I think my exhaust is broken...

[Mommers]

After taking the car for a drive this morning, she started making some backcrackling noises through the exhaust. I knew this was strange as it just had started doing this today. Luckly i was on my way back home and I took it easy while driving it. Suddenly a pop came from the front of the car and the engine became 100x louder with VERY loud back crackles when down changing/decelerating.

Came home to find out the exhaust pipe at the front of the engine had broken of completley.

Does it look like an expensive thing to fix? Comments/Suggestions?

Cheers..

[Brayden]

Looks completely rusted out to me. It could be sleeved and welded but chances are that the metal is so far gone that the welder would just blow holes in it.

I'd go for a new system personally, or if money is tight pick up something off a wrecked MB or Hatch.

[Mommers]

how much for a new system?

[Brayden]

$300+ depending on what you wanted.

[jono]

wow this is what exactly happened to me a while back!! same spot and all. it's damn loud isn't it? i got mine welded the first time it happened but only lasted a few months and cost me 70 bucks.

when i t ahappened again, what i did, for a temporary fix, got some exhaust cement, two hose clamps and a coke can.. it did the trick till i drove it to the exhaust shop

i got a 1.75 inch straight thru (from the original manifold) with resonator and rear muffler for $250.

all the best,

jono

[Mommers]

my god is it loud or what! on the way home i went past a divisional van... lol.. in goes the clutch!

Still undecided what to do.. im thinking getting a new system is the way to go.

I'll let ya's know.

[toy550]

I'm an exhaust fitter by trade, If you live in melbourne i can build you a whole new exhaust or just repair your one. you would be looking at anywhere from $40 fix your one or $250 for a whole new sports system or standart, depends what your after
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[mowog]

Mine broke in exactly the same place. I think if the bolts are loose it is more stressed.
I welded mine, but got a near brand new one later off a car I wrecked.
Sure is noisy though.
The rent for gas bottles is pretty exy but sometimes worth it.

[shavenyak]

Yep, same thing happened with my SS80 hatch - seems to be a bit of a weak spot on them... Started out as a crack which I patched up with one of those fabric wraps, but didn't really seal well since there was welding lumps all over the pipe - obviously from the same thing happening in the past. After a few carbon-monoxide induced headaches I patched it with more cement and a clamp/tie thing. It did the trick until it snapped completely (like yours).
Ended up getting a complete system off an '86/'87 alto which I thought would be sweet since it was in great nick - but little did I know, the systems and manifolds are a completely different shape to the '83 the one that I have.. grr.

Ended up chopping the old exhaust in half, using the new manifold and getting a welder to attach the joining sleeve/clamp to the old pipe. Bit of a headache but was pretty cheap all round.
In hindsight I probably should have spent a bit more for a nice new custom job, but yeah.. that will have to wait till this one packs it in.

[muzzytt]

most front wheel drive cars have flexi joints at the front to stop this from happening but these cars are so old now its normla for it to break...

mate if money is not tight just replace the whole system..