the noise...it flutters dammit!!

[kiwi_bloke]

hey guys...just another boring and mundane post about the flutter. Its a real loud flutter. Not present at idle, but present under acceleration, load and at cruising speed...although very loud under load. It is present at the same volume when got or cold. I do notice a fluttering at the tailpipe when the engine is cold. It goes away when hot.

I have patched a couple of holes in the exhaust, and around the manifold and this has quietened it up quite a bit. The noise sounds like its coming from one of the flanges just behind the manifold...is this likely? Is there any way to check for definate before i rip it appart??

cheers Lads

Josh

 

[kiwi_bloke]

keeping it at the top!

ok its not the flanges, i buged em up with exhaust sealer. I listened under the car and the noise is comeing from where the two pipes from the manifold go into one (a y joint)

 

[jaymanek]

Where it joins the downpipe??? Thats where i always get a leak...

 

[kiwi_bloke]

its not leaking

after crawling under the car again, getting wet, muddy and cursing at the car I have asertained that there is DEFINATLY no leak. :x The noise can be heard forward of the front muffler. Putting my ear to the pipes starting below the manifold the noise is heard, as i move back toward the front muffler it gets quieter untill the front muffler where it goes 'bye bye'.

Is there any chance someone could describe how the exhaust should be set up on a 1989 230e (i think its the same on the te's) or post a pic showing it? I think the front section has been replaced at some stage....

is the exhaust system the same for a 260e of the same year? I notiice my car is the only one ive seen with out the heat guards / sheilds around the exhaust...

cheers

Josh

 

[kiwi_bloke]

problem found and will be solved tomora

Hey boys, thought id let ya know what was causing the flutter. Some IDIOT had replaced the front part of the exhaust. There were harsh bends in the exhaust and different diameters of pipe used. Its gonna cost me 203 new zealand dollars (something like 60 british pount?)....Its alot for an exhaust but itll be rewarding to hear her pur like a true merc

 

[kid-jensen]

Kiwi bloke,

You looked into the cost of a stainless section?

They're normally about 60% more than the mild steel ones.

Must be worth it if you're going to keep her long-term.

 

[kiwi_bloke]

its back

i got it back....turned out the pipes that someone had replaced the exhuast with were way to small and were robbing the engine of power and making a chuffing noise. ie. two 1.5 inch pipes joining into a 1.5 inch pipe....

Its got low end power increased compared to wat it used to be. Although im still getting a real enginy noise and a high pitch "ring" under load. The guy that custom fitted the exhaust said something about the pipes not being double skined? or not having guards around them?