VW Golf Mk3 Cracked Downpipe

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
View Threaded
Wed 26 Jul 2006 12:08
VW Golf Mk3 Cracked Downpipe - jimothy
Hi guys and girls

I have a very budget but very reliable 1994 1.4 Golf. Over the last month it has developed a rattle coming from underneath the front of the car - sounded 'exhaustey'. Took it down to my local garage and they diagnosed a cracked downpipe. They reckon about £75 for the part plus fitting and VAT. Does that sound reasonable? Would it be cheaper if I could source the part myself, and where might I get one?

Hope you can help.

J
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 26 Jul 2006 12:15
VW Golf Mk3 Cracked Downpipe - Peter D
Eurocarparts or German French and Swedish Mk111 1.8 £29.00 plus vat. Regards Peter
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 26 Jul 2006 12:36
VW Golf Mk3 Cracked Downpipe - jimothy
Thanks Peter. Though not sure I can see one for £29?!
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 26 Jul 2006 12:38
VW Golf Mk3 Cracked Downpipe - George Porge
There's usually a tin heat shield attached to the downpipe, this may be your problem as they tend to rot and rattle. Does the exhaust blow or sound like an old tank?
--
2 Dirty VW diesels and a Honda with an 18 inch blade
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 26 Jul 2006 12:41
VW Golf Mk3 Cracked Downpipe - bell boy
cheaper than a bag of chips in a posh restaurant ........
if you do it yourself get the appropiate gaskets......
if you are not 100% confident to do it yourself i suggest you get the boys to do it as you may shear the bolts and be worse off.....
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 26 Jul 2006 16:46
VW Golf Mk3 Cracked Downpipe - jimothy
Well its a sort of metallic noise - more like something is loose than anything else. However, the exhaust is sounding pretty 'throaty' too (again from under the engine - the rest of the system was only replaced a couple of years ago).

I think I'll go with the garage on this one - and price seems ok. It's a job that needs a ramp obviously and although I'm ok up to the three spanner jobs in the Haynes manaul I suspect this might be harder than that.

Thanks for the advice.

J
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 26 Jul 2006 17:51
VW Golf Mk3 Cracked Downpipe - landmarked
Could be one of the baffles gone in a silencer - same thing happened to my old Polo. Low milage / short journey cars are more prone to this as condesation collects in the system.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide

From choosing the right tyre to what to do when it goes wrong - we have the answers.

Tyre News And Advice