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MG MGF Technical - VW Beetle?????

Right, I finally fitted the new Flexi Pipe section on Friday. Old one wasnt completely buggered but it was buzzing a bit under acceleration.

New problem now though.....car sounds like a VW Beetle (old style).

I've read a few comments about this on SELOC but there's not much in the archives here about it. I've heard it'll go away after a few hundred miles as the inside of the pipe 'soots' up but it's very annoying!

Anyone have any experience of this? It's definitely not blowing anywhere. All the gaskets are fine etc.

Someone reassure me it'll go away as I'm tempted to put the old one back on!
Bob Millar

>All the gaskets are fine etc.

Are you sure! This is classic 15mm bolts on the exaust manifold are not tight enough. But the leak could be anywhere along the exaust.
Get a hose pipe, one end against your ear and use the other to locate the noise - my money is the 15mm bolts!
Will Munns

Bob, mine started making the VW noise a few weeks ago (or at least it became more noticeable) then the MOT man mentioned that the flexi was starting to blow. I followed Tony's advice and wrapped 3x 70mm stainless hose clips round it and lost most of the noise. Checked price of a new flexi and bought a TF instead.
JohnP

This is a brand spanking new flexi.

I checked all the joints with the engine running and couldnt find any leaks there. Took it as normal as I had read about it on SELOC. I'll stick it back on my ramps tonight and have another look!
Bob Millar

Have another listen!

If the gaskets are poorly fitting then exaust fitting paste is the way forwards (not exaust repair paste). It expands and hardens when it gets hot, but be aware that it might expand slightly inside as wellas outside, providing a slight lip which might lose you 1BHP if you have an otherwise deflashed exhaust system
Will Munns

What does the noise your refering to sound like? i have replaced the flexi front pipe and have a rattle or buzz every time i touch the accelerator.
Martin

> i have replaced the flexi front pipe

Where did you get the new flexipipe from?
Bob Millar

I got a new flexi pipe for my 98 VVC from B&G.It was fitted 2 weeks ago (done very little mileage since) I have noticed that there is a slight vibration / buzzing noise when cold which dissapears once the engine is warm (occurs as the revs are dying down). No gasket leaks but there was an extra bracket welded to the pipe thats sits very near to the heatshield thingy. Could it be this thats vibrating ?? (the exhaust note sounds the same as the old one...nothing like a VW)
Carl L

Sorry Carl but ...

Perhaps yours always sounded like a VW

At least I said sorry first!
JohnP

Now I'm a bit worried, I guess it depends on if you mean the old type beetle or one of the new ones.

If it's the old type then no, nothing like it !
Carl L

I've heard comments from the Elise crowd that the B&G has the (old) Beetle sound.

I sourced mine from eBay but I reckon it's just a leak somewhere. I had the dowpipe steady bracket on my old one but I didnt fit it to the new one but I'll stick that on as well and make sure everything is as tight as possible. I'll need a new 15mm socket though as I've only got a very short one or a very long one so I'll get something inbetween as even using the wiggle joint I cant get the longer socket cleanly on a couple of the nuts so they may not be as tight as they should be.
Bob Millar

Has anybody tried the MS SS Flexi? It looks to be the same price as the standard MGR pipe - but I've never bought either so I can only take Mike's word for that.
JohnP

Odd Bob! It wasn't sold because it made the car sound like an odd VW Beetle was it? Sorry, not very helpful! ;o)

I'd also be careful to check the gaskets as Will suggests - a leaking gasket does make a characteristic 'phut - phut' noise that could be the problem here?
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 13/04/2004 and 16/04/2004

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