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-   -   550 Stuck Muffler Valve (https://5series.net/forums/e60-discussion-2/550-stuck-muffler-valve-39291/)

Biff Trout 04-22-2007 04:44 PM

Noticed that the vacuum operated butterfly valve at the rear of the muffler on my 550 was stuck in the closed position. Applied lube to actuator shaft and to pivot and it worked free.

BUT . . .

This is not a practical solution given heat at point of the valve; i.e heat will cook off the lube that has been applied.

Has anyone else with a 545 or 550 experienced this problem? If so, what was the solution?


(for those who don't know about it, and I am speaking only with respect to the V8's, only the driver side pipe of the two rear exhaust pipes is utilized for exhausting engine gases except when engine management system says open up - butterfly valve is then actuated and second pipe becomes active also)

JDN 04-22-2007 05:33 PM

Sounds like a problem that could recur and should be covered under warranty. If access was easier, a Dremel might work.

How do you know that it is not opening? Doesn't it only open when running pretty hard?

Biff Trout 04-22-2007 06:54 PM

It was stuck in the closed position. It took a great deal of effort to open the valve at all and valve only moved freely after the lube application and much "exercising". Normally, valve moves freely with some resistance from the vacuum actuator.

kscarrol 04-22-2007 07:05 PM


Originally Posted by Biff Trout' post='416703' date='Apr 22 2007, 09:54 PM
It was stuck in the closed position. It took a great deal of effort to open the valve at all and valve only moved freely after the lube application and much "exercising". Normally, valve moves freely with some resistance from the vacuum actuator.

Right, I think what JDN was getting at was were there some symptoms that caused you to look at the valve? Was engine acting funny? This is not something I would think to look at unless there was some apparent problem.

Biff Trout 04-23-2007 07:35 AM


Originally Posted by kscarrol' post='416705' date='Apr 22 2007, 10:05 PM
Right, I think what JDN was getting at was were there some symptoms that caused you to look at the valve? Was engine acting funny? This is not something I would think to look at unless there was some apparent problem.

Was the curiosity of my 12 yo son. He had just washed car and asked why exhaust only exited one of the pipes. I knelt down to explain the function of the valve and show him its operation and found the stuck valve.

kscarrol 04-23-2007 07:45 AM


Originally Posted by Biff Trout' post='416835' date='Apr 23 2007, 10:35 AM
Was the curiosity of my 12 yo son. He had just washed car and asked why exhaust only exited one of the pipes. I knelt down to explain the function of the valve and show him its operation and found the stuck valve.

Gotcha, just curious if you had noticed any kind of performance related issues. By the way, you should stop by Peake if you have the chance. I was out there Saturday and they just got in a Carbon Black LCI 550. Very nice looking car, making me think it's time to upgrade...

Biff Trout 04-23-2007 02:39 PM


Originally Posted by kscarrol' post='416841' date='Apr 23 2007, 10:45 AM
Gotcha, just curious if you had noticed any kind of performance related issues. By the way, you should stop by Peake if you have the chance. I was out there Saturday and they just got in a Carbon Black LCI 550. Very nice looking car, making me think it's time to upgrade...

No performance issue noticed. Will keep my eye on it.

Have you checked yours?

JDN 04-23-2007 03:45 PM


Originally Posted by Biff Trout' post='416835' date='Apr 23 2007, 10:35 AM
Was the curiosity of my 12 yo son. He had just washed car and asked why exhaust only exited one of the pipes. I knelt down to explain the function of the valve and show him its operation and found the stuck valve.

The normal operation of the flap is to be closed with ignition off or when idling.

kscarrol 04-23-2007 03:54 PM


Originally Posted by Biff Trout' post='416975' date='Apr 23 2007, 05:39 PM
No performance issue noticed. Will keep my eye on it.

Have you checked yours?

No, never checked. But then again never had anything that would cause me to check, hence the question about any symptoms.

Biff Trout 04-24-2007 08:09 AM

Had the exhaust system off the car yesterday to perform adjustment to shifter and further examined the valve.

No corrosion, no evident reason for it to have been stuck. Hmm?


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