Seized exhaust valves

W

wanner69

New member
Sorry if this has been posted before but I'm raging.
My car is a 2016, serviced every year at jag chester and only done 21,000. I noticed recently my active exhaust is not working so booked it in for a check. Turns out the valves have seized shut. The technicians reason is "lack of use" :o wtf. I drive more in dynamic mode than normal.
Dealership told me new back box required at nearly £2200 which I refuse to pay. They offered to pay 40% as a goodwill but I'm completely appalled that this is not deemed a mechanic failure/fault.
I spoke with JLR and got no joy from them.
This is all after I had a new steering rack last year at a cost of £3000 luckily done under warranty. I love this car but this is really leaving me with a sour taste. How can this be my fault? Fuming. Rant over thanks.
 
I understand your pain, but there are a few threads on here about this exact situation, so you're not alone.
 
As SCM says, there are a few threads on this site with some quite detailed information on how to find the valves and lubricate them.
I would be inclined to try this first, either yourself or asking an independent before even considering a new exhaust. Afterall, the exhaust is fine, it's just a shaft within a bearing that has gone stiff with a build up of muck from the exhaust to the point where the vacuum pump can not overcome the friction.
 
gasgas said:
that's why you need to switch on and off the exhaust every time you drive the car
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Why? The valves should open when you start up and close once the engine's warm, unless you use dynamic mode. I can't really see any point in the switch, except to make it quieter in dynamic mode, but if you really want quiet, don't use dynamic!
 
I find the switch very useful on motorways.
I can still have the dynamic responsiveness, but with the more tuned sounding noise that suits higher speeds.
That said, for all non-motorway journeys I just pull it into Dynamic mode and leave the valves open all the time to increase the smiles per gallon.
 
wanner69 said:
I noticed recently my active exhaust is not working so booked it in for a check. Turns out the valves have seized shut. The technicians reason is "lack of use" :o wtf. I drive more in dynamic mode than normal.
Dealership told me new back box required at nearly £2200 which I refuse to pay.
Click to expand...


If you’re using dynamic mode or the active exhaust button more than normal mode, that’s probably the technician’s reason being lack of use. This is because the exhaust valves are fully open for the majority of the time but they need to be opening and closing more often to help prevent them from seizing up, so normal mode should also be used.

Here’s a few good links on the subject which may help you to resolve the issue without the need for purchasing a new back box......

https://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=4436

https://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=2799

https://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=4635

The attached photo is from one of the links and it gives you an idea of the internal and external mechanism of the active exhaust valves.
 

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Personally I’d snap up the 40% offer. Clearly states, in warranty T’s & C’s, exhausts not covered.

Purchased mine, Used Approved, with 8k miles & I’m certain the valves were seized then. After few months of ownership realised there was an issue but not covered. Had to pay for new rear box.
 
If you want a second-hand box then you're welcome to make an offer for mine...replaced it in 2018 with a VAP equivalent after covering 18k miles (car was bought new in September 2015) and it's been mounted on the garage wall ever since as some sort of trophy!
 
captainham said:
If you want a second-hand box then you're welcome to make an offer for mine...replaced it in 2018 with a VAP equivalent after covering 18k miles (car was bought new in September 2015) and it's been mounted on the garage wall ever since as some sort of trophy!
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Sorry to divert from the conversation, but how do you find the VAP exhaust? Did you go for the valvetronic one? I believe it sounds a little deeper and reduces the rapsy noise, according to Stuart@VAP anyway.

I had squeaky valves, but not stuck. I got some hight temp spray grease with a "straw" attached, removed the vacuum lines and sprayed it in, worked the valves by hand and the noise went and valve operation felt smoother. You could try this.
 
Just had my first out of warranty service and used my local regular independent garage. While the car was on the ramp I asked them to smear some high temp. grease on the exhaust valve actuator shaft and arm. Can't do any harm, but a dealer would refuse.
 
Certainly worth trying - I use a copper grease spray and also aim some down the actuator shaft, so it also has chance to drip through onto the butterfly spindle. If you wanted to really give it a chance you could jack each rear side up for 10 mins. and let gravity assist too. Can't remember which direction the arm pushes but pretty sure it's in line with the axle so you'd soon see which one to spray each time.
 
On the V6 they are angled up towards the middle of the car.

Photos taken from underneath looking towards the rear of the car.

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Ah thanks Gus yes - so no jacking required then, just a liberal spray and let it drip down your shaft.

As the... :o

Have to say, this is where my newly purchased plastic low rise ramps come in handy - already used for the diff oil change and will be put to use for the next spray session too, as it's very tight under there with the car on the ground - even have to take my glasses off to wedge my head in! 2 piece design also makes them easy to store.
 
Lunar said:
Ah thanks Gus yes - so no jacking required then, just a liberal spray and let it drip down your shaft.

As the... :o

Have to say, this is where my newly purchased plastic low rise ramps come in handy - already used for the diff oil change and will be put to use for the next spray session too, as it's very tight under there with the car on the ground - even have to take my glasses off to wedge my head in! 2 piece design also makes them easy to store.
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Fnarr fnarr!

I have a pair of hydraulic (foot pump) ramps permanently on the floor of the garage which I park my car on, they’re only 11cm high when down but can go up to just over 50cm which gives great access for me to drag my ageing carcass underneath!
 
I found out that I had a stuck exhaust valve when my diff oil was being changed. The mechanics freed it up and lubricated it and I went on my merry way - no need for a whole new exhaust. This was done at Barny Jones.
 
Main dealers don't like fixing things, they prefer to swap parts. Especially if you're paying!
There may be some main dealers that aren't like that, of course.
 
Thanks for all taking the time to reply guys, much appreciated. I'll be taking it to a local garage to see if they can free the valves up. I'll keep you posted, thanks again
 
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