Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2013 13:58:39 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Paint job pricing-Doing the exhaust right!
In-Reply-To: <520B9205.2090908@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
The Cat on the inside should be clean. Part of its job is to burn off any
unburned hydrocarbons. The inlet side, especially on aftermarket Cats will
tend to burn out and erode. This erosion will go so far and the insert will
then break apart. As it is difficult to get to the bolts connecting the cat
to the muffler I just take them both out together. I then put it all back as
one. A long "wobble" extension and short sockets will make it easy to get
those bracket bolts tightened.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
JRodgers
Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2013 10:20 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Paint job pricing-Doing the exhaust right!
Dennis,
I've pretty much followed your instructions here. As for the CAT - I shook
it vigorously - nothing loose inside - though muffler was quite another
matter. Also, the Cat was much cleaner inside than I expected - it is after
all -15 years old. There were only a few specks of carbon on the plates. The
muffler was installed new along with the CAT. The input pipe and flange on
the muffler is what broke off. The fralnge support bracket was broken, the
weld where the pipe went in cracked completely around, and it broke loose
inside. There was a lot of loose crud inside because I could hear it
rattling around. But the muffler body itself was intact. Not burned through
anywhere. Obviously some vibrational issue was at hand - but after 15 years
- who knows. I have been careful on the realignment however, as it goes
together.
John
On 8/13/2013 10:56 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
> I have seen many exhaust systems have problems due to incorrect
> mounting and using the wrong parts. Part of craftsmanship is having
> the required resources such as tools, space, and good materials.
> You have to give some thought as to why your muffler failed at the inlet.
> Some combination of age, corrosion, heat etc. A contributing factor
> for this failure here is miss alignment to the cat causing stress and
> loose parts allowing for vibration movements.
>
> Where the brackets are connected to the engine mount you need good
> hardware here. Most important especially with the slotted holes in the
> bracket is the washers. Now since you got your hardware at local
> sources most likely the washers are garbage. Yes washers also come in
> grades. You want washers that are designed to be used with PC 10.9 or
> 12.9 fasteners. From experience you really want good fasteners here also.
> While corrosion is not as much of an issue where you live as it is
> here I have seen many bolts become one with the aluminum in that
> bracket. You want those fasteners to have some type of zinc or
> "organic" coating on them. Do not just relay on the black oxide types.
> An Anti-seize compound here can be you friend. While the bolts for the
> straps do not have to strong plating or stainless screws can also be
helpful in the future.
>
> Speaking of doing a good job since the muffler is off finish removing
> the catalyst and inspect it from both sides. Any looseness or
> burning-blocking of the guts means time for a new one. I've replaced
> many a muffler due to the cat breaking up and filling the muffler with the
pieces.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf Of JRodgers
> Sent: Tuesday, August 13, 2013 10:54 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Paint job pricing
>
> For that kind of money - I would do it myself. Might take a while -
> but it would be right what I finished. That's my biggest problem with
> the crafts - crappy workmanship. Dedication to the craft is minimal in
> most places. You can still find it -= but boy does it ever take some
digging.
> I've had to fix to many jobs that were plain crappy. Live through to
> many horror stories.
>
> Just like my muffler nightmare - my problem - but it's gonna be right
> when I'm done, no questions asked. The muffler will not fall out in the
street!
>
> I bet Jim is happy with his home paint job. He knows it's right.
>
> John
>
> On 8/13/2013 9:11 PM, Jason wrote:
>> I wouldn't expect much for under $3-4K in terms of quality.
>
>
| 
