16 replies to this topic

[Jumpinjacks]

I bought a full RC40 exhaust from minispares a couple of weeks ago, fitted it but left the car on ramps as it was having the sills done. I have only just now started it and test where is it blowing, The joints blew a bit, but was solved with fire cement. Then I noticed that water was coming out of the seam on both of the boxes on the rear pipe, So it is obviously blowing from there. My question is do I ring mini spares and hope they will take it back as it is clearly a manufacturers fault or try and weld a bead along the seams? Which to be honest I shouldn't have to do. I need to get the mini ready for castle combe soon, and am rolling roading it after the exhaust is fitted so need it sorted asap

[Mini_Magic]

I would say to contact Mini Spares, I'm sure they'd be happy to give you an exhange/refund. They have a reputation for very good service. Could even PM Simon on here if you're unsure.

[Jumpinjacks]

I wasn't sure if they would take it back as it still has some fire cement on the end that joins onto the downpipe, but surely they would expect that, other than that it still looks brand new. It hasn't been driven, just started on ramps

[Sam14]

Send it back or ask simon from minispares on here

to be honest i doubt they will care about the cement because they really should just scrap it, wouldnt be worth there effort to try and fix it?

[Jumpinjacks]

Well, I sent it back yesterday with a letter describing the faults, and they phoned me today to say that this is normal for condensation to leak out of the seams, but will stop once the car has warmed up. Does anyone know much about this? Personally I saw it that if it can leak water then surely its blowing. So they are sending it back to be with me tomorrow. Otherwise I would of had to buy another exhaust from them and waited to see what the manufacturers said about the exhaust, and if they didn't find a fault then I would have paid for 2 exhaust's.

[AndyMiniMad.]

Mine blows like hell untill the exhaust gets hot...and no amount of fire cement makes any difference to it...but its not an RC 40 nor is it from Minispares so this post is basicly useless to you...Sorry...
I here that some of the racers actually expect the exhaust to blow a bit at the Y piece and dont even bother with the clamp but instead just use wire through the holes to hold it together. once the revs are up the blow goes away...

Edited by AndyMiniMad., 14 September 2011 - 02:18 PM.

[Jumpinjacks]

Its not from the join though, its from the seams on the boxes themselves

[AndyMiniMad.]

Its not from the join though, its from the seams on the boxes themselves

Then its not right....I would insist on a replacement part...But contact Simon of MiniSpares on here first and give them a chance to get it sorted amicably...They are one of (if not) the best supliers of spares in the world and there customer service is usually spot on.

[Jumpinjacks]

Too late for that, they are sending it back now, as otherwise I would have to buy a new one as said above

[AndyMiniMad.]

Maybe it is normal then to have a small amount of condensation around the seams untill the exhaust has been used at opperating temperature a few times. But I have to say mine (Maniflow) didnt do that.

[Jumpinjacks]

Well the way I looked at it when I complained is that if water comes out then there must be a gap/hole for it to come out, hence blowing. It doesn't do it unless you block the rear pipe to check for leaks

[Yoda]

You should not block the tail pipe to check for leaks! Thats just asking for trouble.

You will find a lot of exhaust boxes will show condensation leakage when new, as seams like these are rolled and not welded. Put it back on when it arrives and forget about it.

Have you ever seen an MOT tester stuff his hand over the end of the tail pipe? i very much doubt it.

[Jumpinjacks]

You should not block the tail pipe to check for leaks! Thats just asking for trouble.

You will find a lot of exhaust boxes will show condensation leakage when new, as seams like these are rolled and not welded. Put it back on when it arrives and forget about it.

Have you ever seen an MOT tester stuff his hand over the end of the tail pipe? i very much doubt it.

I have read thats the best way to test
http://www.theminifo...howtopic=160779

[AndyMiniMad.]

Ah so now you tell us!!... you have had your hand over the end of it. and it does not do it when you remove your hand............Well really!!

Edited by AndyMiniMad., 14 September 2011 - 03:38 PM.

[TfcIan]

Well the way I looked at it when I complained is that if water comes out then there must be a gap/hole for it to come out, hence blowing. It doesn't do it unless you block the rear pipe to check for leaks

You don't drive with your hand over the end of the exhaust though, so what's the problem? If I put my hand over the end of mine, it finds ways to escape through the joints, which personally I would say is better in the unlikely event that the tailpipe does get blocked. I'm not sure about your problem though, try contact mini spares again and make it clear that the problem isn't the joints.

Edited by TfcIan, 14 September 2011 - 03:40 PM.