Stasis exhaust screeching sound?

[ChrisM]

Just had my stasis tune and exhaust done Friday. Everything sounded/felt awesome for the 1st 5 minutes... Eventually I hit the highway and started noticing a high frequency rattling sound from inside the cabin, not a drone noise, but a kind of "tinkling" sound and sometimes like a skate sharpener (for those that play hockey) or a saw. It's definitely a rattling sound coming from the exhaust though. The sound disappears when I am on the throttle, and then returns when coasting. This is not the bad part though. The worst sound is when I am slowing down or coasting down hills, there is this ear piercing screeching sound, which is what I tried to show in the video. It sounds like bad brakes, but it does it when I am not on the brakes as well. Also sounds like an owl dying. Unfortunately I noticed the sound as the dealership was closing, and I live 75 miles away from them. I talked to them Saturday, and hopefully they will be sending someone down to pick up the car tomorrow, but this has definitely ruined my first impression of the tune/exhaust. I'm sure I'll love it when this is fixed, but kind of a depressing maiden voyage…

The rattling is there before the screeching, you just cant hear it in this super high quality iphone video


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ11pQgwltM

[afig367]

That sounds awful. Odd that you'd hear that particular sound only on coast through, not throttle. In my own experience, most exhaust issues are magnified the more you throw the gas on. Are you sure it's not a pebble stuck between the inside of the rotor and the brake shield? I had a screeching sound a few months ago (not as loud as your video), and that's what it was. Usually the pebble eventually gets ground down and falls out, and that's the end of it.

Anyway, take comfort in your warranty. With STaSIS, a sound like that is only "depressing." But if you had it with GIAC, APR, AWE, etc., you'd probably be feeling suicidal.

[AQuattro]

Anyway, take comfort in your warranty. With STaSIS, a sound like that is only "depressing." But if you had it with GIAC, APR, AWE, etc., you'd probably be feeling suicidal.

All of the companies you've mentioned warranty their products so I don't quite understand why their would be a difference. If anything I've seen more complainants lately regarding Stasis' warranty service.

[afig367]

All of the companies you've mentioned warranty their products so I don't quite understand why their would be a difference. If anything I've seen more complainants lately regarding Stasis' warranty service.

I was referring to warranty coverage due to problems caused by (or says Audi) the mods. There have been plenty of guys on here with problems no reasonable person would say were caused by whatever mod was done (carbon buildup in the engine, even A/C work) that was denied because of intakes, TD1, etc. At least with STaSIS, you're covered.

I know there's been a lot of "talk" about STaSIS warranty issues, and I could've been absent from the boards at the time, but I've been unable to find anyone who said, "STaSIS denied my warranty claim." Granted, STaSIS may have fought with Audi for a little bit before caving (hence, certain dealers dropping the relationship), but when push comes to shove, the only instance I know of where STaSIS denied any claim was a bumper on a V8 R8 that had melted due to **a different company's** exhaust.

[Ed99]

That doesn't sound normal bro. You need to get it checked out.

[dakine01]

My Stasis exhaust leaks, nothing like this, but under load. I took it back to the dealer that installed it and confirmed the leak and said they couldn't do anything. Called Stasis, they said to take pics of the clamps because the dealer might not have installed it correctly. Dealer is no longer a Stasis dealer and wanted nothing to do with them.
So, after going back and forth a few other times, I was fed up and am having AWE installed tomorrow.

[ChrisM]

I really don't think it has to do with the brakes or brake pebble. I tried coasting downhill in neutral also (because I wasn't sure if the hill descent feature uses the brakes or the engine to keep the same speed downhill), and it still makes that god awful sound. Applying throttle takes the rattling sound away, but not sure if it has an effect on the "screech". I really can't imagine having to pay a cent to get this fixed, since it was broken 5 minutes after leaving the dealership. The dealership has seemed cool so far (they actually forgot to charge me for labor for the install, and just said oh well), so I can't imagine too much of a fuss. It just sucks that right now it is pretty much undrivable due to this embarrassing sound. I'll let you know the outcome and who ends up covering it (STaSIS vs Audi) if anything needs replaced.

