Cold starting/crap mpg/crap power sorted!

Just a quick post to advise you all after months of problems with cold startin problems, crap mpg and crap power problems on my 98 300tdi auto, i have finally found nirvana, dramatic yes! but oh so relieving.

So many simple and very cheap steps to achieve.

1 change all oils and filters - simple but effective
2 remove egr
3 remove cat
4 replace exhaust boxes with stright thru pipe, tremendous sound and will put the fear of god into your neighbours
5 clean out intercooler and all associated tubes from all soot and sh1te
6 lastly try bio it really does make a difference

The benefits to me are, mpg up 30% from 20 mpg on average to 26 + in some circs, less black smoke under accelleration and when starting, starts almost on the button now compared to nearly a full minute of cranking before it spluttered into life. And the best bit for me is the incredible hike in power, no longer feels like its strangled and the best burbling noise from the exhaust you will hear.

And how much did this cost?

egr kit £5
Defender 300tdi downpipe £20
1.5 metere length 60 mm bore exhaust tube £10 2X65 mm exhaust brackets
service kit & oil £25
biodiesel 75p a litre (if you can find it)

I'm happy for the moment, probably go out and break something now at Mouldsworth quarry on Monday, all these tips and hints tho were off here, god bless you all...............

girvtheswerve said:

And how much did this cost?

egr kit £5
Defender 300tdi downpipe £20
1.5 metere length 60 mm bore exhaust tube £10 2X65 mm exhaust brackets
service kit & oil £25
biodiesel 75p a litre (if you can find it)

I'm happy for the moment, probably go out and break something now at Mouldsworth quarry on Monday, all these tips and hints tho were off here, god bless you all...............

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Hi there, I want to de-cat my '98 Disco Tdi 300 auto as well, just out of interest, why the Defender downpipe and why the 60mm exhaust tube (is that flexitube?). Aren't you worried about MOT times and a non-std exhaust?

Hi, for some reason the 300tdi defender downpipe doesn't come with a cat its part number ESR2297 and bolts on where the old one bolts off no probs.

60mm bore is slightly smaller that the original exhaust bore so with a little bit of skill with a grinder and some clamps it'll bolt on a treat took me about 2 hours in all.

With regards to MOT testing, volume is not taken into account only the emissions and a straight thru sytem will not affect the emission at all, neither will decatting it. the only thing to be mindful of is if the system has any leaks or blows slightly it will fail.

Had a similar system on my old 200tdi and that flew through 2 MOT's no problem. Will post some pics if you fancy?

girvtheswerve said:

Hi, for some reason the 300tdi defender downpipe doesn't come with a cat its part number ESR2297 and bolts on where the old one bolts off no probs.

60mm bore is slightly smaller that the original exhaust bore so with a little bit of skill with a grinder and some clamps it'll bolt on a treat took me about 2 hours in all.

With regards to MOT testing, volume is not taken into account only the emissions and a straight thru sytem will not affect the emission at all, neither will decatting it. the only thing to be mindful of is if the system has any leaks or blows slightly it will fail.

Had a similar system on my old 200tdi and that flew through 2 MOT's no problem. Will post some pics if you fancy?

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Re the downpipe without cat., Paddocks do one for Defender about £25 and one for Disco at about £60. Now, IF they are identical, which one should I choose........................................currently my thinking is to connect to std middle and end pipe, because I have a new one in stock.

I guess the question going through my mind is - "is the defender downpipe identical, in terms of shape and diameter, to the Disco one you've just taken off (ignoring the cat off course )?"

Pictures, pictures, yes please, always like pictures of work done on Discos.

Yep the defender one is identical in everyway except cat of course same fixings, diameter etc etc. The only tricky bit is the 3 bolts holding the pipe onto the turbo, plenty of WD required for a couple of days before hand and if poss remove when cold, i learnt that by accident ouch! you 'll need a, I think a 13mm socket and 1-2" extention for the wratchet as thy're awkward as fook to get off, many grazed knuckles and banged wrists ahead.

I ran mine around for a couple of weeks with the standard middle & back box, made a hell of difference.

Will post some fotos later or tomorrow, the most hideous weather has set in here and I'm buggered if i'm getting on the floor to take photos just yet.

girvtheswerve said:

Yep the defender one is identical in everyway except cat of course same fixings, diameter etc etc. The only tricky bit is the 3 bolts holding the pipe onto the turbo, plenty of WD required for a couple of days before hand and if poss remove when cold, i learnt that by accident ouch! you 'll need a, I think a 13mm socket and 1-2" extention for the wratchet as thy're awkward as fook to get off, many grazed knuckles and banged wrists ahead.

I ran mine around for a couple of weeks with the standard middle & back box, made a hell of difference.

Will post some fotos later or tomorrow, the most hideous weather has set in here and I'm buggered if i'm getting on the floor to take photos just yet.

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Thanks very much for that, have just placed my order for a new downpipe

Start the WD-ing now then, cheers, Dave

Disco and Defender downpipe are not identical.Disco one has short flexi-bit in the middle.Apart from that they are interchangable.Wish I knew that before I shelled out £70 quid for Disco pipe.

rollin danny said:

Disco and Defender downpipe are not identical.Disco one has short flexi-bit in the middle.Apart from that they are interchangable.Wish I knew that before I shelled out £70 quid for Disco pipe.

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Have you any idea about fitting the Defender one on a Disco, will it fit, will it work? What does this flexy bit do?

Cheers

Dave

Girvtheswerve,

Where did you get your EGR kit from?

smellydog said:

Girvtheswerve,

Where did you get your EGR kit from?

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I got it off Ebay, can't remember the company but it was £18.95 plus postage.

It comprised of: 1 blanking plate, 1 gasket, 2 new bolts and 1 new intercooler to inlet manifold hose.

Defender pipe will fit the Disco.There is a hanger/mounting on the cat disco pipe that isn,t on the non cat pipe but mine seems ok without it .Someone said it was MOT failure not to have the hanger but mine passed without it.As far as the flexi-bit goes got no idea why its on disco pipe but not defender.Must be to give it a bit more play?

thebiglad said:

Thanks very much for that, have just placed my order for a new downpipe

Start the WD-ing now then, cheers, Dave

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Dave can't upload photos if you want I can PM them to you no probs, unless you can tell me how to shrink the picture size.....

The Defender pipe fits perfectly no worries and don't worry about the flexi pipe on the disco pipe, or any MOT issues stick with the defender unit you'll be laughing all the way to the bank........

girvtheswerve said:

Dave can't upload photos if you want I can PM them to you no probs, unless you can tell me how to shrink the picture size.....

The Defender pipe fits perfectly no worries and don't worry about the flexi pipe on the disco pipe, or any MOT issues stick with the defender unit you'll be laughing all the way to the bank........

Click to expand...

Cheers mate, if you could pm them that would be great !!

Can't wait to fit it and feel all that extra power !!!! Well, a bit at least