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MG MGF Technical - TF 160 Exhaust leaking - again!

Anyone had problems with the flexible section of the down pipe leaking? Mine was replaced at 6000 mls and the new one is now blowing at 6000 miles later. When it was replaced first time the technician said early F's had this problem but it was solved....

So, anyone else having problems or is it me being unlucky?

I guess it's either unlucky, exhaust quality or engine mountings?
Ian Walker

Fairly common, the front pipe / flexi-pipe is pretty vulnerable to damage under the car (it is one of the lowest points) and on a Trophy, which is lower than a normal F then i suppose the risk increases.

There was an issue with the movement of the engine damaging the flexible section on early cars and MGR came up with an additional strap to cure it, so in this regard your dealership is correct. However, the flexible section is made of internal concentric rings with a mesh outer covering and the rings inside can become corroded over time. Mike Satur does a stainless steel version which is IMO better, but given it's location under the car it is always going to be susceptible to damage.

Personally, i am on my fourth one!

If you want to know more, i wrote an article on how to replace it with a new one recently and it is in the current issue of MG World.

SF
http://sfforever.co.uk
Scarlet Fever


Lowered and (very) abused car with the bracket fitted early on in it's happy life. Now done 50k-ish miles.
Have only broken one flexi downpipe due to an 'off' at Donnington.

I wouldn't expect it to break at 6k miles. Twice.
Possibly indicative of a loose mount, no bracket, badly fitted bracket, badly fitted exhaust?

Scarlet: fourth? wow. :-)

P.
Paul Nothard

Ian
This seems incredible. My Trophy 160 is pretty much the same setup as your TF, yet my flexipipe is still going stong at almost 12k miles.
Should be under warranty (I would have thought) but there is obviously a root cause that needs repair.
However, out of interest, my roof is starting to go again like it did on my old Trophy!! Back to Browns we go!!
Paul
Paul

Agreed it is unlikey to have gone on it's own within that mileage. As a guide, i had covered just over 100,000 miles in Scarlet and i put the current flexi-pipe on at circa 97,000 miles. This means that each pipe lasted me roughly 33,000 miles (taking an average) which is in line with Paul's experiences (i.e. 2 pipes in 50K ish).

I suspect it is more down to accidental damage than a fault. Are there loads of speed pillows near you Ian? These things'll do it on a lowered F/TF (they are a personal bug-bear of mine!)

Lastly, i presume your Trophy is still under warrantee? Not sure how much a standard one is, but Mike's Stainless one is as follows:

>> Stainless steel down pipe. At last we have the down pipe back in production with a revised flexible section, which is the Achilles' heel with the standard design. The cost is less than the mild steel standard part and comes with a 3 year warranty at £138 (plus vat which makes it £162.15 add £8 pounds for UK carriage) <<

SF
Scarlet Fever

It isn't damaged form hitting speed bumps there are a few but not so high as to foul the exhaust. I suspect fitting or engine mountings being the cause. Anyway, I'll see how long this one lasts.
Ian Walker

This thread was discussed between 03/04/2003 and 09/04/2003

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