Flexi Bit Broke

colindj69

Hi all - I've broke my 2nd flexi bit in under a year, am I correct in thinking that my engine mountings are on thier way out ????

Also, is it best to weld a new flexi into the exhaust, maybe a slighly longer one, or simply get the engine mounts done and then weld in a replacment flexi...

Is the flexi size 51mm..... ??

Many thanks

Colin

JohnnyN

These flexible pipes have a nasty habit of failing on the Vectra. Replacements are fine to weld in but I found a place that will supply clamp on flexible sections. Give me a minute and I'll get you the info.

JohnnyN

Here you go viewtopic.php?f=61&t=14380

The mount that usually needs replacing is the rear gearbox mount.

colindj69

Many thanks JohnnyN, I did look at that post and all the other "flexi pipe" ones but thought it would be best to ask....

By looking at other peoples posts, it looks likes I need a 51mm diameter flexi..... Can you confirm at all on this.... ??? Also what length would you go for ???

Many thanks
Colin

MikeS

and yes a sign of a failing flexi is sometimes the engine mount, but the whole point of a flexi is to allow movement

i have noticed how poor the engines mounts are on vectras, u can physically push the engine backwards and forwards within the engine bay like a rocking chair

colindj69

lol yeh that is true. This used to happen on the old CVH engines (XR3i's, RS Turbo's etc) where you could rock the engine back and forth and they only had 1 engine mount, 2 on the gearbox so it used to twist as well, and it used to break exhausts all the time at the bottom of the downpipe. I solved mine by cutting that section out and fitting 'flexi' pipe and it worked a treat.... That was even after new mounts had been fitted...
My current exhaust is under warranty but I know for a fact they are gonna say engine mounts cos I took it back about 3 times so far saying it's blowing and they have said it isn't the exhaust but manifold.... I replaced manifold today as it was cracked but the flexi is def blowing as I tested it with heat shields off....

colindj69

Just to add as well, my engine seems to 'pop up' out of the bonnet when under load... Would this be gearbox mount as mentioned above ???

JohnnyN

The standard exhaust dia. is just under 2 inch diameter, so the 51mm flexi should do the job fine. As for length, see how long the flexi is now. I ordered one from Camskill a few years ago and it came with extra bits at each end of the flexi that could be trimmed off before fitting and welding.

andysh2

I've just had my front pipe replaced yet again due to a front flex failure and it's gone again after a week it was changed under warranty the last one lasted six months. I've owned my vectra 5 years now and think i'm now on my fifth front pipe am i right in thinking i've a knacked engine mount. My cars only done 49,000 miles and to be brutally honest it's the most unreliablist car i've owned. Had to have my head done two years ago due to cam chain failure and the list just goes on and on. I love the Vectra but it drives me up the wall. Just going back to the flex should it be up near the flange or near the cat the last two i've had had it near the flange. dunno..

JohnnyN

The standard flexi is near the cat. Sounds like your rear mount is gone on the gearbox. Have you thought of having a flexi welded in at the flange and near the cat?

pottsey

andysh2 said:
I've just had my front pipe replaced yet again due to a front flex failure and it's gone again after a week it was changed under warranty the last one lasted six months. I've owned my vectra 5 years now and think i'm now on my fifth front pipe am i right in thinking i've a knacked engine mount. My cars only done 49,000 miles and to be brutally honest it's the most unreliablist car i've owned. Had to have my head done two years ago due to cam chain failure and the list just goes on and on. I love the Vectra but it drives me up the wall. Just going back to the flex should it be up near the flange or near the cat the last two i've had had it near the flange. dunno..

the flexi should be near the cat,i had trouble with my new d/pipe /cat that i had on the flexi was near the flange went thru 2 within 3 weeks ,as they were under warranty i got them exchanged,apparantely the manager from bush tyres had confirmation from bosal that the cats with the flexi near the flange were a design fault and they had a lot of comebacks,got sorted in the end and its been fine for the last 18 months

andysh2

My front pipe is also still under warranty and again it's a Bosal supplied by bush tyres.