[Tweakophyte]

Does it feel like anything is rubbing on the car frame? Can you feel the vibrations anywhere? Through the wheel or brake? Band saw in the back seat?

[100Daily]

My Stasis exhaust leaks, nothing like this, but under load. I took it back to the dealer that installed it and confirmed the leak and said they couldn't do anything. Called Stasis, they said to take pics of the clamps because the dealer might not have installed it correctly. Dealer is no longer a Stasis dealer and wanted nothing to do with them.
So, after going back and forth a few other times, I was fed up and am having AWE installed tomorrow.

Same exact thing also happened to me. Every single clamp was leaking after "professional" installation. It sounded terrible so I brought it back. They put the car up in the air and the mechanic showed me how every bolt was tight but it still leaked. I then had to get under my car and take every section apart and added exhaust paste because the stasis dealer washed his hands of the situation. Plus I had a bad baffle. That exhaust was total shit, was way over priced, and the dealer sucked.

[100Daily]

I was referring to warranty coverage due to problems caused by (or says Audi) the mods. There have been plenty of guys on here with problems no reasonable person would say were caused by whatever mod was done (carbon buildup in the engine, even A/C work) that was denied because of intakes, TD1, etc. At least with STaSIS, you're covered.

I know there's been a lot of "talk" about STaSIS warranty issues, and I could've been absent from the boards at the time, but I've been unable to find anyone who said, "STaSIS denied my warranty claim." Granted, STaSIS may have fought with Audi for a little bit before caving (hence, certain dealers dropping the relationship), but when push comes to shove, the only instance I know of where STaSIS denied any claim was a bumper on a V8 R8 that had melted due to **a different company's** exhaust.

If you want more than "talk" call Prestige Imports (Audi dealer) in Lakewood Colorado. That is where I got my car Stasis tuned. Ask for service, then ask why they dropped Stasis for a first hand account. Prestige had a B8 2.0 engine blow, Stasis would not cover it so the dealer ended up eating the repair. Now Prestige doesnt carry Stasis because they don't honor their warranty. So there you go... And I have Stasis so its not like I am some hater.

Plus, a Stasis dealer (Peak Eurosport) also refused to acknowledge the obviously bad baffle in my Stasis Signatue exhaust. That is why I read this thread. I am curious how Stasis responds.

[BirdmanQ5]

Might be the Stasis technician trying to carve his way out with a buzz saw when he accidentally welded himself between the car and pipes.

[ChrisM]

Might be the Stasis technician trying to carve his way out with a buzz saw when he accidentally welded himself between the car and pipes.

He should have died by now though

[MrFunk]

Sounds like a train!
Not normal at all. I'm sure they will figure it out. It's not the tune. Sounds like they perhaps removed your wheels and put lugs that were too long or something strange.

[drew4392]

I had an issue with initial stasis exhaust install. It is fixed and totally fine, now. It was rubbing/banging against the heat shield (about the middle point of the exhaust piping). After heating and cooling a few times, the metal shapes and it started to rub. They re-aligned and it is perfect.

Let us know how it goes.

[Guitarmageddon]

Definitely agree with those saying it rubbed on heat shield/frame

I had an absolutely dreadful shop (funktion auto in sterling VA) do an exhaust/downpipe install for me on my a4 and failed to mention they wrenched the shit out of the downpipes/exhaust before giving up on the DP's, and it was way out of alignment and I was way out of cash and patience by the end of it. Turns out the exhaust was rubbing on the heatshield/ frame and I had a local exhaust guy cut out the bent section and install a new 6 inches or so of tube. Problem solved, but cost me way too much.

[ChrisM]

Thanks for all the replies and thoughts. I'll mention the heat shield thing to the dealership. They will be sending someone to drop off a loaner and pick up the car tomorrow morning at my workplace. For what it's worth, my car is now turning more heads than it ever was, they just have disgusted faces on.

Sounds like a train? woo woo!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nnzw_i4YmKk

[pandi]

If you want more than "talk" call Prestige Imports (Audi dealer) in Lakewood Colorado. That is where I got my car Stasis tuned. Ask for service, then ask why they dropped Stasis for a first hand account. Prestige had a B8 2.0 engine blow, Stasis would not cover it so the dealer ended up eating the repair. Now Prestige doesnt carry Stasis because they don't honor their warranty. So there you go... And I have Stasis so its not like I am some hater..

