So... I brought the mini to the exhaust shop today think it was leaking from where the header attaches to the exhaust. But it is actually coming from the header itself. So, I am in the market for a new header. Anyone have any recommendations in which direction I should look?
What year / gen Mini? Also your exhaust shop should be able to remove it a weld the leak if it is near a flange or replace the flex joint if it is leaking from that area.
R53 2003.....it's not leaking from the flex pipe it's leaking from one of the primaries. I bought the car with the aftermarket header on it. I am worried that if they fix that weld how good are the others. Also, I have no idea what brand it is.
Just have them take it off and weld all 4 primaries to the flange (front and back) and grind the mating surface flat and you should be good to go. Use a new gasket. Or you can call Jan at RMW and order a street header for less than a grand and have a very well made in the USA non code generating header that will last a long time. My RMW header is almost 6 years old without any issues.
It is a 4-2-1. It cracked where the top 2 come together. We are going to try to weld it tomorrow. Hopefully it works.
I ended up pulling it off and bring it into to be welded. He did a great job and took care of the leak. It sounds way better now.