FiveHundred Loud Exhaust

Yep, exhaust flaps are a common culprit for those symptoms on Fords. They're designed to reduce noise, especially during cold starts. When they fail, you'll definitely notice a louder exhaust and potentially some engine noise. It's likely the flap actuator is defective, or the flap itself is stuck or broken. This can create quite a bit of exhaust blockage or, in other cases, release the pressure when it shouldn't. Have you checked the flap actuator visually? Sometimes you can see if it's disconnected or damaged.

Thanks for the quick response! I haven't checked the actuator myself, to be honest. Where exactly would I find it, and is it something I could potentially fix myself without special tools? I'm not super experienced, but I'm willing to give it a shot if it's straightforward.

Okay, I hear you. The exhaust flap actuator is usually located near the exhaust system, often close to the muffler or resonator. It might be a bit tricky to access without lifting the car. While you might be able to spot something obviously disconnected, diagnosing it properly often requires more specialized tools and knowledge. Given the symptoms and the error code, and your relative lack of experience, I'd advise against diving too deep yourself. A broken exhaust component left in place for too long also could lead to further damage to the exhaust system. It's probably best to get a professional to take a closer look and confirm if the flap is indeed defective. They can also check for any other exhaust components issues at the same time.

Alright, I appreciate the advice. You're probably right, I don't want to make it worse. I took it to the workshop, and they confirmed the exhaust flap was indeed defective. They replaced it, and the total cost was around 190€. The noise is gone, and the engine runs smoothly again. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!