Exhaust - your help and ideas?

[scotth_uk]

Hi guys,

/rant on

the original exhaust on my W201 has now got a small hole in it, almost under the driver's seat. It's not making too much noise yet, but of course will turn into a trumpet shortly.

I am looking to find a place that will repair the pipe, rather than replace it. Back in Australia every man and his dog builds systems from scratch and is more than willing to sort you out with a repair. Here everyone want to sell me a replacement part too many pounds.

Does anyone know of a place that actually does exhaust 'work' rather than supply and fit?

I have called a lot of places around london today, and I cannot believe the number of places that don't actually have the gear and equipment for a minor repair.

/rant off

(/me misses my old exhaust specialist. Press bent cat back systems in 90 minutes - most cars around £100. Mandrel bent for a few dollars more.)

 

[jaymanek]

Dont go to the specialist exhaust places, go to the more backstreet repair places or MOT garages. There are plenty around...

 

[pluggers]

Have you tried a small sheet metal company? If you take the exhaust off then take it down to them they should be able to weld on a small plate.Thats what I used to do,very easy and used to charge them £10 maybe £15.

 

[Ian B Walker]

The problem with welding an exhaust (and I speak from 25 yrs experience) is that due to the heat input causes by welding you will change the molecular structure of the steel and make it weaker. Oxy Aceteylene burns at 3200 degrees C. Mig is supposed to be cooler but the temperature of the arc is 60000 degrees C. There is also the question of the material you want to patch it with. Some steels are not compatable with each other although can be joined by brazing. But once again his is only temprorary. I do think under the same circumstances I would invest in a new system, expensive yes but in the long term value for money.

With no disrespect to Plugger

 

[jaymanek]

Depends if your gonna keep the car mate, if your keeping the car for the foreseeable future, then invest in a new exhaust, and shop around, it wont be as much as you think.

If you can shell out the extra, then think about stainless steel.
I couldnt really spend so much last time i needed to change, so i bought a system from Euro Parts. Next time, i will spend an extra few hundred for s/steel and not have to worry about it again...

Jay

 

[scotth_uk]

Thanks for the info guys. Looks like I'll be sourcing new parts from one of the discounters.

so i bought a system from Euro Parts

Jay - Euro Parts or Euro Car Parts? I have found two separate places.

 

[joe]

Is anyone old enough to remember the assortment of Exhaust repair products......bandages....clamps etc, I was forever using fire cement on my V W Beetle Exhaust (times were hard in those days...lol)

Joe

 

[Ian B Walker]

God Joe, you do know how to make a guy feel old. I remember my youth, always seemed to have a tin of Gum Gum in my hand for my Capri.

 

[fuzzer]

Whats Gum Gum ?

 

[Simon]

It's goo you can use to patch up holes in your exhaust.

 

[scotth_uk]

Whats Gum Gum

That stuff is great. I remember using loads of the crap on my old beetle everytime a new stress crack would appear on the exhaust. Damn Monza exhausts!

Anyway, I dropped into Kwik Fit on the way home to see what the problem was on the hoist. Tiny crack at the rear - nothing that couldn't be repaired.

I asked if they would repair it, and the manager said no and wanted me to pay lots of money for the replacement parts. The guy who was looking after me said "stuff the boss, I'll patch it up with exhaust cement for you", and sent me on my way at no charge.

Yipee!

Entertainingly, I spoke to MB Canary Wharf after sales today and asked about pricing for the replacement parts - sit down, this is gonna hurt.

Front section was over £900 inc VAT, the middle just over £200 and the rear about £120. OMFG!