Similar situation at Audi of Peoria, AZ

[ChrisM]

Looks like the exhaust was rubbing on the floor pan, maybe too far to one side and may have happened during shipping. The dealership wanted a new exhaust shipped instead of trying to refit the current one, so they are in the process of submitting a warranty claim to STaSIS. No ETA as of yet. Really hoping STaSIS has the exhaust in stock and ready to ship, or else I'm stuck with this slug of an A4 for who knows how long...

[afig367]

Looks like the exhaust was rubbing on the floor pan, maybe too far to one side and may have happened during shipping. The dealership wanted a new exhaust shipped instead of trying to refit the current one, so they are in the process of submitting a warranty claim to STaSIS. No ETA as of yet. Really hoping STaSIS has the exhaust in stock and ready to ship, or else I'm stuck with this slug of an A4 for who knows how long...

Good luck, let us know how the warranty claim works out for you.

[ChrisM]

Well, not a very dramatic conclusion. Surprised today when I called for an update and the car was ready to be picked up. Apparently the dealership just readjusted the existing exhaust a few times, with new clamps, and now it doesn't rattle or screech (for now). From what I gathered with speaking to the dealership, it sounds like STaSIS didn't want anything to do with this issue, and blamed it on the install (which very well may have been the culprit). They were likely going to make the dealership eat the cost of a new exhaust if they needed to send one out. Overall happy with the sound and tune, but mostly glad to just have my car back

[dakine01]

Well, not a very dramatic conclusion. Surprised today when I called for an update and the car was ready to be picked up. Apparently the dealership just readjusted the existing exhaust a few times, with new clamps, and now it doesn't rattle or screech (for now). From what I gathered with speaking to the dealership, it sounds like STaSIS didn't want anything to do with this issue, and blamed it on the install (which very well may have been the culprit). They were likely going to make the dealership eat the cost of a new exhaust if they needed to send one out. Overall happy with the sound and tune, but mostly glad to just have my car back

Sounds familiar, I was pretty unhappy going back and forth between the two. My dealership WAS a Stasis dealer when they installed this and had installed the same exhaust on other B8 S4s, so I was comfortable that they knew what they were doing. The private shop that installed my AWE system (which is fantastic) confirmed it was installed correctly. I saw the exhaust for myself when it was on the lift, it had several leaks - a few near the clamps and what concerned me the most was the leak right under the driver's side flex section where the weld had failed. I have pics where the leaks were (on my phone).

[Jack@STaSIS]

If you want more than "talk" call Prestige Imports (Audi dealer) in Lakewood Colorado. That is where I got my car Stasis tuned. Ask for service, then ask why they dropped Stasis for a first hand account. Prestige had a B8 2.0 engine blow, Stasis would not cover it so the dealer ended up eating the repair. Now Prestige doesnt carry Stasis because they don't honor their warranty. So there you go... And I have Stasis so its not like I am some hater.

Plus, a Stasis dealer (Peak Eurosport) also refused to acknowledge the obviously bad baffle in my Stasis Signatue exhaust. That is why I read this thread. I am curious how Stasis responds.

Actually your getting incorrect information here from that dealer. The engine did have internal issues, but it ended up being covered by both STaSIS and Audi after further diagnosis was done. Prestige Audi wasn't even the dealer that performed the work. The customer was taken care of.

[100Daily]

Actually your getting incorrect information here from that dealer. The engine did have internal issues, but it ended up being covered by both STaSIS and Audi after further diagnosis was done. Prestige Audi wasn't even the dealer that performed the work. The customer was taken care of.

So why did Prestige stop carrying Stasis if everything was all good? I will call my service advisor back and ask for more detail. Thanks!

[Jeff@RevoUSA]

ChrisM - I'm sorry to hear that you encountered an issue and that it ruined your first impression of the exhaust. Glad to see the issue was resolved and you have your S4 back.

Enjoy,