14 replies to this topic

[elgarra]

Mayfair 1275 SPI
1994
I'm getting ready for the MOT, but i've noticed that the braided covering on the exhaust flexi joint has shredded. (looks like it has been dragged over a rock) The internals looks fine, but it has been suggested that i'll need to change the downpipe.

My questions are:

Will the exhaust be fine for MOT if i clean up (ie, strip the braided covering off) the flexi joint?

If i must change it, do i need to change the downpipe, or can i just change the flexi joint? (I suspect i know the answer to his already )



Thanks in advance.

[Grayedout]

Don't think they will fail the MOT on it unless it is leaking.

[L400RAS]

Don't think they will fail the MOT on it unless it is leaking.

I agree. Mine has been frayey for 2 years now, all i did was push the gauze back into shape. As long as its not blowing , it will pass MOT.

Ryan.

[OJM]

When ours started shredding (94 1.3 SPI) it was blowing like a *woman of ill repute*. You can't replace the flexi joint (unless you cut it out and weld another one in), but changing the whole downpipe isn't a big job. However, DO NOT buy a downpipe from MiniSport - mine was 3" too long, cost me £50 to have cut down, and took about 12 months to get money back from MiniSport...£25 voucher...!

[elgarra]

Thanks for your replies.

It has shredded pretty badly, so much that i can see the internal spring.................Can it be wrapped?............I suspect not with exhaust bandage. Crispy bandage + flexi joint = even worse looking flexi joint.

I'm not sure if it's blowing out, although i suspect it may be a little.











I was planning to get a downpipe from Minisport......................I may reconsider, unless OJM's misfortune turns out to be a one-off mistake by Minisport.
Has anyone else bought a standard downpipe from them?..................Or recommendations of who sells them in the correct length.

[spiguy]

Thanks for your replies.

It has shredded pretty badly, so much that i can see the internal spring.................Can it be wrapped?............I suspect not with exhaust bandage. Crispy bandage + flexi joint = even worse looking flexi joint.

I'm not sure if it's blowing out, although i suspect it may be a little.


Don't worry about it. If you're concerned that there are hairy metal fibers sticking out everywhere from the braid, just trim them or something. As long as its not leaking it won't fail for the damaged braid.







I was planning to get a downpipe from Minisport......................I may reconsider, unless OJM's misfortune turns out to be a one-off mistake by Minisport.
Has anyone else bought a standard downpipe from them?..................Or recommendations of who sells them in the correct length.

[elgarra]

I like the "don't worry about it" part of that answer.. .................................and i just happened to buy a new pair of tin snips this morning.

[bmcecosse]

Test for leaking - with engine idling get mate to put hand over exhaust pipe end (wear a stout glove!) while you listen/feel below the car.

[998dave]

I'm sure you'll be fine.

Just so you know the bellow of the flexipipe are the bit that contains the gas.

The gauze type structure over the top is a kindoff protector with two jobs. Firstly it's there to keep stones and bit of metal that may puncture the bellows out, secondly it's there to stop the flex over extending, (leading to tearing and leakage).

As long as your exhaust rubber/silicon mounts are in good condition, and the engine doesn't rock around, you should get good life out of the flex, if the engine mounts/steady, or exhaust rubber mounts are knackered then flex life reduces dramatically.

Dave

[OJM]

Unfortunately I never saw the inner bellows, as they wore away as quickly as the wire mesh.

[bmcecosse]

Why does it need a 'bellows' ? Minis never used to have such complications !

[elgarra]

Unfortunately I never saw the inner bellows, as they wore away as quickly as the wire mesh.

Ah, the bellows would be the nice clean section i took to be a spring. (as i lay on the ground and peered at it in an unlit garage. )

I have a top engine steady that may need to go on now.

[elgarra]

Anyway, thanks for the advice folks. I'll be under the motor this weekend making a silk purse out of that pigs ear.

[GraemeC]

They also never used to have catalytic convertors, or many other technological/ecological advances.

This being a '94 car I guess it will have a cat - the bellows will reduce any engine movement being transferred to the cat and therefore its reasonably fragile core.

[elgarra]

They also never used to have catalytic convertors, or many other technological/ecological advances.

This being a '94 car I guess it will have a cat - the bellows will reduce any engine movement being transferred to the cat and therefore its reasonably fragile core.

It does have a cat..............for now.

It's reasonably fragile core will be in my bin at some point.