Pfl S3 Exhaust flaps and Carista

[Wallbrik]

So I have PFL S3,

It seems my exhaust flaps are permanently open... Can you guys tell me if setup with flaps to operate normally, if you change individual mode for the exhaust sound will it open the flaps? Assuming also that dynamic opens flaps fully regardless of revs?

I've just brought a carista dongle and the interface is great, I have just brought my car and I want to close the exhaust flaps to normal setting, as others have said its a bit drone at about 2k which is where it sits most of the time in auto comfort or eco mode and when you gently accelerate with boost it gets louder.
I can't find the setting in carista anywhere for this. I haven't paid for the subscription (only because my Google account froze up), but it didn't look like it was hiding settings because of this. More when you dove into a setting the final save needed the subscription...

And to clear up other options.... The connectors on the exhaust on both sides are connected. The exhaust all looks std, and it definitely blows out all 4 pipes all the time. I shoved a section of garden hose down each pile and nothing in way until it hits back box. Can't hear any flaps opening closing when pressing through different driving modes. I remember on my RS you could hear the flaps operating easily.

Thanks... Kev.

 

[Wallbrik]

OK so to help anyone else. I contacted carista and they got back to me with a link to there beta version and this has the exhaust flap option in it. And for any beta features you don't need to be subscribed t use.

Bad news for me it didn't do anything.

I have no difference in sound when I click through driving modes, no sound of flaps opening closing..... The exhaust is std. Think it might be a trip to my local indy let them take a look.

 

[JimboBlue]

I have much the same issue with my 2018 S3 that I’ve had for just over a year, I find it intrusively noisy when accelerating gently between 1800-2500, it doesn’t matter which driving mode I select, it’s the same. I bought an OBDeleven dongle to check exhaust flap operation and that looks like it’s working ok.

When I picked the car up (from an Audi main dealer) it was ridiculously noisy and after I got home I found that the previous owner had removed the centre box/resonator (dealer obviously missed this on their 149 point check…) so they had the car back and fitted a new resonator which improved it but I still think it shouldn’t be this noisy when cruising around, it’s really annoying on motorway as at 65-70 you get a horrible droning noise when accelerating gently to pass slower traffic.

I wonder whether the new resonator isn’t fitted correctly and is maybe blowing or something or if any other part of the exhaust system has been modified, I’m also thinking to get an indi specialist to have a look as it’s starting to spoil the whole ownership experience for me.

 

[stubbly46]

I have much the same issue with my 2018 S3 that I’ve had for just over a year, I find it intrusively noisy when accelerating gently between 1800-2500, it doesn’t matter which driving mode I select, it’s the same. I bought an OBDeleven dongle to check exhaust flap operation and that looks like it’s working ok.

When I picked the car up (from an Audi main dealer) it was ridiculously noisy and after I got home I found that the previous owner had removed the centre box/resonator (dealer obviously missed this on their 149 point check…) so they had the car back and fitted a new resonator which improved it but I still think it shouldn’t be this noisy when cruising around, it’s really annoying on motorway as at 65-70 you get a horrible droning noise when accelerating gently to pass slower traffic.

I wonder whether the new resonator isn’t fitted correctly and is maybe blowing or something or if any other part of the exhaust system has been modified, I’m also thinking to get an indi specialist to have a look as it’s starting to spoil the whole ownership experience for me.

Have you pushed a bit of hose up the pipes to see if the flaps are closed? When I unlock my car I hear the flaps operate.
where did you check your settings in OBDEleven. Did you have the car in Dynamic mode when you turned them back on again?

 

[stubbly46]

Have you pushed a bit of hose up the pipes to see if the flaps are closed? When I unlock my car I hear the flaps operate.
where did you check your settings in OBDEleven. Did you have the car in Dynamic mode when you turned them back on again?

Another setting to think about is disabling the soundaktor which produces fake engine noise

 

[JimboBlue]

Hi Stubbly,

I've used the app and long coding in OBDEleven to disable and re-enable the exhaust flaps and all worked ok, I've also used a little USB inspection camera to check that the flaps do close and all looks fine. I'm more and more convinced that my issue is that the centre resonator hasn't been refitted properly, I'm sure I've read on another post somewhere that when the resonator has been cut out you can't just use regular clamps to re-join it as the diameter of the two pipes is different, i think it might be leaking/blowing a little as at certain revs I can feel it resonating through the car. I'm going to take it to a local exhaust place so they can take a look. Will report back!

 

[stubbly46]

Hi Stubbly,

I've used the app and long coding in OBDEleven to disable and re-enable the exhaust flaps and all worked ok, I've also used a little USB inspection camera to check that the flaps do close and all looks fine. I'm more and more convinced that my issue is that the centre resonator hasn't been refitted properly, I'm sure I've read on another post somewhere that when the resonator has been cut out you can't just use regular clamps to re-join it as the diameter of the two pipes is different, i think it might be leaking/blowing a little as at certain revs I can feel it resonating through the car. I'm going to take it to a local exhaust place so they can take a look. Will report back!

Just a thought but maybe the exhaust is very close to the bodywork and is slightly touching at certain revs, the pipes might need twisting and tweaking for a good fit, decent clamps will help greatly.