Possible fault - engine/exhaust noise related
Discussion
I have the strangest possible problem with my V12VR
I upgraded the exhaust a good few thousand miles & months ago, by having the secondary cats replaced with straight through pipes and replacing the backbox with a valved dual chamber one - both bits of kit by Capristo. The fitting work was done by Stratstone Wilmslow who fitted a bypass switch at the same time. I was thrilled with the results
I tend to keep the switch 'on' so the flaps are permanently open. That is definitely working as if you flick the switch the other way, the car is much quieter straight away
However in flaps open mode (to me, 'normal'), the volume level has dropped considerably. I first noticed it immediately following a service at 10k miles. I've only done around 600 miles since and each time I've filled up with fuel, there does seem to be a marginal improvement but to nothing like the previous levels
I've asked Stratstone if there is anything they did during the service which may account for it and they can't come up with anything
The noise is still loud and certainly louder than a standard car but in purely relative terms, nothing like what it was. The high pitch scream that developed in the higher revs has almost disappeared. And it used to be that if you slightly over-revved in 1st gear from a standing start, the engine would go potty - now it's much more docile - the latter issue is not a -ve, but another indication that something has changed/
I did think it may be a dodgyy batch of fuel but surely 3-4 fills later that would be out of the system. Any thoughts anyone ?
I upgraded the exhaust a good few thousand miles & months ago, by having the secondary cats replaced with straight through pipes and replacing the backbox with a valved dual chamber one - both bits of kit by Capristo. The fitting work was done by Stratstone Wilmslow who fitted a bypass switch at the same time. I was thrilled with the results
I tend to keep the switch 'on' so the flaps are permanently open. That is definitely working as if you flick the switch the other way, the car is much quieter straight away
However in flaps open mode (to me, 'normal'), the volume level has dropped considerably. I first noticed it immediately following a service at 10k miles. I've only done around 600 miles since and each time I've filled up with fuel, there does seem to be a marginal improvement but to nothing like the previous levels
I've asked Stratstone if there is anything they did during the service which may account for it and they can't come up with anything
The noise is still loud and certainly louder than a standard car but in purely relative terms, nothing like what it was. The high pitch scream that developed in the higher revs has almost disappeared. And it used to be that if you slightly over-revved in 1st gear from a standing start, the engine would go potty - now it's much more docile - the latter issue is not a -ve, but another indication that something has changed/
I did think it may be a dodgyy batch of fuel but surely 3-4 fills later that would be out of the system. Any thoughts anyone ?
Edited by jonby on Monday 2nd December 12:03
Tony V12V said:
Don't know about the noise but this ^^^ may well help 
Re: being docile then maybe a software re-flash was done ?
Yes thanks Nick, I'll bear that in mind ! :-)Re: being docile then maybe a software re-flash was done ?
Tony, I was (and to an extent still am) convinced that may be the reason, e.g. different throttle map, but they say definitely not at Stratstone
Sounds like it's worth checking the valves from what one of our mutual friends advises so I'll have a go at doing that, though I'm not actually sure how....
jonby said:
Yes thanks Nick, I'll bear that in mind ! :-)
Tony, I was (and to an extent still am) convinced that may be the reason, e.g. different throttle map, but they say definitely not at Stratstone
Sounds like it's worth checking the valves from what one of our mutual friends advises so I'll have a go at doing that, though I'm not actually sure how....
You can normally hear the valves 'click' if you run the engine around 2500-3500 - have the drivers door open and cycle your switch - mine certainly do and that was how BR checked the switch operation when it was first fitted. The exhaust noise obviously changes at the same timeTony, I was (and to an extent still am) convinced that may be the reason, e.g. different throttle map, but they say definitely not at Stratstone
Sounds like it's worth checking the valves from what one of our mutual friends advises so I'll have a go at doing that, though I'm not actually sure how....
Tony V12V said:
jonby said:
Yes thanks Nick, I'll bear that in mind ! :-)
Tony, I was (and to an extent still am) convinced that may be the reason, e.g. different throttle map, but they say definitely not at Stratstone
Sounds like it's worth checking the valves from what one of our mutual friends advises so I'll have a go at doing that, though I'm not actually sure how....
You can normally hear the valves 'click' if you run the engine around 2500-3500 - have the drivers door open and cycle your switch - mine certainly do and that was how BR checked the switch operation when it was first fitted. The exhaust noise obviously changes at the same timeTony, I was (and to an extent still am) convinced that may be the reason, e.g. different throttle map, but they say definitely not at Stratstone
Sounds like it's worth checking the valves from what one of our mutual friends advises so I'll have a go at doing that, though I'm not actually sure how....
IanV12VR said:
One thought out of left field but probably nothing to do with it at all - do you remember there was a recall for faulty throttle arms back in the summer. Mine was changed for a second time at it's recent service. That couldn't have affected your car could it?
Thanks Ian - I'e just had mine done for the second time too - apparently should make no difference to this issueGassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff