Exhaust flap motor actuator

Is this a common issue? I can hear some clicking sound coming from the back when standing outside by the exhaust, not sure if that relates to the flap. Mine is 2018 with no exhaust button.

The spring breaking free of the actuator is fairly common over time. It's of course close by a constant high heat source.

AMG-fan2018 said:

Is this a common issue? I can hear some clicking sound coming from the back when standing outside by the exhaust, not sure if that relates to the flap. Mine is 2018 with no exhaust button.

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Take a flashlight and look inside the right-rear exhaust pipe. You should clearly see the flap and when someone hits the gas, you should be able to see it open and close.

Is this flap problem covered by MB factory warranty? I can hear something was constantly clicking in the back, not sure if that's the exhaust flap. I originally thought it was the rearview camera cover.

AMG-fan2018 said:

Is this flap problem covered by MB factory warranty? I can hear something was constantly clicking in the back, not sure if that's the exhaust flap. I originally thought it was the rearview camera cover.

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It should be covered under warranty. Take it to the dealer if you are still under warranty.

that motor replacement was the last thing I had done under warranty. Didn't cost me a dime to replace. Next time will.

I ended up buying a new Audi one for $150, then sold my old spring for $60!

firx11 said:

i went ahead and ordered the audi actuator, lol. thanks in advance for finding that - didn't want to have to give up a left kidney for the mb one.

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audi actuator finally arrived and it works perfectly! thanks guys. car is quieter now and low end torque is improved (feel of the pants improvement 100%).

would highly recommend fixing it if you think yours is broke.

edit: in case anyone might find this useful: i replaced the rusted nuts with new stainless steel nuts and washers (size M5) and put a dab of loctite blue on each one.

firx11 said:

audi actuator finally arrived and it works perfectly! thanks guys. car is quieter now and low end torque is improved (feel of the pants improvement 100%).

would highly recommend fixing it if you think yours is broke.

edit: in case anyone might find this useful: i replaced the rusted nuts with new stainless steel nuts and washers (size M5) and put a dab of loctite blue on each one.

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Glad to hear about the Audi substitute: wish I knew that 11 months ago when I went to replace mine.
Also, for anyone who may try this: JB weld will not work to fix the spring (I tried, since it was a little cheaper than replacing the whole unit).

firx11 said:

audi actuator finally arrived and it works perfectly! thanks guys. car is quieter now and low end torque is improved (feel of the pants improvement 100%).

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Can you explain why the low end torque is improved with the Audi actuator? Not sure if I like the "car is quieter now" part...lol

Generally low end torque is enhanced with extra back pressure in the exhaust system.

yep what wayne said and it is quieter now since the valve itself isn't flopping in the exhaust breeze lol since my spring was broken.

edit: i do remember thinking that it sounded "meaner" on first start up after i installed the new actuator, and i believe i was simply hearing what it should have sounded like all along, with a properly functioning valve. the low end torque improvement was startling to me: with it in comfort mode and almost fully warmed up, sprint booster v3 on setting 2 in "sport mode", ESC full off and a quick blaster to about 3500-4000 rpm, the entire car lost traction and "squiggled" for lack of a better term until it finally had traction again and continued on its way. that was awesome, lol. fully warmed up in sport (or even comfort at this point at times), v3 on "race", ESC full off once it spools in 2nd or 3rd it just breaks traction like crazy. it wasn't doing that before the valve fix.

Matt65 said:

Audi/vw reference is 4h0133246j

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Thanks for this info. My spring was not broken but motor not working so I have ordered the Audi part.

Is it time for a FS section ?

Hi all, sorry for dragging up an old thread, I have a 2015 A45 amg pre f/l, just confirming (as i would imagine) the exhaust flap actuator would be the same on mine as it is on the GLA? hoping to order the Audi unit if this is the case (i love that life hack!)

Ive spent over a few thousand trying to resolve an issue where the car just splutters and back fires everytime it hits around 4k rpm, not even on heavy load (although its a lot worse when i put my foot down), ive changed cam shaft sensors, reverted back to the original air intake, plugs, leads the lot. I even bought that blank kit to try and bypass it to no avail. the only faults coming back are all leading to exhaust flap actuator. Mercedes told me they'd "try and save me money" and took it off to free it up, £600 later driving home no change. Im taking matters into my own hands 😁

so yes, just confirming that audi actuator would work the same on mine?
Thankyou

Jimbo45 above in the thread has a GLA45 AMG and the Benz-similar but less expensive Audi mechanism worked fine for him. But of course procure from a dealer/vendor that allows returns if your "pre-f/l" is somehow different.

TheHue said:

Hi all, sorry for dragging up an old thread, I have a 2015 A45 amg pre f/l, just confirming (as i would imagine) the exhaust flap actuator would be the same on mine as it is on the GLA? hoping to order the Audi unit if this is the case (i love that life hack!)

Ive spent over a few thousand trying to resolve an issue where the car just splutters and back fires everytime it hits around 4k rpm, not even on heavy load (although its a lot worse when i put my foot down), ive changed cam shaft sensors, reverted back to the original air intake, plugs, leads the lot. I even bought that blank kit to try and bypass it to no avail. the only faults coming back are all leading to exhaust flap actuator. Mercedes told me they'd "try and save me money" and took it off to free it up, £600 later driving home no change. Im taking matters into my own hands 😁

so yes, just confirming that audi actuator would work the same on mine?
Thankyou

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Huey52 said:

Jimbo45 above in the thread has a GLA45 AMG and the Benz-similar but less expensive Audi mechanism worked fine for him. But of course procure from a dealer/vendor that allows returns if your "pre-f/l" is somehow different.

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Thanks Huey,

Do these Actuators have another name? I can't even find a Mercedes one to buy even if i was going to go with the original, I was going to look up the price and hopefully a comparison photo so i could marry the 2 up to see if they looked similar, but results for "a45 amg exhaust flap actuator" or "W176 exhaust actuator" aren't bringing anything up.

Audi calls it: Exhaust Valve Servo Motor

The only Benz I could find is: Mercedes GT 63 S AMG X290 2019 Front Exhaust Valve Actuator Motor 18 19 20 21 | | eBay
Not the same vehicle but likely the same part. Hopefully a GLA45 owner who has replaced with OEM will stop by ...

TheHue said:

Thanks Huey,

Do these Actuators have another name? I can't even find a Mercedes one to buy even if i was going to go with the original, I was going to look up the price and hopefully a comparison photo so i could marry the 2 up to see if they looked similar, but results for "a45 amg exhaust flap actuator" or "W176 exhaust actuator" aren't bringing anything up.

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Huey52 said:

Audi calls it: Exhaust Valve Servo Motor

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-volkswagen-audi-parts/exhaust-valve-servo-motor-priced-each/4h0133246j/

The only Benz I could find is: Mercedes GT 63 S AMG X290 2019 Front Exhaust Valve Actuator Motor 18 19 20 21 | | eBay
Not the same vehicle but likely the same part. Hopefully a GLA45 owner who has replaced with OEM will stop by ...

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Yes i didnt have any luck finding one either.
Hopefully someone will come along that knows.

Thanks again Huey

MB PN: 176-906-05-01 for OEM