Morning all...this might be a stupid question and I already know the answer but I'm not sure about the engine note of my wife's 1600 bay. I thought it was exhaust blowing but that's been replaced. She has registered for RTR4 so we expecting a 300 mile round trip but I'm ashamed to say I've never been in a bus whilst it's running so have nothing for comparison.
It’s not a stupid question at all. It’s an air-cooled flat four engine with unequal lengths exhausts, they have a fairly unique sound and it will be very different to an upright four-cylinder, water cooled, turbo charged, diesel engine – if that’s what is in your daily. But of course, that doesn’t mean the new exhaust isn’t blowing.
Its also a very short exhaust so there is more pulsing from each cylinder arriving at the tailpipe. Giving a putt-putt sound. If you are worried, get a metre or so of rubber (so it doesnt melt on hot things) hose and hold one end to your ear then point the other at the exhaust joints between the cylimder head and the exhaust system. Let the engine idle. Leaks show up as a crackling noise. It is quite common for new exhausts to not fit perfectly, and many of the "upgrades" can end up needing bending into shape. But if it has all the nuts present holding it on then usually the worst that exhaust air leaks do is cause backfiring in the exhaust going down hills. Almost a cosmetic problem ... I would then use the same hose above the tinware and poke around the carburettor and inlet manifold listening for sharp hissing from joints while the engine is idling. Those leaks are more dangerous for your engine than exhaust leaks as they can cause a tendency to overheat which is damaging. Also check the oil level at every fill up of petrol and at the beginning of every long trip. Any oil or battery charge warning lights suddenly come on.. ignition off, neutral and coast to a stop immediately. I have driven from Cologne to Southampton 500 miles in a day in my bus that needed oil top ups at every filling station.. And several times done Southampton to Dublin, about 300 miles. If its basically OK and you check the oil you should have no trouble doing 300 miles.
