Ford Focus exhaust.

MrPlantpot

Two years ago I had a new section of exhaust fitted from the manifold which was joined to the other section. Two days later the sections came apart and the garage admitted that they had fitted the wrong clamps. They took the car back and supposedly sorted out the problem....the next day the sections came apart again...back to the garage to be 'sorted'. Two years on and no further problems until the back box blew. I took the car into Kwik Fit to have a new back section fitted only to be told that they would have to fit an entire new exhaust system, including a new catalytic converter, due to the fact that the two sections had not only been clamped, but also welded together! The bill came to more than double the amount it would have done had the two sections not been welded.
My questions are, is this something that is often done or is it bad workmanship and would I have a case for compensation against the original garage that fitted the exhaust?

forgotmyname

You should have taken it back to the garage for them to sort.

Without seeing whats been joined to where it could be 6 of one and half a dozen of the other.

They may have welded 2 pieces together but i would not trust KF anyway.

Is the centre box and backbox one piece? Usually they can cut the rear pipe and the replacement fits ove it with a clamp. This is usually done where the original system is 1 piece and replacements come in several bits.

Idiophreak

I agree 100% with not trusting kf...could well be when they say "it's been welded" they mean "it's stuck". I'd take it back to the original garage for their diagnosis...

OddballJamie

Live local to the west midlands? There's an exhaust garage that specialises in exhausts in Walsall that will weld you a new back box on.

Muscle750

MIJ performance in Walsall can highly recommend them

MrPlantpot

Thanks for the replies..yes it has definitely been welded in two places between the catalytic converter and the centre box where the clamps are situated. I was shown by the guys at KF before they took it off...took photos as well. I couldn't see any way the two pieces could be separated without causing damage to the 'ok' section. I guess I will have to put it down to experience as the guy at the original garage basically wasn't interested. I can lose him quite a bit of business, but I don't suppose he will be too bothered!

EdGasket

Well if KF could have been bothered, they could have just cut through the pipe and clamped a sleeve over the join. Many Ford exhausts are fitted as one piece at the factory and you cannot replace a section without cutting it anyway so no big deal. Just find a decent garage who will do whats needed not what they want to do and want to sell you.

forgotmyname

I had a MK2 Mondeo and the exhaust went on that. The garage were shocked as it was about 8 years old and the original one.

It was in one piece which you cannot do without dropping the rear suspension. So the replacements come in sections.

forgotmyname

OddballJamie wrote: »

Live local to the west midlands? There's an exhaust garage that specialises in exhausts in Walsall that will weld you a new back box on.

Which one is that? Is it MIJ as mentioned in the post after yours?

bob_a_builder

"I took the car into Kwik Fit to have a new back section fitted only to be told that they would have to fit an entire new exhaust system, including a new catalytic converter, due to the fact that the two sections had not only been clamped, but also welded together! The bill came to more than double the amount "

Only Double the amount and it included a new catalytic converter !

I smell a rat

I'm sure KF keep a fuill range of CC in stock for just such eventualites !

forgotmyname

Bob your cynical They may have had to order one but can get it within 5 minutes

Unless its a universal one they weld on.. oops shhh