dieterschmid16

Mercedes GLS exhaust flap issue

My 2018 Mercedes GLS with a gasoline engine has a problem. It has 211377 km on the clock and I'm getting an error related to the exhaust flaps. The exhaust noise is louder than usual, and the engine sounds kind of noisy after a cold start. From what I've read, it seems like the exhaust flap might be defective. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm trying to figure out what to do. The error memory has an error stored. I'm worried about the exhaust valves, the whole exhaust system, the flap motor, and the flap actuator. I'm dreading a huge repair bill.

A 2018 Mercedes GLS owner reported an issue with the exhaust flaps, resulting in louder exhaust noise and a noisy engine after a cold start. The problem was suspected to be a defective exhaust flap or actuator. Suggestions included checking the flap motor, actuator, and wiring connections, as these components are known to fail. Ultimately, the owner took the vehicle to a workshop where the exhaust flap was replaced, resolving the issue.

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4 comment(s)

Louder exhaust noise, eh? Sounds familiar! Had a similar issue with my old Audi A6. Is it a constant drone, or does it change with RPMs? Could be the flap actuator acting up. Those things are notorious for failing. Did you check the wiring to the flap motor? Sometimes it's just a loose connection. Exhaust valves are unlikely to be the cause. Before you go replacing the whole exhaust system, take a peek at the flap motor and its connections. Is the flap stuck open or closed? Knowing that could save you a lot of time and money. What kind of error code are you getting?

Thanks for the quick reply! I will check the wiring. To answer your question, the noise seems to be there all the time, but it gets a bit louder when I accelerate. I haven't checked the error code yet, but I will do that now. If it is the flap actuator, is it something I can replace myself, or am I better off taking it to a mechanic?

Alright, constant noise that gets louder with acceleration points even more to those exhaust flaps being stuck open, or the flap actuator not doing its job. Honestly, swapping the flap actuator could be a DIY job, but it can be fiddly. Do you have the right tools and a bit of experience? Plus, you might need to clear the error code afterwards. If you're not comfortable with that, a workshop is probably the safer bet. They can diagnose it properly and make sure everything's working as it should. Better to be safe than sorry, right?

Okay, thanks for the advice! I took it to the workshop, and you were right – it was the exhaust flap. They replaced it, and the error is gone, also the exhaust noise. The final repair cost was 190€. Appreciate your help!

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MERCEDES

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GLS