Blown Head Gasket? - and other stuff

[Noblescort]

Just got my car back from its MOT; it failed! Apparently the emmisions were sky high and it has been suggested that this might be down to a head gasket. I had a quick look at it when I got it home not really expecting to find anything visible, but after having a look around I discovered that the front exhaust manifold is split (I wonder why the test station didn't spot this?).

So, with this and the other things I need to do it looks like I'll be busy this winter! I'm looking for a bit of help with this and......

1) Do I get stock manifolds (and will they split eventually too?) or do I get bespoke ones made?
2) The exhaust system could do with replacing, what are my choices?
3) Brake discs need replacing but the AP part numbers listed on the WIKI are not on the AP website. Have they been superseded?

Cheers guys

[TuxMan]

The new Noble manifolds are very good ! Nothing else on offer unless you get some bespoke made .
Jetstream Motorsport do both std disc and a uprated 350mm Alcon semi floating disc .
Exhaust options are .
Hayward and Scott
BCS
Piper / roush
Allunox

[Ian Perry]

What Tuxman said ,had mine changed a couple of months ago money well spent the new manifolds are so much better than the original chocolate ones.

[Noblescort]

Spoke to Matt at Jetstream today and have got my name on a couple of manifolds and a pair of front discs. Hopefully this'll help with the emissions and MOT. The only question is whether the head gasket's gone.

I think it'll be going to Jetstream to sort out.

Having committed to that lot, the new stainless exhaust might have to wait. Anyone know of a reasonable 2nd hand 3.0 system anywhere?

[TuxMan]

Noblescort said:

Spoke to Matt at Jetstream today and have got my name on a couple of manifolds and a pair of front discs. Hopefully this'll help with the emissions and MOT. The only question is whether the head gasket's gone.

I think it'll be going to Jetstream to sort out.

Having committed to that lot, the new stainless exhaust might have to wait. Anyone know of a reasonable 2nd hand 3.0 system anywhere?

Good stuff !! Jason on the Facebook page was selling a exhaust !!

[Ian Perry]

TuxMan said:

Noblescort said:

Spoke to Matt at Jetstream today and have got my name on a couple of manifolds and a pair of front discs. Hopefully this'll help with the emissions and MOT. The only question is whether the head gasket's gone.

I think it'll be going to Jetstream to sort out.

Having committed to that lot, the new stainless exhaust might have to wait. Anyone know of a reasonable 2nd hand 3.0 system anywhere?

Good stuff !! Jason on the Facebook page was selling a exhaust !!

I bought one off Jason in the summer so don't know if that's the same one .My old exhaust is at Jetstream unless they have binned it .There was a slight crack in it but now it's off would be easy to repair to tide you over .

[mgbond]

If putting new front discs then I would certainly change to the grooved ones that Jetstream sell rather than std.

I wouldn't have thought you would have a failed head gasket.

What ECU are you running?

[Noblescort]

Hi Martin,

There is no noticeable power loss, no excess pressure in header tank, and the temp sits normal. All of which says to me that it's not head gasket. But what do I know?.......

ECU is MBE

[Blu3R]

As Martin says it's unlikely to be a head gasket but not impossible. Do your usual old school checks of coolant level, HC in coolant, mayo under the oil cap and plumes of smoke on boost to test for head gasket failure. It's more likely that your cat(s) are the cause of emissions failure I'd have thought.
With the standard exhaust both banks are connected so it makes no difference which tailpipe they test from, but with nearly all aftermarket systems they are true dual systems so you can see differences between tails if there's an issue with only one side. Mine was reading high on the front bank last time but passed when testing the other, thus leading to a failed turbo gasket (although the noise from that area was a clear giveaway regardless!).

[cdhoole]

I had a similar problem at MOT due to a weak turbo seal but the tester kindly swapped over to the other bank which was okay! Generally they don't seem to be able to check very much as they will not open the clams or remove the floor etc.