As most Fabia owners are aware if you have standard Boost Pipes you will at some point suffer boost leaks or even pipes blowing off.

The standard pipes are an expensive OEM dealer only option or you have a custom pipe work set made up .

Some of the other fixes tried are self tapping screws to hold the pipes together (don't fancy drilling through the pipe work due to swarf) or cable ties to hold the pipes together.

Recently I discovered this


but thanks to Dark Hero managed to source a good condition second hand part.

Fitted it this weekend but also wanted to try something new.

Took awhile but sealed the boost pipes with heat shrink tubing.

The following photos show the end result.












Hoping they will do a good job of both holding the pipes together and also completely sealing them.

Taking the car on track at Combe this month so if they survive that, then the jobs a good one.

Will update this tread if any thing happens to the heat shrink.

As usual opinions welcome

Karl

Glad I could help you Karl. The heat shrink looks like a good fix. Hopefully it works out ok

Looks good Karl.

Swarf isn't a problem if you fit screws on a bench and give them a good clean out before putting them back on

Glad I could help you Karl. The heat shrink looks like a good fix. Hopefully it works out ok

Thanks Charlie,

Hope it works too - heat and time will tell. The heat shrink is good for up to 125 centigrade and is 1.5 mm thick - was going to use two layers but decided to try just one.

Looks good Karl.

Swarf isn't a problem if you fit screws on a bench and give them a good clean out before putting them back on

Thanks Sam,

Did think of that, but would require removing all the pipes and inter-cooler (front bumper off). I also used it on the boost pipe to EGR/ASV connection and also the boost pipe to the turbo outlet pipe (hope it does not get that hot)

Nice thing about it is that it only took just over an hour to do and it hopefully seals the pipes as well. Another plus point should be easy to get off with a kraft knife.

Only time will tell if its a long term fix as I have read that eventually the heat shrink goes brittle after long exposure to excessive temperatures.

Karl

As ever ......

Show off

Very clever though

Did you fit the blue hoses in the last pic yourself? On of my hoses has split and i need to replace it. Easy to change?

pretty genius thinking there, thanks for posting. Will bear this in mind for if/when i have problems.

Hope it works for you- could this possibly be prone to vibration failure as the pipes move and if the heat shrink is the most flexible/thinnest bit it could take all the strain? maybe something to keep an eye on just in case. You might consider wrapping some rubber tape over the top to add a bit of reinforcement?

Looks nice and neat!

Now a for a FMIC?

As ever ......

Show off

Very clever though

Cheers

Did you fit the blue hoses in the last pic yourself? On of my hoses has split and i need to replace it. Easy to change?

The blue hose is actually heat shrink put over the original pipe (Now removed don't like the colour) - but it is easy to replace as I had to take the pipe off to put the heat shrink on.

pretty genius thinking there, thanks for posting. Will bear this in mind for if/when i have problems.

Cheers

Hope it works for you- could this possibly be prone to vibration failure as the pipes move and if the heat shrink is the most flexible/thinnest bit it could take all the strain? maybe something to keep an eye on just in case. You might consider wrapping some rubber tape over the top to add a bit of reinforcement?

The quoted working temp for the heat shrink is -55 to +125 deg C - also tested at 250 deg for 4 hours with no cracking - was going to put two layers on for extra thickness but unlike small diameter heat shrink tube which is wafer thin this is 1.5 mm thick. There are other options of thicker tube and also adhesive lined

Good test this weekend as going to Castle Combe this Sat so it will have a bit of a hammering !

Looks nice and neat!

Now a for a FMIC?

Maybe one day Jordan !

Cheers

The blue hose is actually heat shrink put over the original pipe (Now removed don't like the colour) - but it is easy to replace as I had to take the pipe off to put the heat shrink on.

What size is the hose mate? Gonna order some silicone replacements.

Cheers

The quoted working temp for the heat shrink is -55 to +125 deg C - also tested at 250 deg for 4 hours with no cracking - was going to put two layers on for extra thickness but unlike small diameter heat shrink tube which is wafer thin this is 1.5 mm thick. There are other options of thicker tube and also adhesive lined

Good test this weekend as going to Castle Combe this Sat so it will have a bit of a hammering !

Maybe one day Jordan !

hi, my boost poip coming from the turbot to the intercooler is passing oil and there is freeplay movment, so i think ill give this a try too.. could i ask what size heat shrink you used? and best place to get it be ebay??

thanks.

btw i like the blue car

hi, my boost poip coming from the turbot to the intercooler is passing oil and there is freeplay movment, so i think ill give this a try too.. could i ask what size heat shrink you used? and best place to get it be ebay??

thanks.

btw i like the blue car

Sorry for the slow reply, missed your post

76mm 3 inch dia Got mine from here http://www.heatshrink-online.co.uk/heatshrink/prod_338712-76mm-3-Diameter-Black-Heat-Shrink-Per-05m.html

Hope it works for you

Karl

Hi thanks for that, i already found some stuff on ebay and it artived today. but my car isnt here so i guess its a job for tomorro night, is a heat blower gun the best way to use it i guess?? thanks

Just wanting a quick update on this.

You said time and heat will tell.... So how's it working out? Considering doing this myself.

I removed all pipes and the intercooler on Sunday hoping to find an answer to my leak but got nothing! I'm hoping this is the answer

Thanks

Haven't had chance to remove the under tray and check the lower pipes yet, but as for the top joints that I can see they are looking as good as the day they were fitted,

No visible splits or cracks/crazing on the heat shrink and still feels flexible so looking good so far.

Will hopefully have chance to check the underside this weekend and give another update.

Karl