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Ford-KA-Exhaust-Replacement

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Ford-KA-Exhaust-Replacement

Ford-KA-Exhaust-Replacement
Ford-KA-Exhaust-Replacement

Ford-KA-Exhaust-Replacement

Ford-KA-Exhaust-Replacement: With a Christmas Deadline – Keeping Halifax Moving at Pellon Tyres

Yesterday brought one of those jobs into the forecourt that reminds you why running a local garage is still such a rewarding way to spend your days. A bright red Ford Ka rolled in, coughing, spluttering, and rattling its way up to the workshop doors. You didn’t need a trained ear to know something underneath was ready to part company with the rest of the car.

Sure enough, once Dale popped it onto the ramp for a quick look, the exhaust was hanging on by little more than hope and rust flakes. An easy diagnosis for once — the Ka needed a complete new exhaust system, no ifs or buts.

The lady who owned the car was a lovely local customer, the type we’ve had the pleasure of helping for years. She was hoping to nip into Halifax town centre for a bit of Christmas shopping and didn’t fancy driving through the queues on King Cross Road with a car that sounded like an old farm tractor. Luckily for her, we keep good stock levels and could fit the system straightaway. By the time she’d finished browsing the festive stalls in the Piece Hall and Woolshops, her Ka was already back to its cheerful, quiet self.

Happy customer, happy Ka, and a bit more peace on the Halifax roads!

Ford-KA-Exhaust-Replacement
Ford-KA-Exhaust-Replacement

A Little Ford Ka History – A British Favourite With a Yorkshire Following

The Ford Ka, launched back in 1996, has a special place in the hearts of many UK drivers. Whether you loved its quirky styling or weren’t quite sure about it at first, there’s no denying it became a familiar sight on our roads — especially in towns like Halifax, where its tiny turning circle and cheap running costs made it perfect for navigating tight streets and car parks.

A few quick bits of Ka nostalgia:

  • The first-generation Ka was built in Valencia, Spain, and later in Poland.

  • It was based on the old Fiesta platform but had its own distinctive rounded shape.

  • Ford kept the Ka simple — no fancy gadgets, just honest motoring.

  • It quickly became a favourite for new drivers, city commuters, and anyone wanting a dependable little runaround.

Even now, nearly 30 years later, we still see plenty of them come through our doors at Pellon Tyres. Many belong to long-term owners who swear by them, and with the right maintenance they keep going far longer than you’d expect. The weak points tend to be the usual culprits: exhausts, tyres, and suspension bushes — nothing our lads can’t sort.

Ford-KA-Exhaust-Replacement
Ford-KA-Exhaust-Replacement

Why Exhausts Fail on Older Cars – Especially in Halifax: Ford-KA-Exhaust-Replacement

Halifax isn’t the easiest place on exhaust systems. With our steep hills, damp winters, and all the road salt spread from October onwards, exhausts on older motors take a real hammering.

Common problems we see include:

  • Rusting from the inside out due to short journeys

  • Back boxes splitting at the seams

  • Centre pipes weakening where they curve around the axle

  • Hangers snapping and leaving the system dangling

Yesterday’s Ka was a perfect example — years of Yorkshire weather, short hops around town, and the usual rust traps had taken their toll.

Once a system gets to that stage, fitting a new one is the safest and most cost-effective option. Patching them up only delays the inevitable (and usually not for long in Halifax weather!).

Ford-KA-Exhaust-Replacement
Ford-KA-Exhaust-Replacement

Exhaust or Tyre Trouble? Just Pull Into Pellon Tyres – No Appointment Needed

One thing that’s never changed since we opened back in 1989 is the way we look after people. If something sounds wrong, feels wrong, or looks like it’s hanging off the bottom of the car, you can simply pull into Pellon Tyres and we’ll take a look as soon as a mechanic is available.

There’s no need to book weeks in advance, no call centres, and no fuss. Just drive up, pop into reception, and we’ll do our best to get you sorted. We deal with:

And because we’re right here in Halifax, you can leave the car with us while you do your shopping, grab a coffee, or catch the bus to town. Many customers take the short walk down towards Pellon Lane and are in the centre in minutes.

