So just had another good look today and discovered that on the top of my catalytic converter (my van is US import!) there is a hole and so loads of hot exhaust fumes are coming out of it right under the bumper. Looks like there used to be a cap or something bolted on over this hole but that that has now rusted away. Am wondering if perhaps this is where the O2 sensor fits on the later model vans? Am thinking that the last remnants of the bit blocking this hole may have come off on my run to Stonor Park the other weekend as I did think it was sounding a bit noisier after than run, but at the time couldn't spot anything other than a hot bumper. Have been thinking of removing the cat and putting a straight through replacement pipe in instead anyway (e.g. http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_spares_Cat-replacment-pipe-T2-Bay-74-78-1700-2000-Engines-021251541_act_shop.product_pID_188800_lang_EN_country_GB.htm) as I've heard it can improve performance a bit when the cat is old and knackered (though no idea what state my cat is inside) and so am thinking now might be the time to do it. That is unless someone tells me that I shouldn't remove the cat as it will mess up my FI - as I understand it, later years that have the exhaust O2 sensor can be messed up by having the cat removed, but for earlier years without this sensor it's OK to remove the cat. Can anyone confirm whether this is correct? If I don't replace it with the straight through pipe I'm hoping it's just a case of welding up this hole. Any one with a welder in the Oxford area that might be able to do this for me? Am sure it's only a few seconds work if I remove the bumper to get easy access to it (think it's easier to remove the bumper than it is to remove the rusted exhaust joints! Thanks. Nick...
Hi Nick, Did you ever de-cat your van after ?? I'm just searching exhaust threads as I've bought a 1978 Westy Berlin U.S import and the exhaust is blowing. Trying to figure out options for a complete system as everything on the exhaust looks corroded and I'm sure it will fall to pieces when I start trying to separate it !!
Ran mine all this year without the heat shield as it disintegrated when I had the engine out last year. Being going to make one all year but never did, not noticed excessive heat under the bumper.
BHP - no, not done anything with my exhaust yet. I decided to change my entire heat exchanger and exhaust set up to the simpler earlier setup and do away with my current complex set up like yours. Doing this however requires quite a few parts changing (exhaust, heat exchangers, and a few bits of tinware) and I've only now just about managed to get all the correct bits, but don't think I'll be looking at doing the change over now until the spring. Lots of my current set up is very rusty too and like you i think it might all fall apart if I try to replace any of it - hence my decision to simplify the whole lot. You can however get the right silencer and a straight through tube to replace the cat from most of the usual supplers (JK, VWH etc), it's all the other bits (e.g. all the u-bends) that are harder to come by. Good luck! Nick.
Are you using the 72-74 & 79 heat exchanger setup now peasoup? I have this on my 79 and have the all in one silencer no link pipe needed. http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_spares...40820_lang_EN_country_US.htm?crumbStartPage=1 like this
I've now got all the bits ready to do the change over to 72-74/79 setup @pkrboo except for the exhaust, and that is exactly the exhaust I'm looking to get Just need time to do the change which I think I won't get to until the spring now.
the bumper on mine with a type 4 in gets hot but i can just about stand it if i keep hold of it , I think its worse when you stop when heat from silencer goes directly up . Its probably fine when you drive along . mines got a twin empi exhaust silencers wright underneath the bumper does get warm.
when we go to festivals and been queuing for a while I get one of my kids to "check the bumper to see if its hot" the reply is "yes its hot" and I say "good ok, lets get the awning up"
