Rattlin' Cat

[kev777]

Hi all,

Just noticed that the cat or front pipe has started rattling, so I guess its on its way out. Is this an easy job to do DIY style? I've not long had a middle section fitted to the exhaust system so it should come away ok. reckon If I get it up in the air and worked through from the top I could change it ok.

I dont fancy taking it to the local tyre and exhaust place. Paid over £80 for the middle section, and Ive seen them for about £20 from online shops.

I'd rather pay the £80 or so for a cat from online than the megabucks that the kwikfitters charge.

Any advice would be very welcome.

Many thanks, Kev.

[Guest Colin Hunter]

You don't say what engine you have, but it was easy enough on my Xantia HDi 110 once it was "up in the air" with access to the joint from below up through the subframe. Whatever engine you have, you'll need a new fitting kit from the frontpipe to the cat. This comprises a bag of bits with a new spherical joint, spherical head bolts & cups, springs & spring cups and locking nuts. This allows expansion and movement between the front pipe and the cat as the engine "rocks" during acceleration/deceleration.

 

It avoids straining the cat welds which would lead to eventual failure, as I found out when the cat on the lads ZX fell apart. Some OICK had "repaired" the expansion joint with flat headed 6mm guttering bolts and square nuts! They allowed very little movement so the cat took up the slack so to speak! The kit is available from Citroen for about £12 or so but you may be able to get it elsewhere, Probably from the same supplier as the cat.

 

If you're going to keep the car a while it may be an idea to change out the frontpipe as well as the extra cost will be minimal and you won't have to go back to it when it eventually fails. Your Choice!

 

On the other hand, it may just be one of the heat sheilds come loose and rattling against the exhaust.

 

Cheers. Hope this helps! :(