Andrew at Diesel Tech doesn't think it is related. Rather, Murphy's law (He can be a P@#%*K that Murphy). Apparently this pipe does crack and break through vibration where it runs around the back of the engine. Speaking of Murphy's Law. This happened 12 k's from home on the first day of a central Aus trip. So trip has been delayed 24 hr's but situation could have been much worse. So maybe he's not a bad bloke after all.