Stage II Exhaust Vibration Driving Me Crazy

[wantalotus]

I've traced an extremely annoying vibration noise to the stainless tailpipe shrouds of my stage II exhaust. It happens at about 4,000 rpm. If I grasp the tailpipe in my hand (w/ leather glove) and rev, the noise is eliminated. at first I thought it was the perforated liner vibrating against the stainless shroud where they join together. I put high temp silicone rubber into that area in an attempt to join and/or dampen, didn't help. Now I'm thinking the vibration might be generating from the other end of the shroud, closer to where the tailpipe "Y's". This is an awfull sound, I've got to get to find and fix the cause.

Anyone else experience this?

[GaryD]

I had something like that on a stock muffler - Criswell replaced it. Not sure where the rattle was coming from but they sad it had hapened before and suspected something loose inside the muffler. I guess bad welds or something...

[char]

Take it to the dealer and have it replaced. The Stage II welds are a known problem that are covered under warrenty.

[wantalotus]

I think I finally found the source of the vibration noise. It looks like it's from the stainless bracket that secures the passengers side tailpipe to the muffler. It's skip welded to the tailpipe but between the welds there wasn't sufficient clearance between the bracket and the tailpipe. Apparently it was just close enough that vibration would create a chatter between the two surfaces. It sounded like it came from within the tailpipe extention but it didn't. For now I've dampened it with high temp silicone but eventually will remove the muffler and weld it completely.

[Icedog_16]

I wonder if I have the same issue. I have a Stage II. My noise occurs (or occurred as I took it to the dealer and requested it be fixed and I haven't been able to tell whether I can hear it or not) at about 4K rpm on overrun. It sounds almost like the cicadas you hear on a hot summer day.

[VINSTA]

I have about 1500 miles on my Stage II and it developed a nasty resonance at start-up and sporadically during normal operation. I dropped the diffuser and found that the weld at the back of the tail pipe to bracket area is broken. Touching the tip of the tailpipe with finger pressure stops the noise immediately. I installed a replacement unit (warranty) and the problem is gone. The weld on the new muffler doesn't look any better than the one that broke, so I expect this one to fail as well. Apparently these new Janspeed versions of the Stage II's are not much better than the originals that were know for bracket cracks.

2006 Elise Sport #46

[Serebo1]

Originally Posted by wantalotus

I think I finally found the source of the vibration noise. It looks like it's from the stainless bracket that secures the passengers side tailpipe to the muffler. It's skip welded to the tailpipe but between the welds there wasn't sufficient clearance between the bracket and the tailpipe. Apparently it was just close enough that vibration would create a chatter between the two surfaces. It sounded like it came from within the tailpipe extention but it didn't. For now I've dampened it with high temp silicone but eventually will remove the muffler and weld it completely.

Very common problem. Have it done at the dealership under warranty, so you're covered when it happens again.

[klingk]

Started yesterday, noticeable buzzing when the engine is above 3-4K under load.

It's a stage II.

I'm the 2nd owner, but I assume this would still be covered under warranty ?

Anybody have experience with the dealers in Waltham, MA or Greenwich, CT they are the closest ( except for Valenti, which I got an odd vibe on a test drive )

Also any good guess on the cost of a 7500 mile service ( in my case would include brake fluid change as well ) ?

[scottyb]

Originally Posted by klingk

Started yesterday, noticeable buzzing when the engine is above 3-4K under load.

It's a stage II.

I'm the 2nd owner, but I assume this would still be covered under warranty ?

Anybody have experience with the dealers in Waltham, MA or Greenwich, CT they are the closest ( except for Valenti, which I got an odd vibe on a test drive )

Also any good guess on the cost of a 7500 mile service ( in my case would include brake fluid change as well ) ?

Go to HRM. They'll swap it for you. Maybe a 30 minute ordeal. If it isn't covered, any muffler shop should be able to fix the weld for you.

[def]

Originally Posted by VINSTA

Apparently these new Janspeed versions of the Stage II's are not much better than the originals that were know for bracket cracks.

DOH - I think if this happens to me I will just have it welded by someone, and be done with it, instead of having to deal with replacements. Love the stage 2, I don't want to give mine up!

[Icedog_16]

Originally Posted by klingk

Started yesterday, noticeable buzzing when the engine is above 3-4K under load.

It's a stage II.

I'm the 2nd owner, but I assume this would still be covered under warranty ?

Anybody have experience with the dealers in Waltham, MA or Greenwich, CT they are the closest ( except for Valenti, which I got an odd vibe on a test drive )

Also any good guess on the cost of a 7500 mile service ( in my case would include brake fluid change as well ) ?

I don't have my service records here to verify, but I had the aforementioned buzzing noise and, IIRC, it turned out to be the belt tensioner.

[Toad]

I have the original (Not Janspeed) Stage II; welds are fine, no rattles...love it.


Jeff