We know how important cars are in this area — between the hills, the weather, and the buses that never seem to come when you need them, having your motor off the road is more than an inconvenience. That’s why we try to get everyone back on the road as quickly and safely as possible.

Pellon Tyres – Proud to Be Part of the Local Community: Ford-KA-Exhaust-Replacement

We’ve always said that running a garage in Halifax is more than just fitting tyres and fixing exhausts. It’s about being part of the community — the same people we see in the supermarkets, at the Piece Hall events, walking their dogs around Shibden, or queueing with us at the chippy on a Friday night.

That’s why we’re proud when customers trust us enough to pop in without hesitation. Whether it’s a £25 puncture repair or a full exhaust system, it all matters to someone trying to get to work, pick the kids up, or, like yesterday’s customer, finish their Christmas shopping in peace.

Another job done, another customer sorted, and another Ford Ka given a new lease of life. Just another day at Pellon Tyres — and that’s exactly how we like it.

nissan-micra-exhaust-halifax

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nissan-micra-exhaust-halifax

nissan-micra-exhaust-halifax
nissan-micra-exhaust-halifax

nissan-micra-exhaust-halifax

Another Busy Day at Pellon Tyres – This Time a Noisy Nissan Micra!

Just when we thought the day couldn’t get any busier with all the broken coil springs coming through the workshop, another job rattled its way onto the forecourt—quite literally. This time it was a Nissan Micra, and we didn’t need a stethoscope to know what was wrong. The poor thing was roaring louder than a motorbike, and you could hear it before it even turned into Pellon Lane.

With all the pothole jobs piling up, we weren’t surprised to see yet another victim of winter weather and rough Calderdale roads. But this one wasn’t suspension-related — it was the exhaust system making all the fuss.

A Noisy Arrival at the Garage

As soon as the Micra swung onto the forecourt, Dale looked up from the ramp and said, “That’ll be the exhaust, no doubt about it.” He wasn’t wrong.

The driver – a young lad from Mixenden – climbed out, shaking his head.
“It started off as a little noise,” he said, “but by the time I got to Halifax, it sounded like Concorde taking off!”

Up on the ramp it went, and the fault stood out straightaway:
a clean break in the exhaust pipe, just ahead of the back box. The metal had rusted away completely, worn thin from years of muck, salt, and wet weather. Once a weak point gives way, the exhaust basically splits, and the car becomes louder than a rugby crowd at Headingley.

nissan-micra-exhaust-halifax
nissan-micra-exhaust-halifax

A Straightforward Fix

Exhaust jobs can be tricky depending on the age of the car, but this one was nicely behaved. After a good soak with penetrating oil and a bit of persuasion, Dale and the lads had the old section off in minutes. We fitted a new piece, clamped everything securely, checked for leaks, and made sure the rest of the system was in decent condition.

The difference was instant. From a deafening roar to a quiet purr in under an hour.

The lad was well chuffed, saying he didn’t realise how peaceful the drive home should actually sound!

nissan-micra-exhaust-halifax
new system ready to be fitted

Why Exhausts Suffer in Halifax: nissan-micra-exhaust-halifax

It’s no surprise we see so many broken exhausts at this time of year. Halifax roads gather everything from grit to puddles, and all that moisture sitting on the pipes causes rust. Combine that with pothole impacts and winter frost, and an older exhaust doesn’t stand much of a chance.

Common signs of exhaust trouble include:

  • A loud roaring or blowing noise

  • Rattling from underneath the car

  • The smell of fumes

  • Reduced fuel economy

  • A low-hanging or dragging exhaust

If any of these crop up, it’s worth nipping in. We can spot a crack or rust patch in minutes.

A Little History of the Nissan Micra in the UK: nissan-micra-exhaust-halifax

The Nissan Micra has been a firm favourite on British roads for decades. It first appeared here in the early 1980s, winning drivers over with its reliability, tiny running costs, and simple engineering. The K10 model especially earned a reputation for lasting forever — you still see them in the wild if you’re lucky.

