Exhaust advice please...

[V12Pete]

Hi, I'm a noob here, I have a 1993 5.3 which is my first Jag.

I'm generally happy with the car except for yesterday when I encountered an exhaust problem. Initially I found what I thought to be string hanging from the Nearside tailpipe and though some local prankster might be at large. I proceeded to remove the string which turned out to be a couple of metres long so I concluded that this must be part of the back box's muffling material. On further examination I found that the rear box is in fact only held on at the rearmost mount having rotted through the adjoining pipe. Needless to say I removed the back box for safety reasons.

So, it would appear that I need to replace both the rear silencer and the adjoining pipe. Looking at various schematics on the internet that are various mild steel parts and the next pipe I believe is known as the 'over axle' pipe which joins to the the middle silencer via a triangular flange. However, on my XJS there is no such flange and it goes straight to the middle box. I can only presume it's the original exhaust which is feasible for its 88k miles.

So, what to do? I don't really want to spend four figures on a new system. However if replacing stock parts will cost silly money I will consider spending a little extra. I'm in Essex so perhaps someone can recommend a decent exhaust shop?

Any advice great fully received and in the meantime I shall enjoy actually sounding like a V12 (well, one bank of it anyhow)!

Thanks,

Pete.

[ptjs1]

Pete,

Welcome to the club and also the Bulletin Board!

I'm slightly confused by your description of the pipes. As far as I know, all the late v12s, 5.3 & 6.0 use separate over-axle pipes, not integral to the intermediate pipes.

I do think there was a change at the 6.0 introduction when they moved from using olives (+ triangular flanges) and changed to using slip-joints. You've mentioned that you've got a 1993 5.3. Most 1993s are 6.0 cars. Perhaps Jaguar changed over to slip-joints for the last 5.3s? Are you sure there is no join between the over-axle pipe and the intermediate silencer? Maybe you could post a photo so we can see what you've got?

As I said, welcome to the club. When you've got a moment, do please remember to update your membership record with your car details.

Cheers

Paul

[V12Pete]

Hi Paul, thanks for the response. Just been under the car again (as far as I can without jacking it) and yes, this appears to be a 'slip joint' as you say, there is movement for and aft of the rear pipe into the silencer. My apologies, I owned a V8 SD1 before and put a stainless system on it, everything clamped and bolted together so that's what I'm used to...have not seen a 'slip joint' before!

[ptjs1]

Gald to be of help! Slip-joints are quite common, especially on our Jags, although they can be a pig to undo! Make sure you really clean up the intermediate silencer join before refitting to make it easier to undo next time.

I know what you mean about SD1s! I had a few of them and replacing the exhaust olives became a regular feature. Nice engines, they converted me to V8s so I then went on to Range Rovers after that! Fitting a full stainless exhaust on your own is an interesting exercise, isn't it?!

Paul

[V12Pete]

Yes, certainly is Paul, especially the Rimmer Bros system. The tubular manifolds are fun to fit...not!

Update on the Jag. My wife's just come home and said "the exhaust on your Jag looks a bit odd". Yes, it's rusted through, I tell her. The Nearside, yes? "No, the offside" she replies. Guess what? Yep, that one is rusted through too...sigh, might as well replace the whole lot.

To add insult to injury the back box still has a manufacturer's sticker on it...Arvin Meritor... Part number JG123. One of my clients in the day job! Got to laugh I suppose!

[XJR-S]

Sounds like a nightmare! But if you can wait a month I will have these stainless back boxes up for sale as I am converting to quad back boxes. Will need to get some joining pipes to fit your system but they are readily available online.

[V12Pete]

Sorry, I should have updated this thread. I was recommended an exhaust specialist in Basildon called Pipecraft which custom systems for American cars. The guy told me he'd received 2 xjs the week before, one for a full system and the other had nothing wrong with his exhaust but wanted it louder so had customs rear silencers made. "Are you interested in these?" He asked, showing me two perfectly used but serviceable Jaguar original parts silencers! Turns out the baffles are shot in one of my middle boxes so he's going to replace the middle boxes with straight though pipes and fit the used rear boxes. Problem sorted.

[steve_m]

The noise is brilliant when you take the middle boxes out; absolutely perfect for setting off parked BMW alarms if you goose it as you trundle past.

[V12Pete]

Sounds good to me, even better if it works on Audis!

[PaulGover]

You might want to check the MOT requirements. The intermediate box on th facelift V12s is a catalyst, and therefore part of the emissions control. Coming shortly, the MOT will fail cars that have modified or removed emissions control stuff; I'm not sure how that applies retrospectively, but to quote the AA about the new tests from March 2013:

Exhaust

A catalytic convertor fitted as original equipment but missing will be a reason for failure.

[V12Pete]

I did ask the exhaust man about that and he said they weren't cats, they are further forwards between the manifolds and the long straight pipes running fore and aft.