19 replies to this topic

[Ouster]

Was driving along, heard a big "bang", almost like a stone being chucked at metal.
Put it down to a large stone being kicked up into the arches, carried on. Car did it again, and then started sounding like a tractor engine. Also I noticed that it was starting to misfire at higher revs so I babied it back home on minimum throttle. The car idles at constant revs but sounds terrible especially when I rev it.

Bit of a vague description, but what possible things am I looking at? My first thought was head gasket...but there was no smell of burning oil under the bonnet or white smoke. Obviously the noise I heard as something to do with it...but I don't know which parts to look at first!

Thanks.

[Jammy]

I'm saying you've broke the manifold.

[Ouster]

Likely to be inlet manifold, correct? I'll go have a gander for cracks in a minute.

[mr_apples]

exhaust manifold

are you running the standard cast one, likely to have snapped where the exhaust clamps to it

start it when its cool and feel for blowing with your hand

Edited by mr_apples, 13 June 2008 - 01:14 PM.

[Ouster]

Yes, standard exhaust manifold.
I'll try the blowing thing later.

Thanks!

[Jammy]

If you need another one, I have three in my garage which I was about to clear out. I'd be happy to send you one for the price of postage?

[Ouster]

It is indeed the manifold:


Thanks for the offer Jammy, but I'm going to use this as an excuse to finally fit a stage 1 kit.

One question remains: is it safe to drive for about 35 country miles? I realise the manifold creates a lot of heat and the fact that the exhaust gases aren't being taken away...but this is the place where all my tools currently are.

Edited by Ouster, 13 June 2008 - 03:47 PM.

[Jupitus]

Umm... I can't see very clearly, but has that rusted away at the flange, or is it just that you have lost this:



that would normally hold the manifold to the downpipe.... ?

[Jammy]

I'd say it should be ok to drive 35 miles, just drive with a passenger window open.

[Ouster]

It may have lost something when it decided to give up, but I thought that the bottom part had just seperated from the top part by force.

[Jupitus]

It may have lost something when it decided to give up, but I thought that the bottom part had just seperated from the top part by force.

No - on a standard system you should have one of those brackets holding the downpipe (ie top end of the exhaust system) to the manifold itself... that's fallen off, gone bump, and now you have, effectively, no exhaust system

by the way - I only used a minispares pic for ease - you can get those at any motor factors or exhaust place!

Edited by Jupitus, 13 June 2008 - 04:06 PM.

[Ouster]

Ah, I see - can't see your picture but that makes sense.
Can someone give me a link to the most suitable bracket please?

Edited by Ouster, 13 June 2008 - 06:31 PM.

[syholl]

You are missing one of these...

http://www.minispare....aspx?pid=38028

Not a patricularly good idea to drive it like it is, as the exhaust is no longer attached to the engine. And you can get a fine if a copper hears you...

[mr_apples]

check the flange is all there, on the manifold, just feel around it to check there is a lip all the way around

remember to put a bit of gum gum in the joint when you put it together (stuff in the squeezey tube)

i would also check the engine steady bushes, common cause of the exhaust/manifold problems as the engine rocks about.

and that the bracket is still fixed to the gearbox and downpipe


i think it would be fine to drive like that just take it steady, i drove mine 30mile when i broke a manifold before

[Ouster]

Managed to get some tools by begging some neighbours, and got around to fixing it today:


Which means I will no longer wake up everyone driving to my exams next week!