Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[stevejones]

My first proper post! My 1999 2.5 V6 has developed a problem with the 2 x 3" rubber pipes at the front of the engine (part of the emissions system). The connect to either end of a brass (?) pipe running side to side across the front, and they have both melted and split twice recently.

I've checked on my non return valve by sucking and blowing and it appears to be OK. Therefore the cats may have a blockage? I hope so, cos I've just given up trying to take my exhaust apart and took it round to Kwik Fit for 2 new cats - £360 fitted. I know that's a lot compared to buying my own, but I just don't have the tools / skill / pit.

As a matter of interest, I fitted 2 new rubber pipes this am, and when I got to kwikfit the were roasting hot - no wonder they spilt. Would I expect them to run cool if the blockage is relieved by the new cats> Anyone help please?

Steve

[Paul M]

Hello and welcome

Sounds like the secondary air injection system, and yes you're correct they shouldn't get hot if everything is working OK as the only purpose is to supply air to the exhaust manifolds to allow combustion of unburnt fuel from cold, allowing the cats to heat up quicker.

As you've already checked the one-way valve then a blockage seems the most likely cause in my limited knowledge of this system. Assuming it was the cats you should have solved it, so keep checking to make sure they're not getting hot again.

To be honest the system is not really necessary and can be blanked off, but in my opinion you're better off solving the problem at the source. If it does come back the next thing I'd check would be the rest of the exhaust system if it hasn't been replaced recently.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Blocked exhaust it is....forget the one way valve....it does not cause these symptoms.

Once the olds cats are removed, the Kwik Shat guys would do well to test them by blowing through them as it may well be the centre sections of the exhaust.....V6 cats are generaly very reliable but, its easy to check once they are removed..

If you were doing it yourself I would have recommended removing the cats and checking them by blowing through them and if they were faulty, get some good second hand ones as the aftermarket ones are pretty poor.

[Admin]

Yes, if you are fortunate, it is blocked centre section (or both).

When replacing exhaust, DO NOT go to Kw*k F*t or anywhere else like that!
Get a genuine GM system. It may not be as cheap, but it is soooo much better quality, and so much quieter!

Genuine system is £250 ish on trade club. Where in the country are you?

[stevejones]

Thanx for all the useful replies. To answer the question, I'm in Wigan, near MCr, but I think I've kinda burned my bridges 'cos the nice man at the exhaust place has phoned to say he thinks only the driver's side cat appears faulty, so he's changing that one and charging 50%. Sounds fair? He also commented that he found a 'lot of water' in the mid section on the driver's side, but to be fair I've not given the car a good run for a while now, what with the exploding pipes and all....

Crossing my fingers for when I get the car back tomorrow, and I will be checking to see if the rubber pipes run cooler!

Thanks again for all help.

[stevejones]

Aarrgghhh! Whilst trying to fit the new driver's side cat, the garage has damaged the centre section! Says he'll do me a favour and giveit me at a reduced price. But then he can't get the part until after the Bank Hol, so no car for work on Tuesday...
Laugh or cry?

[Admin]

He breaks it... he fixes it!  

Reduced bl**dy price!!

This is why I have such a low opinion of garages.....

[jonathanh]

Really?  Damaged middle section?  If I were you I would ask to see the damage to the centre section and ask how he did it.  
The centre section mounts to the cats by two bolts.  These go into the cat pipes.  The only problem that can occur in this area is that these bolt seize.  If this happens then they can be cut off with an angle grinder - none of this should damage the centre section.  

[cdx25]

Really?  Damaged middle section?  If I were you I would ask to see the damage to the centre section and ask how he did it.  
The centre section mounts to the cats by two bolts.  These go into the cat pipes.  The only problem that can occur in this area is that these bolt seize.  If this happens then they can be cut off with an angle grinder - none of this should damage the centre section.  

Check the centre section for signs of angle grinder damage??

[JasonH]

In theory separating the cat from the centre section is two bolts.....but in my experience if the exhaust system is old it doesn't take much tugging or wiggling to finish off a rotten pipe to box joint.

Worth asking to see the old part though.

[stevejones]

Call me pathetic but I'll be so glad if my pipes stop exploding and to get my Omega back into action, I think I'd forgive him if he left a sh*t on the driver's seat! I hear what you say, and I know we shouldn't accept poor service from garages, but I am always just glad to get outta there. Believe me, I count myself as a 'professional complainer', and I would never accept poor services elsewhere, but my experience of garages has always been depressing.

I will now stand back and prepare myself for harsh criticism.....

[Ronald_McBurger]

No harsh critisim here mate! We are all friendly.

By the way, if you pop into BOOTS ask them for a 'garage consumer pack'. This comprises one insutrial size tube of KY Jelly and some knee pads, so when you go back to any garage they can bend you over and shove it up your jackside. Kit also includes a one way ticket to the ATM machine and a bucket for all the cash for the garage.

I have not use these kits myself as I tend to say 'hang on a minute, you did what?'

ALSO. When they have finished the cats, ask for the old part as I presume they haven't quoted you as 'exchange' units have they? Good, they are worth at least £70 in scrap. Trust me, I take them to the scrappie all the time.

So what is it going to be? KY Jelly or tell the spanner monkey his mother sucks?

[stevejones]

I'm excited!! Just picked up my lovely Omega at last from the garage. It had a very throaty rasp that it didn't have before, and the guy (to be fair) got it back on the ramps to check it. He pointed out that my back box is stainless steel (good news!) but it's non std (not another problem....) and the new middle section had had to be chopped about a foot shorter to mate with it. He said, in a Monty Python parrot sketch way, that " the new bits need to carbon up and seal the joints - they all sound louder for the first month".

Anyhow, he fiddled around a bit and the noise is acceptable, but I've warned him I'm not accepting anything I'm not happy with for the money I've spent. So I can go back if it doesn't hush up a bit.

The good news is I've given a bit of a blast and it runs smooth, AND MY 2 RUBBER PIPES ARE NOT GETTING HOT ANY MORE!!!!!!!

I love my Omega!  

[Kevin Wood]

The factor parts that exhaust depots fit are never as refined as the OEM parts that are fitted from new, and the story about the carbon build up is just recounted to get rid of you until you've forgotten how quiet it was before, IMHO. I've never noticed an exhaust quieting down with use. They're either lovely from new or terrible.

Give it a run at a good range of speeds and make sure you're happy with the noise, and if not, take it back. I had a cheap exhaust on my last tin top and it resonated something chronic at my normal motorway cruising speed.

Still, glad you've got the problem sorted.

Kevin

[stevejones]

I agree entirely Kev. I've pre-warned the garage that I will not accept a cr*p job, so it WILL go back if not right. I must say, having driven it again this eve, the noise is noticeably loud on acceleration. See how it goes...