Giant Hole in Alta Downpipe

Noegel · #1 12-07-2009, 04:53 AM

Well, I took my MINI to the dealer for service and they showed me that there is a quarter-sized hole in the downpipe at the second curve... it was installed correctly, and I just don't understand if I'm the only one with the issue. Maybe it is because I live with unnaturally bumpy roads (a lot of gravel roads here) but it was rubbing against a bracket.

My question is, if I order an Exhaust Deport downpipe, will it fit up with the black Alta catback? It'd also be nice not to have a CEL every time I start up the vehicle.

Thanks for the help guys!

slinger688 · #2 12-07-2009, 05:30 AM

What did they say could have caused this?

countryboyshane · #3 12-07-2009, 06:00 AM

I know when removing my Alta turboback system before replacing it with my current setup, there was a fracture along the weld of the support bracket causing an exhaust leak. If you have a random quarter size hole in the pipe that is really strange. Maybe defective brittle material? Either way it's scrap metal now.

The Alta cat-back will not directly bolt-on to Exhaust Depot downpipe. You'll need to have something fabricated at a muffler/weld shop to get it all working again.

If anybody else is reading this, this is why you buy direct bolt-on compatible parts. For the R56 it's best to buy a true bolt on exhaust that fits directly on the exhaust downpipe flange, then decide if you want a downpipe, and also make sure that it's a true bolt on as well like the ones made by Exhaust Depot, Rezzagon, Riss Racing...etc. What's also great about this is that if one component fails in the whole turbo back system, you don't have to replace the whole damn thing!

Gilboyto · #4 12-07-2009, 08:07 AM

Im gonna have to check mine now... lol. If you have a big enough hole such as this did you not notice the insanely loud exhaust leak at the front of the car making noise when it was running out of curiosity?

Reason I ask is because its very easy to hear an exhaust leak, especially on these cars. My friend was complaining because he can only hear my intake when hes in front of my car, but TONS of sound out the back with my ALTA.

Faulta · #5 12-07-2009, 09:22 AM

Noegel,

This is the worst Alta story yet. Thanks for posting the cautionary tale and sorry for your loss on your investment. Alta has rightly become the laughing stock of this community.

ALTA_Jarid · #6 12-07-2009, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noegel

Well, I took my MINI to the dealer for service and they showed me that there is a quarter-sized hole in the downpipe at the second curve... it was installed correctly, and I just don't understand if I'm the only one with the issue. Maybe it is because I live with unnaturally bumpy roads (a lot of gravel roads here) but it was rubbing against a bracket.

My question is, if I order an Exhaust Deport downpipe, will it fit up with the black Alta catback? It'd also be nice not to have a CEL every time I start up the vehicle.

Thanks for the help guys!

Hi Noegel,
Have you tried to contact us about your issue? Please contact us to see if we can help! Did the downpipe crack at the lower bracket? They are stainless steel downpipes and it's a little tough to punch a hole in it.

**onefish2** · #7 12-07-2009, 10:29 AM

This seems to be a problem on these forums where people post their problems before going to the vendor to try to get help. They seem to come here to this community for help and or to complain.

I have nothing against ALTA but I read through these forums religiously and based on reading lots of comments here I decided to stay away from the ALTA products when I decided to do some modding to my cars engine bay. And I am sure that there are many happy ALTA customers that do not mention that they are satisfied with their products.

Kirkland · #8 12-07-2009, 03:31 PM

Sorry for your loss. It is a pain and expensive to remove broken parts.

**Gil-galad** · #9 12-07-2009, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faulta

Noegel,

This is the worst Alta story yet. Thanks for posting the cautionary tale and sorry for your loss on your investment. Alta has rightly become the laughing stock of this community.

You obviously weren't around here during the PU days...

ALTA_Jarid · #10 12-07-2009, 03:41 PM

Let's please not turn this into a bash ALTA thread... We don't even know if this was a road damaged part or anything yet. Please keep on topic. The OP hasn't even contacted us yet about this issue.

