hey aren't exhausts fun.....

[mikey9]

Went out to replace gasket between the cast elbow and o/s manifold pipes with a new one.......guess what - blobs of rust (still with the shape of bolts and nuts) - not a chance (with my tools anyway) of shifting anything. Cant even get a socket on any of them.

Anyway the short story is - the exhaust doesn't appear to have any holes in the pipes and seems OK - just an inch long gap where this gasket used to be. I had noticed a loss of power recently and fuel consumption has risen by 10%ish - I guess this would be expected?

Bunged the hole with liberal application of "Firegum".
Started up - ok - warmed up for ten mins on petrol (bity cooler?) then over to LPG - warmed up some more - then off for a drive - no blowing - more power (quite noticeable as you haven't got a lot with a Hitop DG on LPG)

Questions. Anyone else tried temporary repairs with firegum type stuff?
If so how long can I expect it to last?

I think the only real solution is obviously a replacement exhaust - but I want it to be done by someone I am happy can remedy the damage if studs snap off. Can anyone suggest anyone in Inverness/Highlands used to working on old VW stuff.

Sorry for the long one

[redstar]

I did one on an old a/c of mine and it seemed to work ok, much better if you can get the roll that you wet first and then support onto the repair... then smooth over with the original paste. will do you for at least six months.... (i only did mine coz i couldn't get the exhaust off either)

[meggles]

Firegum. Ho hum.
I repaired the gasket on the silencer of my A/C with this stuff. Blew out within a couple of miles . Then I repeated the exercise but got a large Jubilee clip and tightened it up around the join, thereby holding the firegum in place. It's still there and still quiet(ish, it's an A/C!)
Hope this helps.

[mikey9]

Have managed 30m (miles not metres!) today without it blowing out - I may look at "helping it stay in" with a bandage/strapping tho!