So another bit that needs replacing.

 

I’m aware you can get replacement pipes, that can be welded on.

 

Is this a job for a normal garage, or a specialist exhaust place?

Probably better to just buy a whole new front pipe with catalyst. Can't see it being much cheaper to get someone to mess about welding your old one with the possibility of the job being rubbish and not lasting.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Catalytic-Converter-SKODA-FABIA-1-4i-8v-68bhp-3-00-2-01/183253603720?fits=Car+Make%3ASkoda|Model%3AFabia+I&hash=item2aaac41588:g:-qgAAOSwrh5bcTq5

 

 

What engine?

13 minutes ago, Tech1e said:

What engine?

 

She has the 1.4 MPI, 8 valve. 2002.

@Wench - I appreciate your financial position but I've never heard of repairs to flexis being very successful.

17 minutes ago, KenONeill said:

@Wench - I appreciate your financial position but I've never heard of repairs to flexis being very successful.

 

Me neither, and I’ve done them myself

What I'd think is forcing this to be cheaper to replace the pipe than repair in your case is, age/condition of that section of pipe with cat and the availability of cheapish aftermarket parts.

 

I organised a repair on a 2002 Polo with the BBY engine in 2006, but at that time the aftermarket prices and availability of the front section were extremely grim so it would need to be a VW Group part at roughly £360 in 2006, so I used a specialist exhaust builder in Falkirk (Stainless Creations) and they messed up the first attempt by fitting the closest part their supplier had to hand, I ended up buying in the correct sized part from Senior Aftermarket and needing to pay again for swopping parts over, and that time it was an excellent repair and lasted until we sold the car in 2015. Edit:- and still a lot cheaper than replacing that pipe for a VW new part.

 

So fixing that problem can be easy if you find someone that will bother to measure first then fit the correct flexi repair section and can weld it properly - but as I said in the start of this posting, in your case the cost would be same or more now than replacing that section of pipe.

Edited 13 July, 20196 yr by rum4mo

Replacement of flexi pipe is/should be rutine job in every normal workshop- if it's not hard to take just 2 measurements and get proper flexi pipe in nearest shop.

If done properly, new flexi last many years. My father, who welds (but he is not professional welder) done this for my Furby.

Trick is to cut old flexi off nice and clear- in way, that new flexi can be slided-on on old pipes and welded then.

+

installing of dogbone PU bush radically decrease streching of flexi pipe, too (and improves gear change and adds vibration on steering wheel, sorry).

 

 

 

12 minutes ago, indars said:

Replacement of flexi pipe is/should be rutine job in every normal workshop-

 

Speaking from a dealer point of view (I appreciate this car isn't likely to be visiting a dealer) they wouldn't normally be welding an exhaust as they don't have the equipment to do so.

 

Edit - This is in the UK where they are somewhat uptight on health and safety and using welding equipment.

Edited 19 July, 20196 yr by Tech1e

41 minutes ago, Tech1e said:

 

Speaking from a dealer point of view (I appreciate this car isn't likely to be visiting a dealer) they wouldn't normally be welding an exhaust as they don't have the equipment to do so.

 

Edit - This is in the UK where they are somewhat uptight on health and safety and using welding equipment.

About dealers, not messing-up with welding- true; even here in LV... BTW, Furby sold yesterday :-/   But for few months already am owner of Mk3 Octy :-)

2 hours ago, indars said:

Replacement of flexi pipe is/should be rutine job in every normal workshop

The issue is with it being the flexi pipe; my local garage has successfully braze welded broken rigid pipes.

If the workshop has the resources to do this sort of repair then it can happen easily - but it will be down to cost, a bit like getting a set of "run of the mill" brake discs re-surfaced, fitting new parts wins if you need to consider the final bill.

Maybe we need to consider that not all areas of the world can source car parts quickly and at reasonable cost and so repairing what is there if repair sections are available will work at times.