14 replies to this topic

[barber90]

i seem to have a problem with the clamp that clamps the downpipe on my exhaust to the pipe out of the manifold. it seems to come loose, from what im guessing is caused by viberation. this causes my exhaust to blow, dont sound to pretty. is there an exhaust pipe like the modern ones that are put onto the moderner cars that has a flexi pipe that would allow some sort of movement, that way the vibertaions wouldnt cause such a problme would they?

any help guys?

cheers

[Wil_h]

What exhaust and manifold do you have, standard?


There should be no problem with these failing like you say.

Are your engine steadies in good condition?
Do the exhaust hangers give plenty of movement for the exhaust?
Most importantly - Have you got the downpipe bracket fixed to the gearbox?

[sazal]

I have the same problem with mine

[barber90]

What exhaust and manifold do you have, standard?


There should be no problem with these failing like you say.

Are your engine steadies in good condition?
Do the exhaust hangers give plenty of movement for the exhaust?
Most importantly - Have you got the downpipe bracket fixed to the gearbox?

yeah all standard, absolutely nothing changed
engine steadies dont seem to be a problem (but will have a look when i get 5)
yeah that bracket is attached, had a look tuesday night to see if i could manouver it in any way to help, but couldnt think of anything.

[1984mini25]

The only successful way I’ve found of sealing this particular join is to clean both mating faces with course sandpaper, then smear a good amount of exhaust sealing paste on both surfaces, before using a jack under the down pipe section to press the two half’s together. Lastly a bit more paste on the two half’s of the clamp and making sure it’s done up FT (F***ing Tight), re-fit the strap to gearbox support and lower the jack.

[barber90]

The only successful way I’ve found of sealing this particular join is to clean both mating faces with course sandpaper, then smear a good amount of exhaust sealing paste on both surfaces, before using a jack under the down pipe section to press the two half’s together. Lastly a bit more paste on the two half’s of the clamp and making sure it’s done up FT (F***ing Tight), re-fit the strap to gearbox support and lower the jack.

did you take the manifold off to get at the end of the pipe any better or just manouver your arm into some dodgey angles and sand it that way?

i did do this bout 2 weeks ago but the jack was my little brother pushing the exhaust up!, sorted it for about a day, and was completemented on how quiet the little guy was, but then went bad again.

will defo try the jack and do it again the weekend tho mate

cheers

[1984mini25]

The only successful way I’ve found of sealing this particular join is to clean both mating faces with course sandpaper, then smear a good amount of exhaust sealing paste on both surfaces, before using a jack under the down pipe section to press the two half’s together. Lastly a bit more paste on the two half’s of the clamp and making sure it’s done up FT (F***ing Tight), re-fit the strap to gearbox support and lower the jack.

did you take the manifold off to get at the end of the pipe any better or just manouver your arm into some dodgey angles and sand it that way?

i did do this bout 2 weeks ago but the jack was my little brother pushing the exhaust up!, sorted it for about a day, and was completemented on how quiet the little guy was, but then went bad again.

will defo try the jack and do it again the weekend tho mate

cheers

Just dropped the down pipe down enough after removing the exhaust the gearbox strap, as I have skinny girly arms so most jobs for me on a mini are easy.

Still shouldn’t need to remove it though, as all you want is the remove any large debits that could cause the two surfaces not seat properly, so you’re not sanding it till the point you can see your face in it.

And the clamp you want is the one that “hinges” together, as it’s in two parts, preferably a good solid one and not one of the cheap flimsy new ones you can buy. And use a good/new bolt, washers and nut/nuts. You can’t use nyloc nuts on and exhaust system due the heat melting the nylon insert, so you can do one up FT and then “lock” the second nut up against it to stop the first from undoing it’s self.

[Pooky]

Been having this problem on our 25 as well. Some good advice here tho, I've been trying (and failing) to get a seal using the type of clamp that's in two parts with a nut and bolt on both sides. PITA to get to, taking the carb of only made it slightly easier.

[barber90]

took the thing off earlyer, got the exhaust nicely up on an axle stand then lowered the car into a position to have the exhaust nicely seated, little bit of exhaust putty to hold the fix, then the clamp, two piece clamp, new from a mini spares parts near me, looks decent, put a new bolt on, stripped the thread so put the old one in, its FT now see if the bugger comes off! i think the main problem was my bolt that held the lower down pipe to the gearbox, kept coming loose! now put a nylock nut on, well see how the little guy rolls! dont seem too bad soo far!

BUT...... theres always a butt!!!!!!!!!!!........ when i took my car up on a ramp earlyer, 2 poster (the one that has 2 arms coming in from either sidee, my front jacking pointrs BOTH went through now have some sizable holes in my floor, does anyone no how much this may cost me, or does anyone feel generous enough to help out on the cheap!! haaaa, well stressed earlyer!

cheers
andy

[germini30]

I made a flexi and welded it in place. Works a treat.

[germini30]

[1984mini25]

Been having this problem on our 25 as well. Some good advice here tho, I've been trying (and failing) to get a seal using the type of clamp that's in two parts with a nut and bolt on both sides. PITA to get to, taking the carb of only made it slightly easier.

The clamp you want to use is in two half’s, hinged at one and only has one bolt holding it together. Before you fit it in place smear a good layer of extra exhaust sealant paste on the two half’s, just to make sure it seals, as any excesses can always be wiped off once fitted.

[1984mini25]

I made a flexi and welded it in place. Works a treat.

But that’s all well and good for an aftermarket lcb exhaust manifold, but not for the STD cast iron manifold and peashooter exhaust system. The stand manifold join to the rest of the exhaust system is a flexible one, but because of this it’s also extremely prone to not sealing.

[sazal]

I made a flexi and welded it in place. Works a treat.

Ooo, this is a helpful piccy for me thank you!

Ive got a non standard exhaust and it keeps popping off at the y piece.

[1984mini25]

I made a flexi and welded it in place. Works a treat.

Ooo, this is a helpful piccy for me thank you!

Ive got a non standard exhaust and it keeps popping off at the y piece.

Personally I wouldn’t bother welding in a flex section to you exhaust as it won’t solve the problem of the y piece slipping off the manifold. The solution I would go for is to tack a weld on the y piece to manifold joins to hold it in place and stop it sliding off, and if you ever need to remove/replace the exhaust/manifold you could easily break the welds with a grinder.