Date: Thu, 6 Feb 2014 15:20:07 -0800
Reply-To: Neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Exhaust Bushing Inner Weave Premature Failure
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Hi all.
I know various popular Vanagon engine swaps use this type of part so I
assume it's ok to ask here. I installed this bushing:
http://www.dynomax.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/690x380/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/f/l/flexpipe_1_1_1.jpg
on my engine swap. (image of it installed):
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ozMqBRgLXD8/Ubu5n5CAFoI/AAAAAAAAHvU/P9YKIPdcSMI/s500/Exhaust%2520v3%25203.jpg
For various reasons, I knowingly installed the bushing so one end was
slightly cockeyed. Regardless....
Have any other folks had this part fail prematurely? Would the
cockeyed install cause it to wear prematurely? (I think the answer
is "yes") ;) Maybe this type of part is better? Image:
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/rx-first-generation/123665d1210187402-exhaust-flex-pipe-issues-pict0012.jpg
A campground mishap (below) caused the part to fail. Muffler Works on
hwy. 101 in Florence were great. They did good fairly priced work and
were patient with my many questions. I asked to see the old part
noting that about 1/3 of the inner weave was burned off (gone). This
after only about 6000 miles. The inner corrugated sleeve had obviously
been exposed to lots of heat so the slight bump to the exhaust caused
the bushing to crack. I wish I'd payed more attention to the part
installed. Not sure if it has the same type of construction, but it
looks the same.
Thanks,
Neil.
On a dark and stormy night, backing into a campground spot at Beverly
Beach state park, I nudged my tailpipe or muffler onto the cement stop
block.
Got myself over to Muffler Works in Florence who did a good and
affordable repair job.
I asked to see the failed flex bushing. The inner weave was burned off
(gone) on one side. The corrugated piece had cracked once I nudged the
exhaust system.
--
Neil n
Blog: tubaneil.blogspot.ca
'88 Westy http://tinyurl.com/c8rlw6p
'81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco" http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
Vanagon VAG *Gas* inline-VR Engine Swap Group:
http://tinyurl.com/d7gd5ej