Need new exhaust - quickly

[Parrot of Doom]

This is why my exhaust has been rattling the past week or two:

It gave way today on the motorway, was nice and quiet before (I thought the rattle was a heatshield or bracket), now it sounds horribly throaty and noisy.

I have a job on Saturday, which leaves me tomorrow to try and get it fixed, otherwise I'll have to drive with it like that on Saturday. Not a major problem, but annoying all the same.

Can anybody recommend somewhere in the NW that I can get a new exhaust from stock they hold on the premises? Its the cat and that entire pipe, can't get them separately.

 

[a6jus]

I hope it's not as expensive as mine has turned out to be!

 

[Blobcat]

Hi Parrot,
Is there enough 'pipe' on both sides to wrap a sheet of tin around, with a bit of exhaust gasket inside and two large jubilee clips. If so the 'fix' will last quite a while.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

I doubt it, the bit thats broken is the seam between the pipe and the bottom of the cat, which is cone-shaped.

 

[Blobcat]

As the steel looks good either side, could you drop it and see if it could be welded up. May have to build a small spacer to keep the lenght the same, but it would be worth a go. No aftermarket exhaust will be as good as the original MB one.
Is there a natural joint of would you need the cat as well?

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Actually Blobcat, I think your original suggestion will work. There isn't quite enough to get a decent grip, but I reckon I can bodge it together for the weekend with a lot of exhaust tape and a big clip

It depends on if I can get an exhaust for tomorrow. If not, I'll bodge it!

The worry about welding the seam back together is that there is very little metal 'pipe' on the bottom of the cat to fix to. I'd be worried that after a few months, what with engine vibration and twisting, it'd just go again. What you can see in the picture is the small part of the cone that the base of the cat forms.

Bad design really, they should have put the seam a few inches further down

 

[G MAN]

Dronsfields worth a shout?http://www.dronsfields.com/

 

[rajinder_1]

You can always try KMS or EUROCAR PARTS they usually have stuff in stock ah and German and Swedish if you didnt fancy paying MB Stealer prices

 

[Parrot of Doom]

£350 from ECP

Oh well, the job on Saturday will pay for it if I buy it from them. Hopefully I can source another one without the cat.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

http://www.mercedes-benz-parts.co.u...5 - 2002&Model=E300TD&Category=Exhaust System

Bit cheaper there. I'm VAT registered so thats no problem.

I wonder, would the ECP exhaust be the same unit, or a copy?

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Right, currently its held together with exhaust tape, wire, and a DIY clamp. Should be ok for light motoring provided the turbo isn't used too much.

Found an estate being broken not too far from here, going to buy the replacement section off that guy, can't complain at £65

Will probably have the old one repaired, you never know.

 

[Blobcat]

Excellent, don't forget to photo and post it.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Gah. £330 + VAT for a new exhaust. Had to bite the bullet and buy a new one. Arrives tomorrow, we're going to fit it next week.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Hooray! We fitted it today and the car is now deathly silent

Its not a difficult job really, just a big pair of grips to undo/fasten the clamp at the front, and a bit of elbow grease to separate the old pipes. We took the entire system off, it was easier that way.

The old pipe is shot if I'm honest, there were major holes around the bracket on the pipe as well, so I think its best to chuck it.

 

[Coulsdon Eagle]

i posted a thread about the cost of a cat for my Vito, managed to get the full system from here

http://www.exhaustdirect.co.uk/

£270 +vat, and free delivery

should be arriving tomorrow, will let you know what it's quality is like

 

[Parrot of Doom]

If you're fitting it yourself, make sure once its in place that you leave the car standing, with the engine running, for a good 20 minutes. Helps the sealant cure at the junction of the pipes in the middle of the car, and also helps bond the cat against the walls.

 

[Coulsdon Eagle]

mine arrived today, looks ok, having it fitted at ATS tomorrow, and hopefully i will be picking it up tomorrow evening, report to follow