Iezura aftermarket exhaust woes

[bongoneer]

Hi all,

I've recently had to 'attempt' to replace my back box, due to the pipe-box join splitting.

I bought an aftermarket back box from Iezura, after their sales pitch claims it to be a 'straight bolt on fit'. When it arrived, I was feeling brave so I thought I'd give it a go myself, but I couldn't even get the rusty nuts and bolts off the old one anyway! So, I took it in to a garage to let the pro's have a go. The new back box didn't fit. It didn't go anywhere near. The angle of the connector was all wrong and way to shallow, leaving a 15mm gap at the top of the connection. It was pushing the box so far up in to the floor and it still didn't close the gap. Also, it was tugging and stretching the rubber mounts, so even if we could get it to bolt together it looked like it would ping off anyway. A really bad fit. Gutted. £50 down and without bongo for another week while I sort it out!

So, now the scene is set here's my request for advice... when buying aftermarket exhaust bits, should I have to buy the middle flexi section as well or should it 'bolt straight on' as they state it should? The rest of the exhaust is genuine Mazda.

Now I'm in the dilemma where I just don't know what to try next.. do I chance it and get the aftermarket flexi section tooin the hope that fits (doubtful?), get another aftermarket box from somewhere else, or fork out for genuine or go stainless?

Aaaarghhhhh... what to do, what to do..... Please help????????

[mikeonb4c]

You could always opt to do what Vanvliet and Scanner have both done i.e. don't fit a back box and just use some flexi pipe for the final section. Seems to be hardly any extra noise and Bongo runs v well without backbox.

Meanwhile, get the backbox supplier to refund you - its clearly not fit for purpose.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[scanner]

You could always opt to do what Vanvliet and Scanner have both done i.e. don't fit a back box and just use some flexi pipe for the final section. Seems to be hardly any extra noise and Bongo runs v well without backbox.

Meanwhile, get the backbox supplier to refund you - its clearly not fit for purpose.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Mike - I DID refit a standard system (Centre and back box sections from Iezura and it fitted perfectly) - it's just that I WON'T be refitting the back box section WHEN (not if) it breaks in half again.

Bongoneer:-
It seems that some fit and others don't - does yours happen to have the "winter quick warm up" device in the exhaust?

[dobby]

Get a refund and head north to wigan - wheelquick did my back box last year and it wasn't much more than £50.............fitted.

[The Great Pretender]

If you run without a back box there should be less back pressure. I have noticed improoved mpg on diesel vans when the exhaust was leaking. Anyone else had similar?

[sparkymik]

I had the same prob with mine, same firm, happy with the price and delivery was spot on, the guys at my local garage had to heat it up and reshape the pipe but it is fine now

Sparky

[scanner]

If you run without a back box there should be less back pressure. I have noticed improoved mpg on diesel vans when the exhaust was leaking. Anyone else had similar?

I have a blown flexi section in the front pipe (upstream of the cat) of my other diesel and it pulls like a train and goes much better than it used to before it leaked, but haven't checked the mpg so can't comment on that.

The other benefit of losing the back box on the Bongo is the 50 kg extra payload you can carry instead.

[The Great Pretender]

My thinking is, the closer to the engine the restriction is the harder it has to work. If you noticed more power, use a light right foot and use less fuel?

[ebygum32]

mine went last year so got centre and back from mazdabongo.com did have a look at lezura on ebay but my gut was saying no as they only guarenteed for one year where as mazdabongo were offering two years, to fit it i used 9" angel grinder to get the old one off then it took me twenty mins to wiggle it through and bolt it together, dont forget you will probably also need a new exhaust washer and rubber mounting block as mine were both worn

[bongoneer]

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

Get a refund and head north to wigan - wheelquick did my back box last year and it wasn't much more than £50.............fitted.

Good call! Took yet another afternoon off work and travelled up to see Mike(s) at wheelquick. Top dudes!

They offered the Iezura 'cack' box up to confirm it wouldn't fit. As expected, no joy, not even close. They said that they wouldn't even try bending it, it still wouldn't have fit.

They fixed me up with a good quality back box there and then, wrote on the invoice explaining how and why the the Iezura box was a pile of sh... rubbish.... so I could use it as evidence to get a refund and kindly got another one out so I could take the below photo. Spot the difference? Iezura box on the bottom.



After several calls and emails I eventually managed to speak to someone helpful at Iezura, got them to agree to a refund and arrange collection of the duff back box. Followed up by a letter explaining the issues, with all the evidence and quoting distance selling regulations etc, reminding them that I informed them within 7 days and as such they must provide a full refund, including postage, and that they could not pass on the cost of return of the faulty goods. The collection was this morning, so I've yet to get a refund. I'll have to keep you posted on that issue.

I know a lot of people have purchased from Iezura before and have had no problem.. as long as the part was right in the first place that is. I also know others have had similar problems to me. I understand that stuff happens and that they have also been let down by their supplier, so I hold no negative feelings towards them for that, but it was like pulling teeth trying to sort it out.

So, my story is nothing special and most of you probably know the score, but for those who don't... hopefully you can make a more informed decision when choosing future suppliers of your aftermarket bits for your Bongo. Be wary when purchasing aftermarket parts over t'internet or phone and make sure you check out Distance Selling Regs, so you know your rights when it comes to the return of faulty goods. Check out the below link and scroll down to the refund section.

http://www.out-law.com/page-430

Anyway... in an attempt to sign off on a cheerier note.. happy days people... summer's on it's way

[Roberus]

....mmm....was looking at their centre flexi-pipe which seemed cheap at £53.50 + postage but not so sure now!

[dobby]

Nice bongoneer , fingers crossed for the refund!

[David Edwards]

Hmm a bit of bad luck there, I bought a flexi section from evil bay which came next day, I think it was £53.00 delivered and it was fine, went on easy too, I suppose it's a bit like pot luck, if I was closer after all the advice I would prob have gone to wheelquick.

[Happy Camper]

I had the exact same problem last week, Iezura have been supplied a recent batch that does not fit and they have removed them from there ebay site. They collected the box from the garage and are giving me a refund. I hoping my refund went in the bank today.

Think long term I will remove all together and replace with SS.

Happy Camper

[mikexgough]

When mine goes , I am going the stainless route...