Hi,

My 2003 VRS has a slight blow from the exhaust. Thinking it was the cat-downpipe joint, i had all the bolts and gasket replaced. This didnt cure it. I have discovered it appears to be the manifold - turbo bolts that the spring washers have gone in ( i think). A lot of fiddling around from the top at the back of the engine, and I can tighten them up a bit but over time they loosen a touch, causing the blowing.

How do i get to them to replace them? What do i need to remove? I have a reasonable set of tools to hand, and am fairly competent with mechanics.

Can you not just renew the spring washer, replace bolts and use some thread lock? Or if its nuts use nyloc ones with thread lock?

I think I may have the same issue, I get a blow that sounds like a kid blowing raspberries between 2 and 3000 rpm under acceleration, I was hoping it was the flexi down pipe but that is fine.

Very common. It's easy providing the bolts come out. Just need to remove the top boost pipes and then you can get to the three bolts.

Can you not just renew the spring washer, replace bolts and use some thread lock? Or if its nuts use nyloc ones with thread lock?

And don't use nylocs because they will melt (the locking part) ;-)

Anyone find me a pic of the back of the engine so I can see what I need to remove. Had a look, removed a couple of pipes, but cant see how to get proper access to remove the bolts. I am fairly handy with the spanners, so can change the bolts, once I know how much i have to strip out to do it. Also, should I order new bolts or just spring washers? Mine seem to work loose over time, causing the blowing.

And don't use nylocs because they will melt (the locking part) ;-)

Ah good point!

Spring washers then

as u look down on the 3 bolts remove all pipe work that connects to the metal tube that runs along the back , stick ur hand round the back where the braket is holding the metal pipe theres a 13mm bolt to remove the clamp this will give u enough room to get the bolts out , put ur gaskit in If u find the turbo drops 2 far use a long 10mm bolt with a nut on the end screw it in threw the manifold and gaskit down to the turbo till it catches use the nut to pull up the turbo enough to get the new bolts in (25mm)