Reliant Kitten Estate, Workshop Manual

Page: 82 / 138

Page 82
Section N
Contents
Description
Routine maintenance
Operation 1
Exhaust system - removal and replacement
Operation 2
Exhaust silencer - replacement
Description
The exhaust system of both saloon an estate comprises of two main
units, the manifold and a one-piece downpipe and silencer assembly.
The downpipe is secured to the manifold by two brass nuts and
supported by means of a bracket and clamp attached to a bell housing
stud at the front of the system. The rear is supported with a flexible
rubber ring attached to hooks on the tail pipe and the rear chassis
cross member.
Routine maintenance
The only routine maintenance is to inspect the system for corrosion
and damage paying particular attention to the silencer, plus the
periodic checking of the tightness of all nuts, bolts and fixings. It is
recommended that these checks be carried out every 6,000 miles
(10,000 km).
Exhaust system
Operation 1 Exhaust system - removal and replacement
To remove
( Figure 1 )
1. Remove the two brass nuts securing the downpipe to the
exhaust manifold.
2.
Slacken the nut securing the support bracket to the bell
housing.
3.
At the rear, prise off the rubber ring supporting the tail
pipe.
4.
Remove the nut and washer from the bell housing bolt and
manoeuvre the exhaust system out from under the car.
To replace
Replace in the reverse order, fitting a new manifold to downpipe
gasket and new brass nuts. Check the tightness of all fixings after the
engine has been run up to normal temperature.
Operation 2 Exhaust silencer - replacement
A silencer repair kit is available to enable a system to be repaired
when only the silencer has deteriorated leaving the downpipe in good
condition. The repair involves cutting off the silencer and splicing a
new one on to the existing downpipe.
1.
Remove the exhaust system.
2. Cut off the damaged silencer 76.2 mm (3 in) forward of the
silencer box.
3.
Join the new silencer to the downpipe using the stub pipe in
the kit.
4.
Fit the supplied clamps but do not fully tighten.
5. Refit the system to the car, adjust at the rear for clearance
and fully tighten the clamps.