Club 80-90 Forums

Hi, I have a 1.9DG water cooled F reg camper hightop (89?) which has dropped it's tail pipe on the road thanks to a rusty silenser. Having looked more closely at the exhaust it has a pre 85 system (2 pairs of inlets) rather than the post 85 (single inlet) I expected. Is this okay? Will it effect the performance of the engine? The engine appears to be original and I can't see that the vehicle has had an engine swap at any time, so has one of the previous owners put the (slightly) cheaper exhaust system on in the past?

Any guidance or info would be good as I want to replace the silenser - which doesn't silence - but concerned that I should replace the whole shebang...

No it makes little difference apart from the wallet and noise. The later system is a lot quieter.
I fitted the late system on.. and now will probably return to the early system ... but in stainless.

the tinwear box shroud and silencer carriers, that the late system needs would have to be added to your engine to go late.

Hi Willard,

I've got the same set up on my 1986 DG1900 and asked a similar question on here some time ago.

I got various answers:

Some said it made no difference. Others mentioned it reduces power as later silencer is larger than seem'd oval pre 1985 type. It was even mentioned that running the older type system without silencer carriers could cause premature waterjacket failure due to unsupported weight

All I know is I've covered 17K over two years and all looks fine to me. I'll admit though the silencer is a weight to bear without support. So still not sure what to do if replacement is needed?

Sound ace though

maxstu wrote: It was even mentioned that running the older type system without silencer carriers could cause premature waterjacket failure due to unsupported weight

Interesting (esp as this is my situation) - anyone like to add comment re this ?

E D I T = I mean I do not have support brackets, my system, heads and water jackets are fine (touches wood).

iirc the Haynes shows some supports fitted to the early system, anyone using them ?

.

Cheers for all the replies. Looks like the cheaper earlier option it is then with possibly a modified support of some sort to help carry the weight - s/s cable and clearts would do the trick.

maxstu, sounds more air cooled at the moment due to the exit hole in the silensor, so any silenser is better than none. It's fine on the open road, but a tad noisy and inconvenient first thing in morning on narrow streets and pulling up outside the office. Don't sound bad though!

As for power, it's not like it was ever a F1 car off the grid....but still beats my mates T4 deisel.

Hi Ghost,

Interesting (esp as this is my situation) - anyone like to add comment re this ?

Are you saying your cylinder heads have failed due to unsupported weight of old skool exhaust & silencer Oh bugger

Hi Willard,

I've seen a local guy running his T25 with old type silencer and support hangers. He has ground off the seams to make 'em fit. Personally I think that could end in a fracture somewhere. There's a fair amount of movement with this cylinder configuration. Especially when engine is cold. Seems like a no win situation?

How does it work with post 85 system then? Is there a flexi joint somewhere?

ghost123uk wrote: Interesting (esp as this is my situation) - anyone like to add comment re this ?

Would VW have spent the money on the development if they didn't consider it neccesary or recognised that there was an issue ?

Nah.

Ian.

maxstu wrote:Hi Ghost,

Interesting (esp as this is my situation) - anyone like to add comment re this ?

Are you saying your cylinder heads have failed due to unsupported weight of old skool exhaust & silencer Oh bugger

NO NO - Mine is fine ( touches wood ) - I just meant mine does not have the long support brackets I have seen in the Haynes diagram of the exhaust system. Many (most?) early systems I have seen do not have these supports fitted.

maxstu wrote:I've seen a local guy running his T25 with old type silencer and support hangers. He has ground off the seams to make 'em fit. Personally I think that could end in a fracture somewhere. There's a fair amount of movement with this cylinder configuration. Especially when engine is cold. Seems like a no win situation? - How does it work with post 85 system then? Is there a flexi joint somewhere?

Those later type of brackets that wrap around the silencer are different to the ones on the early system, which are more like long(ish) tie rods.

Either way, the exhaust system is bolted to the engine and the moving bit of the engine cross member, so the whole lot moves in unison with the engine, no need for flexi pipes.

That's good news then.

Ian, as usual, you are the virtuoso of sagacity

True they wouldn't waste dev. money or time unless necessary. Most industries cover the smallest issue or concerns "just in case",almost to a point of overkill these days.

I think I might take a precautionary measure and fit something to support silencer. Afterall it's a bloody hefty bit of rusty metal to have swinging about yer transom

Cheers

maxstu wrote: Ian, as usual, you are the virtuoso of sagacity

No I'm not .... I'm a Pisces

Ian