Exhaust system check (Every 12 months - regardless of mileage)

Routine maintenance and servicing / Exhaust system check (Every 12 months - regardless of mileage)

1 Park the vehicle on a level surface and switch off the engine. Chock the front wheels and select first gear, then raise the rear of the vehicle and rest it securely on axle stands (see “Jacking and vehicle support”).

2 With the engine cold (wait at least an hour after switching off the engine), check the complete exhaust system from the engine to the end of the tailpipe.

3 Check the exhaust pipes and connections for evidence of leaks, severe corrosion and damage. Make sure that all brackets and mountings are in good condition, and that all relevant nuts and bolts are tight. Leakage at any of the joints or in other parts of the system will usually show up as a black sooty stain in the vicinity of the leak (see illustrations).

8.3a Check the exhaust pipe connections (arrowed) for evidence of leaks, severe corrosion and damage

8.3b Make sure that all brackets and mountings (arrowed) are in good condition

4 Rattles and other noises can often be traced to the exhaust system, especially the brackets and mountings. Try to move the pipes and silencers. If the components are able to come into contact with the body or suspension parts, secure the system with new mountings. Otherwise, with reference to Chapter 4C, loosen the joints between adjacent sections of the exhaust pipe by slackening the clamps (where possible) and twist the pipes as necessary to provide additional clearance. Re-tighten the exhaust pipe clamps on completion.