(Lovely gorgeous mods, please move this to technical if you think it should be there)
Well... within 3 weeks of VW telling me there was a tiny hole in the back box (?) of Polo's exhaust, there's an almost continuous knocking coming from the exahust and I think it needs replacing/refitting/whatever. He is nearly 8 years old and has never had anything done to the exhaust so I'm not too stressed over it (even though this car seems to instinctively know just when I've got some spare cash it can use up!)
As you can see from above, I know nothing about exhausts, and can see a situation where someone talks me into having a whole new one when actually I only need one part of it (would that happen?). Can someone explain exhausts to me in simple terms please?
Also, where is best to take it? VW quoted over £200 at the time to replace back box and middle box (I think). Would it be best to take it to one of those speedy national exhaust chains?
And finally, how long does it take?
Thanks!
|
Find an independent VW specialist in your area and you will get a better job done for a cheaper price than at a main dealer. Rather than stick a pin in Yellow Pages, see if there's a VW spares shop locally; visit them and ask for their suggestions about local specialists.
Press the chosen specialists on exactly how much needs replacing and why; let them know that you are well aware of "your whole exhaust system needs replacing, modom" scams and that you are seeking other professional opinions too (well, you've started here and, although I'm an amateur, I'm sure some professionals will chip in). Indicate that if they do a good job then you will consider them for regular servicing work too.
At eight years old the whole exhaust system could do with a thorough check, although nothing more than the back box may need treatment. I believe back boxes are more vulnerable to deterioration than other components.
I don't think there's much to explain about exhaust systems, but I'll leave it to those who know better than I do anyway.
|
|
|
There is a lot of sense in having the whole thing replaced. Usually if one section has gone the rest is on its way. They tend to rust together so pulling one bit puts a lot of stress on the rest anyway. Sometimes of course the fault may be localised - a tiny hole that can just be plugged, or a rubber mount broken causing the pipe to bang against the body.
I'd take it to an exhaust fitting chain and ask to see it on the ramp and be shown what needs doing. Even knowing nothing about exhausts it should be obvious whether the whole thing is crumbling apart or not.
Takes about half an hour I'd say. If you intended keeping the car for a long time it might be worth investing in a stainless steel replacement. Otherwise I'd just go for the cheapest.
|
PG
Doesn't sound like your exhaust is holed - this causes a very rough throaty roar. The knocking is more likely to be a failed mounting. As Cliff said, take it along to one of exhaust specialists (National tyre promise to beat any other quote, so if there's one near I'd go there!) and ask them to put it on the ramp and have a look at it - and show you what needs doing.
Some surface rust is normal, heavy rusting means it is near the end of its life (if it really is 8 years old on a petrol car it is doing very well!). Black spots (or big patches!) signify a leak and replacement will be necessary. I think you will find a hanger has fallen off, or a rubber mount has broken causing the exhaust to bang against the body work. If the exhuast is not too bad, it might be possible to weld the hanger back on, but if the exhuast is nearly shot anyway they'll probably advise replacing it anway.
--
RichardW
Is it illogical? It must be Citroen....
|
You have done very well to get eight years from the original exhaust. The clunk you have could be a broken clamp as suggested or loose baffles inside the silencer.
What you should get depends on how long you want to keep the car. You will find exhausts with a warranty of two three or four years depending on where you go and I have found that they tend not to last that long after the warranty period. Some stainless steel systems have a warranty for as long as you have the car. The more you pay the better the quality but it's not worth paying too much if you are not keeping the car.
|
Thanks all - it's all fixed!
The back box bit had come out of the middle box bit, and both parts had split... bit of a mess really!! The guy was astounded that it was the original exhaust but even showed me the original VW stamps on it.
All in all a fantastic service from Kwikfit, in half an hour and only £67!
|
|
|
|
