Exhaust woes - V6 Xantia

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 05 Dec 2006, 09:19

chaps.. i am scared...

In the last few days, I have noticed a noise when I go over 2 of the 5 ramps in my street.. I finally raised the car and had a look.. with suspension fully up the exhaust main rear silencer is about 6 inches off the ground.. with the car back at normal height, it is about 1 inch !

I haven't had the chance to look properly, I need my ramps for that (safety as well as visibility) - but I cant think why the whole system is so low

it seems to be secure enough.. any ideas, to calm me down? its near Christmas and it couldn't be a worse time for a car problem...

Recently I took the car to France, and it was well loaded, the problem seems to have happened since then...

John g

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 05 Dec 2006, 09:31

if its just the rear box which is that low,it sounds like the BX sindrom,usual thing is the rear hanger has come of or just unhooked,well on BXs that would be the case,or are you sure the customs put it all back together after checking for ilegal contraband,HE HE HE
regards malcolm

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » 05 Dec 2006, 10:05

If it has come unhooked it may be because some of the thick wire hangers on the exhaust or the body have bent slightly - and the rubbers shuffle off in use. You may be able to stabilise them with cable ties - my BX one got this treatment about 3 years ago - and still is OK.

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 05 Dec 2006, 10:09

chaps thanks.. took another look , system does seem solid.. the thing I can't help noticing is the down pipe is low and everything from there back is.

I wonder if

a/ The meeting between downpipe and manifold has come loose, (it doesnt sound bad, regarding the front of the system)

b/ the engine has somehow tilted

c/ dont know

Stewart(oily) · Post by **Stewart(oily)** » 05 Dec 2006, 10:36

Xantias have a steel crossmember back there which would not let the exhaust fall off completely, it sounds like the rubbers have come adrift, if its not roaring its head off it sounds like you may have a cheap fix.
Stewart

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 05 Dec 2006, 10:49

but how can the rear box be in right place, and the down pipe elbow be almost dragging on ground?

I think what i mean is it seems that the whole system is low, caused by a drop at the very front..

just panicking, one of those days.. will have a proper look tonight once i can get my stands under...

f00lzz · Post by **f00lzz** » 05 Dec 2006, 11:09

Why not pop to the local 'Kwik Fit' and let them have the hassle???

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 05 Dec 2006, 11:14

ok i had a third look

the seam weld along the cat is higher one side than other.. cat is twisted and that has caused the drop further back.. cat (and downpipe) are loose..

I (hope) one of the flange bolts is missing,,. otherwise...

hmmm..

J

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 05 Dec 2006, 13:43

i wouldnt go near a KRAP FIT SORRY(kwik s**t)unless you want to be ripped off,you will be beter off trying to find an indipendant exhaust shop,we have one in hastings which i send my customers to,they are very good and wont try selling you parts you dont really need
regards malcolm

f00lzz · Post by **f00lzz** » 05 Dec 2006, 20:38

I suppose each Kwik Fit/Area may be different... My local Kwik Fit is very obliging and if a simple fix, will never charge... speak as you find I say!!

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 06 Dec 2006, 01:10

excuse the pun

ok, moving away from kwik fit for a second...

i took a fourth look tonight.. under car with torch..
the downpipe is ok, still attached by the 2 'sprung' bolts.

The only thing I could find wrong is the Middle position silencer has a fracture where the exhaust pipe exits it.. i guess a 1-2 mm here will account for the whole system dropping a few inches !

It seems the this exhaust comprises the following:

downpipe to,
cat section, joined to
middle silencer,
more pipework to rear box
the only part of the WHOLE exhuast that is attached by rubber to the car is the back box.. so all of the weight of the exhaust is suspended... seems very wrong..? is there normally some central mounting?

John g

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 06 Dec 2006, 13:21

look on bossals web site as you can check all of the components with picys,and you can do an OE part number search
regards malcolm

Post by **RichardW** » 06 Dec 2006, 13:29

Extract from pr.net:

http://www.citroen-pr.net/catalogues/il ... 848400.gif

Hangers only on the back box - the pipe on my TD (just replaced) is the same. You might find the clamp has gone rusty and can no longer adequately clamp the pipe - I had the problem on a ZX - tried to tighten the clamp and it snapped in half![/url]

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 06 Dec 2006, 14:08

Thanks Rich.. yes seems a crap design, no support at all in the middle section. V6 exhaust is fairly chunky too, heavy..

I popped to my local independant-ish garage just now, got them to put on ramp and we could be see properly..

He quoted me £20 for cash to weld the fracture tomorrow, seems ok to me (for now)

I may get him to add a bracket and add a rubber support to that area of system.. may keep it together for longer...
J

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 06 Dec 2006, 14:10

thanks Malcolm too!

The garage chap said I would be looking at around £150 from Cat back.. for new pipe, i cant believe that.. will have a look where you said, now..

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Exhaust woes - V6 Xantia

Exhaust woes - V6 Xantia

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