Broken tail pipe

[salty]

Driving home last night down the winding roads of North London, when I suddenly heard a scraping noice. It turns out that one of the back pipes for my Cerbera exhaust has decided to break. It looks like the weld that joins the pipe to the back box has come off. Tried to remove it last night so I could drive home without causing anymore damage, but it seems to be partly stuck in the back box. I managed to rotate it round so it was stable and not scraping on the road to get me home, but couldn''t pull it completely out of the back box. What I was wondering is, if there is anywhere in North London that may be able to re-weld the pipe back on, rather than have to get a new back box. Thought I''d try to find an exhaust specialist, rather than go to the dealer. Very much doubt if "caught on several speedbumps, and shaken off by the cars vibrations" is covered in the warranty! Any pointers before I resort to the dealer and a long wait? Thanks, Paul

[paulc]

Salty, This happened to me twice in the space of a couple of months with my Cerbera. If you angle broken tailpipe correctly (can't remember at which angle though) and pull hard enough the pipe will come out of the back box. I found this out because I had to do it on the hard shoulder of the M1! According to my dealer the pipes cannot be re-welded to the rear box. Rather than getting a new rear box + pipes, some dealers can sell you used ones which they have replaced when fitting sports exhausts. Cost is about 50% of a new one.

[salty]

Paul, Do you remeber how much it cost? Find it a bit strange that it can't be welded, but I'm no mechanic. Thanks for the info. Paul

[paulc]

Seem to remember around the £200 mark, fitted from Fernhurst for a used one. If I remember correctly re-welding the pipe isn't strong enough to cope with the vibrations.

[AndrewD]

A new back box and shiny new pipes costs about £430. Just had Fernies fit some to mine...

[salty]

Hmmmm, maybe its time I had a sports exhaust installed. It can't be much more than that. Thanks

[salty]

Just found a company in Basildon named Hayward & Scott (www.haywardandscott.co.uk), who make their own stainless steel exhausts, and sound like they'll be able to re-weld the offending pipe back in place. The only worry I've got is if I'll do the bodywork, or anything else, any damage if I manage to remove the pipe thats hanging off. Anyone know? How long did you have to wait to get yours fixed Paul? The TVR Centre didn't have any in stock, and said it may take a few weeks to get a new one :-( Last thing I want to do is cause the engine any problems, especially as it is running quite well at the moment (or was). Paul

[AndrewD]

Sports exhaust makes me too loud for track days though!

[paulc]

Fernies sorted it as soon as I could get the car to them. They did have the parts in stock though. Why will it take the TVR centre a few weeks to get a new rear box. I thought most parts can be ordered from TVR on next day delivery? Removing the lose pipe shouldn't cause any damage to the body work or the engine (I'm not a mechanic, so don't quote me) It will however make the exhaust louder! Maybe it will lead you to getting a sports exhaust fitted?!

[AndrewD]

Paulc, you might have been lucky. I had to wait a couple of weeks before the factory sent one down to Fernies. Apparently there were a couple of other people waiting as well, maybe you got one of theirs?!

[salty]

Anyone know why this happens? Poor initial welding, or a tap on a speedbump followed by several weeks of vibrations? Edited by salty on Friday 1st June 08:15

[Dave_H]

quote:Anyone know why this happens? Poor initial welding, or a tap on a speedbump followed by several weeks of vibrations? Edited by salty on Friday 1st June 08:15

Most likely it's a weak point in the design of the exhaust at a place were there is vibration and stress from engine movement, I had the same on my MG,kept going though sports exhausts, in the end I made a skid/re-enforcement plate (trianglish shape) and welded it from the back box to the tailpipe,problem gone.