Exhaust problem advice needed - 1.4 Clio 2000

purplegrape

Hope someone can help as I am a minimally mechanically minded car-owner!

The exhaust on my Clio became noisy when driving so I took it to Kwik Fit for a look (It's Sunday, nowhere else is open!). The pipe that connects the catalytic converter and the exhaust has ripped, and they recommended replacing the convertor to rectify. For 192.90! :eek:

Can the part that's ripped be replaced rather than an entire new unit?

Thanks very much in advance!

cajef

First mistake was taking it to Kwik Fit, it is a wonder they did not tell you all your tyres, disc pads and disc's needed replacement at the same time, take it to good independent garage tomorrow and get a second and probably more accurate opinion.

hewhoisnotintheknow

take it to a small garage tomorrow, anything can be repaired, just depends whats most cost effective, both short and long term

michaelro

I'd take it somewhere else for a second opinion (Though considering QuickS**t it would be a first opinion )

DaveMacD

By ripped, do you mean the welds have failed? Can be quite a common problem with some exhausts, and can sometimes be re-welded. In any event, take it somewhere else

vaio

“Ripped” sort of suggests one of those braided flexible joints, if so then they are available as separated bolt in items

Edited to add:

Looking at the images on http://www.cats-direct-shop.co.uk/renault-catalytic-converter.php suggests it could well be a flexible joint and gives prices, depending on engine, of between £50 & £165 for the part. If yours is the expensive one then £190 doesn’t seem unreasonable, if yours is the £50 one then take it elsewhere

Edited again to add:

The prices above are for the cat complete with flexible joint as necessary. The joints are also available as a separate item at lower cost, from memory it was £5 or £10

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purplegrape

I think the chap in Kwikfit was so hungover this morning that he didn't even bother to check anything else on it!

Thanks so much for the replies - Vaio, from a diagram that the chap in Kwikfit showed me it may well be the flexible joint, so fingers crossed it's not something more costly -was already planning on selling it after Xmas, so bad timing all round really what with it being Xmas time and all.

Will be taking it to my local mechanic tomorrow morning to take a look-see. Thanks!