Weird exhaust issue...

batz · 9th July 2014, 17:56

My 190 had a new exhaust fitted in 2012, before I owned it. It's an after market type and includes the cat. I bought the car 6 weeks ago, with a bit of a leak at the exhaust manifold. I had it repaired at a reputable exhaust specialist in St Albans who said, when they dismantled it, they found six gaskets between the cat and the rear down pipe flange. Seemed like overkill but it failed again after 3 weeks. Had it repaired again - failed after 8 days. Just had it done again and, already, I have my suspicions. Is this problem familiar to anyone? Worst thing, I suppose, is that I must replace the cat as being sub-standard but there may be more to it.

klarzy · 9th July 2014, 18:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by batz

My 190 had a new exhaust fitted in 2012, before I owned it. It's an after market type and includes the cat. I bought the car 6 weeks ago, with a bit of a leak at the exhaust manifold. I had it repaired at a reputable exhaust specialist in St Albans who said, when they dismantled it, they found six gaskets between the cat and the rear down pipe flange. Seemed like overkill but it failed again after 3 weeks. Had it repaired again - failed after 8 days. Just had it done again and, already, I have my suspicions. Is this problem familiar to anyone? Worst thing, I suppose, is that I must replace the cat as being sub-standard but there may be more to it.

Limited movement of the exhaust versus the engine?
Check exhaust mounts and engine mounts (especially the bottom one) as it may be allowing the lump to move too much and cracking the seal..

batz · 9th July 2014, 18:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by klarzy

Limited movement of the exhaust versus the engine?
Check exhaust mounts and engine mounts (especially the bottom one) as it may be allowing the lump to move too much and cracking the seal..

Sound advice! If it goes again, I will put it to them!

klarzy · 9th July 2014, 18:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by batz

Sound advice! If it goes again, I will put it to them!

or you could look at your lower engine mount now to see if it is knackered and replace it before you knacker the exhaust once more?

OddSox · 9th July 2014, 18:59

I take it your on about complicated MGZT exhausts\?...Are they vastly different to a standard 1.8. 75?...

Reason i ask being a yourkshireman i mend and repair as much as possible and have kept my current exhaust which is OEM going for 12 years. Last MOT..Slight corrosion on box..!

batz · 9th July 2014, 22:19

There are no symptoms of engine mount failure - no vibrations or clunking. The garage won't charge me to do it again but I'll have a look when I get a day off. (IF I get a day off!) Don't know about the back bit but, clearly, the front end must go to two manifolds instead of one.

rich17865 · 10th July 2014, 06:28

I fitted an aftermarket complete exhaust, I found that the whole thing was a little short. It needed welding together to get it to stay in the right shape and not knock. I also had to bend the brackets on the exhaust sections so they weren't pulling the rubbers in wild directions.

Maybe revisit how it has been fitted, plus as above, because the new exhaust is tight, worn engine mounts will crucify your exhaust.

Stag>75 · 10th July 2014, 07:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by batz

My 190 had a new exhaust fitted in 2012, before I owned it. It's an after market type and includes the cat. I bought the car 6 weeks ago, with a bit of a leak at the exhaust manifold. I had it repaired at a reputable exhaust specialist in St Albans who said, when they dismantled it, they found six gaskets between the cat and the rear down pipe flange. Seemed like overkill but it failed again after 3 weeks. Had it repaired again - failed after 8 days. Just had it done again and, already, I have my suspicions. Is this problem familiar to anyone? Worst thing, I suppose, is that I must replace the cat as being sub-standard but there may be more to it.

It's not clear from your post. Where is it continuing to fail? It is the actual join between the exhaust manifold and the engine pipe or further back?

batz · 10th July 2014, 17:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stag>75

It's not clear from your post. Where is it continuing to fail? It is the actual join between the exhaust manifold and the engine pipe or further back?

It's where the cat joins the exhaust manifold.

9th July 2014, 17:56	#1
batz Avid contributor MG ZT190 and MG ZT 160+ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Kensworth, Beds Posts: 168 Thanks: 2 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Weird exhaust issue... My 190 had a new exhaust fitted in 2012, before I owned it. It's an after market type and includes the cat. I bought the car 6 weeks ago, with a bit of a leak at the exhaust manifold. I had it repaired at a reputable exhaust specialist in St Albans who said, when they dismantled it, they found six gaskets between the cat and the rear down pipe flange. Seemed like overkill but it failed again after 3 weeks. Had it repaired again - failed after 8 days. Just had it done again and, already, I have my suspicions. Is this problem familiar to anyone? Worst thing, I suppose, is that I must replace the cat as being sub-standard but there may be more to it.

9th July 2014, 18:59	#5
OddSox Gets stuck in 2002. Rover 75 saloon club se. 1.8 vvc. Moonstone green. Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Dunno...Sat nav broke..! Somewhere in Yorks. Posts: 988 Thanks: 296 Thanked 233 Times in 160 Posts	I take it your on about complicated MGZT exhausts\?...Are they vastly different to a standard 1.8. 75?... Reason i ask being a yourkshireman i mend and repair as much as possible and have kept my current exhaust which is OEM going for 12 years. Last MOT..Slight corrosion on box..!

9th July 2014, 22:19	#6
batz Avid contributor MG ZT190 and MG ZT 160+ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Kensworth, Beds Posts: 168 Thanks: 2 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	There are no symptoms of engine mount failure - no vibrations or clunking. The garage won't charge me to do it again but I'll have a look when I get a day off. (IF I get a day off!) Don't know about the back bit but, clearly, the front end must go to two manifolds instead of one.

10th July 2014, 06:28	#7
rich17865 This is my second home Transit Connect Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Crewe Posts: 9,532 Thanks: 868 Thanked 1,619 Times in 1,095 Posts	I fitted an aftermarket complete exhaust, I found that the whole thing was a little short. It needed welding together to get it to stay in the right shape and not knock. I also had to bend the brackets on the exhaust sections so they weren't pulling the rubbers in wild directions. Maybe revisit how it has been fitted, plus as above, because the new exhaust is tight, worn engine mounts will crucify your exhaust.