26 replies to this topic

[Owl_Eye]

The other day on the A47 my exhaust split in two where the silencers meets the cat. So now the exhaust is on the back seat. 

 

It's loud as hell but starts and has no power issues that I can tell. It's a 1999 Mini Balmoral.

 

The cat is actually pointed down because that's collapsed and is currently being held in place (sort of) by a ratchet strap attached to some chain which pull the cat up.

 

How bad is it to drive it around? I want to get it fixed immediately and my dad has ordered everything, but he lives in Cornwall and I in Peterborough. About a six hour drive. I've done serious miles before in the Mini and it never shows any signs of overheating when going 75 for a few hours, but is that different now I have no exhaust?

[Dan]

You'll permanently damage your hearing driving that far with no exhaust, I've done it for about half an hour a couple of times when exhausts have broken and it's horrific.

[Owl_Eye]

You'll permanently damage your hearing driving that far with no exhaust, I've done it for about half an hour a couple of times when exhausts have broken and it's horrific.

I was seriously going to get some ear defenders because it's that loud. 

 

But is it actually bad for the car? The exit fumes do point down so i'm not that concerned about it melting anything. But in terms of the engine, will it damage it?

[KernowCooper]

Got to effect the mpg as well. you'll get stopped for sure the first Police you come upon, and the exhaust gasses could set alight any underseal driving that distance, even if they are pointed down they will be drawn up.

Edited by KernowCooper, 05 November 2014 - 09:07 PM.

[HarrysMini]

Also bear in mind that the exhaust is now leaving the car right under where you sit. So you will be breathing in exhaust fumes which will make you tired and I can't imagine it's much good for you anyway. 

 

I drove about 250 miles with a blowing exhaust and it made me feel unwell for a couple of days..

 

Do you not have AA/RAC recovery that could get you to Cornwall?

[Dan]

I seriously wouldn't do this. Get an exhaust bandage from Halfords and temporarily fix it together. Fumes will get into the car, as said the Police will rake an interest. All round not a good idea.

[jamesquintin]

I got a migraine driving 2 miles home from the swimming pool after a speed bump in the car park ripped my exhaust off (The LCB had rusted through without my knowledge, or permission)
 

Also when I pulled out of the car park and used the engine breaking so slow down, it backfired like hell! (and not in a good way)

JQ

 

[timmy850]

I've used a piece of metal bent around the pipe with a couple of hose clamps to get the car going in the past...

[Owl_Eye]

I have been driving it to and from work this week, around ten miles a day. It doesn't drive any differently just loud. So other than fumes and noise, are there no problems? The bottom is waxed and I can't perceive it catching fire.

[alex-95]

joint i back together like this as timmy850 says.

[Owl_Eye]

The reason I can't join it back together is that the centre mounting point has rusted out, i'm driving down to weld a plate onto I can bolt the cat back on to the body.

 

But i'm loving the red bull can! Genius.

[Midas Mk1]

Seriously shouldn't run with a leaking exhaust. My cat leaked last year for a day, by the time I knew I was being sick, and it affected my asthma ALOT. Just don't do it.

[Burnard]

It will be fine. 

 

You wont set fire to anything under the car thats jut not realistic.

 

You might get a headache, you might feel tired, your ears will probably be ringing when you get there, but in real talk, you wont do the car any harm. 

 

Just be aware that if you do get pulled over, the police can do something about it (dont quote me on what)

 

 

I wish people on here would just answer the question asked and not other things. I think it is fairly safe to assume that this guy knows what happens when something is loud for a long time. give the him some respect and assume he has some common sense.

[AVV IT]

Limping your car a couple of miles home, or to a local garage is one thing, but planning a journey to the other side of the country like that would be ridiculous. I'd be surprised if you managed to get very far down the A1M before getting pulled over by the police, let alone the M5. When you inevitably did get pulled over, I doubt very much that plod would let you continue on your journey when you tell them that you've hot hundreds of miles to go.

At the end of the day it's only an exhaust, any local garage or even a tyre and exhaust centre should be able to sort it for you in about half an hour.

[Owl_Eye]

Limping your car a couple of miles home, or to a local garage is one thing, but planning a journey to the other side of the country like that would be ridiculous. I'd be surprised if you managed to get very far down the A1M before getting pulled over by the police, let alone the M5. When you inevitably did get pulled over, I doubt very much that plod would let you continue on your journey when you tell them that you've hot hundreds of miles to go.

At the end of the day it's only an exhaust, any local garage or even a tyre and exhaust centre should be able to sort it for you in about half an hour.

 

I understand what you're saying and I would agree with you if I had the means to do it cheaply myself.

 

I don't have ramps and I don't trust jacks ever since one of my friends got a disc pressed into his eye socket. His son found him screaming whilst being crushed into the ground with a disc pressed into his eye. He lost his eye and had some brain damage, it's horrendous.

 

It's not a quick fix either, the mounting point for the point between the cat and silencer has rusted through and so a plate will need to be welded before it can be reattached. But thanks for the comment.