 1.4ibiza and the same problem. Worth a look?

 

[NickT]

This'll give you an idea:

https://www.leisureshack.co.uk/osb/showitem.cfm/Category/Leon-1.6i--16V-05-01-_14539

 

[dirtbiker]

Cheers for that Nick. Only thing is mine doesn't seem to have a flange joint where the downpipe meets the cat. Could be just me being an idiot though!

Got it booked in at a Formula One Autocentre to have it done, labour didn't seem horrific so I thought it'd be easier.

Hopefully not having a hole in the exhaust will turn my emissions warning light out!

 

[RUM4MO]

Try www.senioraftermarket.co.uk for a replacement repair flexi section and select the "toughest" one because that is what you will need that close to the manifold - they made and sell the complete range. I used one of them after a local exhaust builder sold and fitted the wrong sized section - then got him to do the job again!

 

[dirtbiker]

Well, somewhat unsurprisingly, Formula One didn't honour their quote as my exhaust is one piece from the manifold to after the cat (as supplied by Seat, I believe). The quote was changed from £135 to around £400 which is a bit steep!

Thanks for the heads up on Senior Aftermarket, do you remember how much you paid by any chance?

I'll be dropping the exhaust down when I get a chance to see what can be done. Not quite sure if I trust my welding so may have to get a flexible repair and some exhaust clamps on the job.

 

[RUM4MO]

I think that the flexi repair section only cost about £35 delivered. After giving this site a good examination - ie checking exactly where to do the measuring - O/D diameter of the exhaust after the flexi to get your referance diameter, measure the length of the flexi part only as indicated on the diagrams for the repair section, measure the overall diameter of the flexi - just for your own peace of mine (that was what I had not done to mine - so I had no real referance points to bargain with my fixer when he fitted the wrong sized part first time round!) - oh and remember to select the "top" grade one as I mentioned in the previous reply. Email them and ask for a quote to supply including p&p, they will reply quite quickly, send a cheque - and your flexi drop through your letter post (size permitting!!) in a padded bag. I quickly descided to fix my wife's Polo 9N 2002MY front section after VW told me that it was £350+vat (I think). Search the internet for a proper exhaust manufacturer - ie someone that can fabricate exhausts as they will have all the kit to do aproper job, by you supplying the correct high grade repair section, you will avoid the possibility of getting duff job first time round. The beauty of Senioraftermarket seems to be that you actually manufacture all sizes - so you don't end up compromising on the repair by getting just something that might sort of fit - in my case I ended up with an exhaust that was sealed, by boomed at certain rev ranges AND rattled off the crossmember - all due to a poor choice by the fixer first time round. I think that fitting cost about £60 second time (£95 first time when he supplied the repair section). Partco etc can supply general purpose flexi lengths but they are more suited to trucks etc when its only sealing the exhaust that is important - you don't want to end up with booming and/or rattling. It was someone on www.briskoda.net that put me onto this supplier.

To be honest, I'd leave the exhaust as is - maybe try to wrap some heat activated exhaust badage round it (wet it first) - ie from Halfords, Holts, and secure that using these nice SS tie wraps that Screwfix sell - I did that to avoid hot exhaust spraying out against things that might not like it - but it was not very successful - but better than nothing short term. If your exhaust set up is similar to the Polo9N/Ibiza6L there should not be any chance of the exhaust section falling down as it is quite well supported. If you are getting an expert to do the welding I'd leave them to descide where exactly to cut as you can't really work out when its dropped and chopped exactly what alignment is required for the sorted section to fit back on correctly. They will work out where to chop it, remove it > chop it > refit it and add in the repair section > tack it on > remove section > weld up > refit.

 

[RUM4MO]

If you cut the flexible section out, by a length of flexible exhaust pipe that is the correct diameter to fit over the original pipe(from a motorbike shop or similar) and then use exhaust clamps to attach it? should work?

I'm afraid that due to clearances from sump-crossmember-hangers etc this probably will not work and the heat is very high in this area - ie just post CAT1 - and once again very little room for clamps - welding is the only way to fix it. Remember these engines are allowed to move quite a lot to avoid noise and vibration being transmitted into the car body.

 

[maxxyibiza]

i have just been for my mk ibiza serviced.

i have also been told my flexi pipe is "blowing".
the man at NORTH EASTERN TYRES ADN EXHAUSTS told me it would be £79.00 for one replacing and fitting

 

[dirtbiker]

Thanks for that Chris, I managed to get this sorted back in January, resorted to buying a new downpipe with the flexible section and a seperate cat. All good now though.