197 Exhaust Manifold Cracked!

[Reecey]

Just found out that my exhaust manifold has cracked! Is this a common problem? Because i could never imagine an exhaust manifold cracking? Especially one that's designed to be for the sports! It just suddenly happened the weekend! I wasn't expecting it or anything! Has anyone else had this problem??? :S

Also, i'm now going to be after a manifold, so if anyone has one for sale, let me know - Unless it can be welded if that's possible?

Reece

 

[bozothenutter]

manifolds can crack, usually if they are exposed to vibration, or cannot expand/contract (ie have been mounted wrongly)
Dunno if it is endemic to 197's though...wouldn't think so....

 

[sideways danny]

seen a lot of pictures of them, and a few up close. Where is it cracked? common places are around the welds at the head flange, and on the welds of the cat

it "should" be weldable, but without seeing it i can't make promises

 

[Fred@BTM]

pictures? i find that very hard to believe

 

[sideways danny]

that was posted on 197.net

 

[Fred@BTM]

blimey! not exactly cheap or easy to fix either!

 

[Reecey]

This is the problem! This is a picture of my manifold. As the picture above from 197.net, its exactly the same branch thats cracked, so there must be a problem there somewhere!. Just a poor welding job from renault lol!

 

[sideways danny]

looks like they've thinned the tube too much when they've shaped it to the port, then laid on a thick old bead of weld on. Weakest part of any join is always along the edge of the weld. 172 and 182 were much stronger.

That's weldable IMO, but I'd have it TIG'd rather than try and MIG over the crack

 

[lemonnobby]

i have heard of one crackingas well will have to watch out for it

 

[182michael]

Mine is the same as above. Renault quote (not under warranty apparently) £1200! Bargain

 

[chip boy]

sh*t, cant wait for this to happen then!!!

 

[Reecey]

Well im doing all the work myself and getting a mate to weld it up for free. Im gunna weld over the other branches and other places where the manifold has been welded up to make sure this problem never ever happens again! All im paying for is a new manifold gasket
Job is a real pain in the back to do though!!! Subframe off! Or engine out? You choose lol!

 

[Alastair.]

we have replaced 4 or 5 now but have been in warranty, pain in the arse to fit aswel.

Dont take the subframe off, just let it hang a bit. (whilst supported)

 

[Reecey]

Dont take the subframe off, just let it hang a bit. (whilst supported)

Yeah sorry thats what i should of said...its hanging at the moment lol! About 8 inches lower

 

[jonesyFX]

My mates cracked and he got quoted about 600 quid, might of been more! (from Renault)

He got one 2nd hand off a 197 with 26,000 miles for 160 quid and his mate whos a mechanic is fitting it, have a search around mate you may get a bargain

 

[Reecey]

The jobs done now mate. I took the manifold off myself and welded it up! Stuck about 3 welds over eachother! Will be extremly hard to crack now lol! The cars now running as good as it did