Blown Exhaust Manifold

[davebarny]

My car is blowing from the number 4 cylinder and i have been told the manifold needs replacing. Could anyone tell me if it will do the car any damage by driving it while it is like this? Or will it just be down on power?

Dave

[ansellb]

Hi Dave

The exhaust manifold was blowing on mine when I bought it. Paul Matty didn't have time to fix it right then, but they said it was okay to drive in the meantime - although it wasn't a pleasure: it made horrible tickety noises when you planted your right foot. A bit like one of the tappets had fallen off.

Have you fixed that back bumper yet? I'd be interested in knowing how easy it was to touch up the paintwork.

All the best,

Ben

[madmezza]

I drove with mine blown for about 6 months (say, 300-500 miles).

Horrible noise - bit embarassing, but there was no damage.

Only concern would be where the heat from the exhaust is going if it's blowing out of the hole. You don't want to set fire to anything!!

Rich

[s4simon]

As above

Drove with mine making the horrible hissing noise for around 6 months before replacing with a nice new one.

My original Lotus manifold was one of the later ones manufactured with the so called 'more robust' design - still only lasted 40k.