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[jimbobmccoy]

In recent weeks I have noticed the car being slightly sluggish, but not enough to warrant major concern.
Yesterday, driving on a dual carriageway, and needed to overtake, so floored it to get kick down to engage, which it did, car starts to slowly accelerate and Bang, huge thud, and a cloud of smoke from the back along with a load of wadding.

I assumed it was the rear box wadding exiting the tailpipe so continued to where I had to go, and on checking the rear box has split rather dramatically.

I'll try and get a pic up, but basically, looking from the rear of the car, the entire right seam of the box has let go, and the box is now empty of any internals.

Car performance is hugely improved, but I have three concerns.

Will the exhaust gas now vent in such a way as to damage, or burn a hole in the petrol tank, (tho I did notice what looked like some shielding.)

Will this affect mpg

Will the car be safe to drive far - I am meant to be driving to Ireland from London on Wednesday night and it will be a real struggle to replace it in time.

Many thanks for any answers.

[tunnie]

Car performance is hugely improved

The back box would have been blocked previously, so that would reduce performance. Its now flowing better 

I'd replace the back box, in this heat I don't think I'd want the heat from the back box blowing around the plastic petrol tank.

Replace the whole system cat back, this can be done for around £120 from Eternal, £90 from someone like ETS. Eternal is better for me, but both have double walled centre boxes.

[Bixy1]

As Tunnie sez, trust me I know.  Thats how my problem started. My back box did exactly the same a few months ago.
See 'secondary air injection' thread. 

[albitz]

Im sure someone on here had this happen on a longish journey and it melted the petrol tank.
I would do something about before doing any sort of journey.Source another box,or even get the seam welded up as a temporary repair.
Not worth the risk imo.

[Entwood]

Im sure someone on here had this happen on a longish journey and it melted the petrol tank.
I would do something about before doing any sort of journey.Source another box,or even get the seam welded up as a temporary repair.
Not worth the risk imo.

I think that was JamesV6CDX ......

[albitz]

I think your right.

[Entwood]

Full story ...

http://oldsite.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1274000900

answer found around page 7 ... but he was VERY lucky it didn't go up with a bang IMHO ...

Frighting too mild a word ...

[jimbobmccoy]

So between mulling this over all morning, and seeing some of the replies, i decided to do the sensible thing and get the exhaust replaced.

In an ideal world i'd have ordered a stainless one and fitted it myself, but, given the time constraints, and the fact im at work every day till i go away, im having to stick it in to a garage to get it done.

I was tempted to replace just the backbox myself tomorrow night, but if anything went wrong, or decided to be a stubborn bugger, i had no time to sort it, so have on this occasion releived myself of the stress of it all.

if the split had have been on the bottom i may have chanced it till a ss system arrived, but with it being where it is.................probably best to play safe.