172 phase 2 exhaust - flexi pipe - weakpoint?

[Andyl20]

I’m about to take collection of. 172 and the current owner has advised the cat is blowing a bit. Spoke to a local exhaust shop about getting a new sports cat made and fitted, and they advised that in their experience is usually the flexi pipe that goes vs the cat. Firstly I can’t seem to find a flexi pipe for sale for a 172 anywhere, but the shop also said it’s a really big job to change if needs doing as the subframe needs to come out. I just wanted to check if the flexi joints failing is in fact a common issue and if it is such a big job to change them. Cheerz

 

[Ol’ Tarby]

The 172 doesn't have a flexi

 

[Andyl20]

The 172 doesn't have a flexi

Thanks. Sounds like I’ve been mis-informed then. Does the cat bolt straight onto the downpipe then? Are there any common weak points that blow other than the cat in that area of the exhaust?

 

[hipwell]

Lol try another garage.

If the cat is blowing, either buy a decat pipe or buy a new cat, I bought a brand new one from cats2u for about 90 quid and it was fine.

If it's on the original exhaust, it could be blowing from anywhere though.

Fitting is not a big job, it's a bit fiddly on a 172 as the bolts from the cat to Mani aren't too easy to get at, but very doable.

I found the best method was a rachet with plenty of extentions and a universal joint from under the car, and then get somebody to hold a spanner on the bolts on the other side through the engine bay.

Half an hour tops.

Yeh the cat bolts straight to the manifold, then the centre section bolts straight to the cat

 

[Andyl20]

Lol try another garage.

If the cat is blowing, either buy a decat pipe or buy a new cat, I bought a brand new one from cats2u for about 90 quid and it was fine.

If it's on the original exhaust, it could be blowing from anywhere though.

Fitting is not a big job, it's a bit fiddly on a 172 as the bolts from the cat to Mani aren't too easy to get at, but very doable.

I found the best method was a rachet with plenty of extentions and a universal joint from under the car, and then get somebody to hold a spanner on the bolts on the other side through the engine bay.

Half an hour tops.

Yeh the cat bolts straight to the manifold, then the centre section bolts straight to the cat

thanks very much. Feel a bit more optimistic now. May even look at a sports cat. Any to consider other than the k-tec?

 

[Ol’ Tarby]

Thanks. Sounds like I’ve been mis-informed then. Does the cat bolt straight onto the downpipe then? Are there any common weak points that blow other than the cat in that area of the exhaust?

It's probably blowing from the fire doughnut gasket ring thing between manifold and cat

 

[hipwell]

thanks very much. Feel a bit more optimistic now. May even look at a sports cat. Any to consider other than the k-tec?

I wouldn't bother. They cost mega money for not much gain

 

[Andyl20]

It's probably blowing from the fire doughnut gasket ring thing between manifold and cat

Really helpful thanks. Assume this would be the kit I’d need to replace if so:

 

[Ol’ Tarby]

Really helpful thanks. Assume this would be the kit I’d need to replace if so:

View attachment 1456745

That's the one mate 👍

 

[Clio_fool]

Sounds like the exhaust place were thinking of the mk3. I wouldn't go there again 😂.