550 Stuck Muffler Valve
04-22-2007, 04:44 PM
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My Ride: 06 550-6spd
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)
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)
04-22-2007, 05:33 PM
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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?
How do you know that it is not opening? Doesn't it only open when running pretty hard?
04-22-2007, 06:54 PM
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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.
04-22-2007, 07:05 PM
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My Ride: E90 M3
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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.
04-23-2007, 07:35 AM
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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.
04-23-2007, 07:45 AM
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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.
04-23-2007, 02:39 PM
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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...
Have you checked yours?
04-23-2007, 03:45 PM
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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.
04-23-2007, 03:54 PM
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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?
Have you checked yours?
04-24-2007, 08:09 AM
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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?
No corrosion, no evident reason for it to have been stuck. Hmm?