By the time the early 2000s rolled around, the Micra had become a proper household name, especially amongst first-time drivers, retirees, and anyone wanting a cheap and cheerful runaround. They were built at Nissan’s Sunderland plant for years, helping to cement Nissan as one of the UK’s major car manufacturers.

Even today, the Micra remains a common sight around Halifax, and they come through our workshop regularly — usually for simple jobs like exhausts, brakes, or tyres.

It’s one of those dependable little cars that just gets on with the job.

Thinking Ahead to Spring: nissan-micra-exhaust-halifax

As I chatted to the Micra’s owner while Dale finished the job, he said he couldn’t wait for the warmer weather—fewer potholes, fewer breakdowns, and a chance to get out and about without freezing. That reminded me that our Thornwick Bay holiday home will soon be open again for spring and summer stays.
There’s a lovely page on the Lucky Paws site showing the Flamborough walks — well worth a look if you fancy a peaceful getaway after a winter of dodging potholes and exhaust-rattling roads!

Citroen C1 for New Exhaust System Fitting

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Citroen C1 for New Exhaust System Fitting

Citroen C1 for New Exhaust System Fitting
Citroen C1 for New Exhaust System Fitting

Citroen C1 for New Exhaust System Fitting

Citroen C1 and the Case of the Blowing Exhaust

The other week at Pellon Tyres we had a little Citroen C1 come rolling in, sounding more like a tractor than a small city car. The poor thing had an exhaust system that was blowing louder than a brass band on Whit Friday. The customer was mortified, but to us it’s all in a day’s work.

Now, a blowing exhaust is one of those things that creeps up on most motorists. You don’t usually wake up one morning to find it’s completely dropped off – it’s a gradual process. Exhaust systems are constantly battling against the great British weather, road salt, potholes, and those speed bumps that seem to be breeding all over Halifax. Eventually, rust takes hold, joints loosen, or a weld gives way. Before you know it, your lovely quiet runabout is growling away like an old diesel bus.

Another common culprit is the flexipipe— that little section designed to take some of the movement and vibration of the engine. They’re handy things, but once they start to split, they make a right racket. Add in a few knocks from stones or the odd kerb, and you’ve got yourself a noisy problem.

Apart from being a nuisance to the ears, a damaged exhaust can also mean poor fuel economy, increased emissions, and, of course, an MOT failure. Additionally, there’s a possibility of hazardous gases infiltrating the cabin, a scenario that no one desires.

A Bit About the Citroen C1 Citroen C1 for New Exhaust System Fitting

Citroen C1 for New Exhaust System Fitting
Citroen C1 for New Exhaust System Fitting

The Citroen C1 is now a cracking little motor for nipping about town. First launched back in 2005, it was part of a joint venture between Peugeot, Citroen, and Toyota. You’ll probably know its close relatives, the Peugeot 107 and Toyota Aygo. They all rolled off the same production line in the Czech Republic – just given different badges and a few tweaks so you knew which one you’d bought.

The C1 has always been aimed at city drivers – compact, light on fuel, and easy to park in tight spots where a bigger car just wouldn’t fit. It doesn’t pretend to be flashy, but it delivers exactly what it promises: affordable motoring with a touch of French flair.

Over the years it’s had a few facelifts and updates, but it’s still kept that dinky, cheeky look. This car is perfect for young drivers, second cars, or anyone who doesn’t fancy wrestling with a tank down King Cross Road.

Back to Our Noisy Visitor Citroen C1 for New Exhaust System Fitting

Citroen C1 for New Exhaust System Fitting
Citroen C1 for New Exhaust System Fitting

So, back to our C1 customer – after a bit of inspection up on the ramp, we found the exhaust had corroded around the joints and a section had gone completely. There’s nothing for it but to replace the lot. The customer drove away happy – and probably enjoyed the peace and quiet for the first time in weeks.

It’s a reminder that exhausts, though hidden away under your motor, are doing a tough job every time you turn the key. If you start to notice your car sounding louder than usual, or you get that tell-tale smell of fumes, don’t leave it too long. Pop in and we’ll soon sort it.

After all, a Citroen C1 should be a neat little car that hums along nicely – not something that makes you blush at the lights when it sounds like it’s about to take off.