MLPearson79 · #11 12-07-2009, 04:31 PM

Agreed - if it's a wear issue there's no sense in jumping the vendor's case.

Noegel · #12 12-08-2009, 09:48 AM

Okay... I only saw it in the MINI Dealer for a brief second, but the hole is right next to some sort of bracket and there were scratch marks around the hole indicating rubbing on this bracket. I'll try to put the car up on ramps and take a photo to send to ALTA for the issue, but man after 15,000 miles, my ALTA parts are beginning to show some serious wear.

The only part I enjoy a lot is the blacked out catback. It's a seriously high quality black finish. I'll post some photos in a bit.

I understand materials like silicone are highly susceptible to rubbing damage, but the downpipe had me like

. Perhaps I didn't notice it over time because it was a gradual opening. I noticed a problem at first when I Seafoamed the motor and smoke came up out of the engine bay.

Pictures when I can.

ALTA_Jarid · #13 12-08-2009, 11:02 AM

Noegel,
Please respond to the PM I sent you yesterday. Thanks!

Faulta · #14 12-25-2009, 09:24 AM

Noegel,

what happened with the downpipe hole?

Gilboyto · #15 12-26-2009, 08:18 AM

I would also like to know an update if possible

By reading the posts it almost sounds to me like the bracket that bolts to the block itself to hold the DP in place cracked there...am I correct?

ALTA_Jarid · #16 12-28-2009, 10:56 AM

I am still awaiting pics of the damage. We had another client that had a cracked downpipe due to his car bottoming out on the muffler and it bent the bracket.

Gilboyto · #17 12-28-2009, 10:59 AM

Gotcha, haha that would make sense as to why it cracked. Im not quite sure how that would happen though I didnt think that was the lowest point on the car.

Oh well, sounds like its getting taken care of

Noegel · #18 12-30-2009, 01:29 AM

I am sorry for the delay in pictures... I will be be posting some when I change my oil here in a couple of weeks. Thank you for your patience, ALTA.

minipete07 · #19 01-02-2010, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALTA_Jarid

Let's please not turn this into a bash ALTA thread... We don't even know if this was a road damaged part or anything yet. Please keep on topic. The OP hasn't even contacted us yet about this issue.

This whole has happened to me twice!! Its at the bracket at the 90 degree bend.....the first time it was replaced by ALTA under warranty and now i have it again but its out of warranty so i'm SOL!!

i guess i'm going back to stock...FML

btwdriver · #20 01-02-2010, 06:55 PM

I also have a cracked downpipe from Alta right at the bracket.... they said they are going to replace it under warranty.

ALTA_Jarid · #21 01-04-2010, 09:00 AM

Sorry to hear about your issue minipete07. PM me your contact info.

minipete07 · #22 01-04-2010, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALTA_Jarid

Sorry to hear about your issue minipete07. PM me your contact info.

PM sent!

Noegel · #23 01-06-2010, 04:19 PM

Yes, no pictures yet of the downpipe hole, but the 90 degree bend is where the hole is. It's a nasty one, but I think I may replace the exhaust completely. Might go with Exhaust Depot or similar.... I'll figure it out eventually.

JamesHunt · #24 01-06-2010, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noegel

Yes, no pictures yet of the downpipe hole, but the 90 degree bend is where the hole is. It's a nasty one, but I think I may replace the exhaust completely. Might go with Exhaust Depot or similar.... I'll figure it out eventually.

just weld it closed

ALTA_Jarid · #25 01-06-2010, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noegel

Yes, no pictures yet of the downpipe hole, but the 90 degree bend is where the hole is. It's a nasty one, but I think I may replace the exhaust completely. Might go with Exhaust Depot or similar.... I'll figure it out eventually.

I would suspect you would lose a bit of power with the ED downpipe compared to the ALTA since they take two small honeycomb cats and weld them together. I dont think there is a way to line up the honeycombs to ensure there is no flow restriction. I think this is why they don't throw a CEL.