280st cupra Exhaust Question and potential problem

[Stephenator280]

Having recently had my front resonator removed, I decided to take some time to inspect my exhaust after I got back from work. One thing That has been nagging at the back of my mind for a while was why one on my exhaust tips (the driver-side one) was very dark with soot/carbon build up, yet the one on the left wasn’t. My initial suspicion was there was some valved system, that meant that under normal load, exhaust gases would bypass the left exhaust and come out of the right only.

But after taking a closer look, with the engine running I noticed that

1. The left exhaust wasn’t particularly hot, whereas the right one was
2. The left exhaust was making a strange sound, like the exhaust flow was being restricted, the right wasn’t
3. When I looked down the pipe I noticed what appeared to be a hairball there. After some very quick googling I learnt that this was most likely the innards of the exhaust.

This my questions are:

For cupra st owners (280, 290 probably) are both exhausts used equally? I.e are they equally discoloured?

For people in the know generally, is the ‘hairball’ a sign that my muffler is on its way out?

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[wms_F1]

Just been out to look wt my 280 ST and both tail pipes look the same!


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[Stephenator280]

Just been out to look wt my 280 ST and both tail pipes look the same!


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Ok, thanks. I’m tempted to poke around at the hairball tomorrow and see what happens... almost certainly a terrible idea


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[wms_F1]

Ok, thanks. I’m tempted to poke around at the hairball tomorrow and see what happens... almost certainly a terrible idea


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Nothing ventured, nothing gained...


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[Daire92]

You'll be able to move it alright but you'll probably just end up with a long tail hanging out of your exhaust. You should head straight back to the exhaust shop that did your res delete and let them look at it, more than likely you'll need a new muffler.

 

[Jazzjames]

I’m not a Cupra owner but have noticed uneven carbon/soot buildbup on many VAG cars. Many Golf Rs seem to only use 2 of the 4 exhaust exits to my eye.

 

[Blowski]

I’m not a Cupra owner but have noticed uneven carbon/soot buildbup on many VAG cars. Many Golf Rs seem to only use 2 of the 4 exhaust exits to my eye.

Golf R has a valved system. The Cupra doesn’t and should be equal.


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[KXL]

You know I saw your pic with your Cupra jacked up and having res delete, was thinking, why is right exhaust dark, and left so clean? But as the others say, I've seen many S3 (the lazy owners who don't polish their tips) that despite having 4 pipes, 1 on each side were extra dirty all the time. Mine seems to be ok, dual exhaust left exit only, both tips are equally 'sooty' during city driving, highway...well, it doesn't collect much...

 

[Butty]

I've just had a look at my ST 280 exhaust and both pipes are sooty plus I can see all the way to the bends at the back.
The f/glass packing should be retained by the perforated tube so your has failed or was never assembled correctly.
Is the ST still in warranty as it may be worth checking for faulty assembly. I can't believe that the internals have rotted through already - mine are in perfect condition.

 

[Stephenator280]

I've just had a look at my ST 280 exhaust and both pipes are sooty plus I can see all the way to the bends at the back.
The f/glass packing should be retained by the perforated tube so your has failed or was never assembled correctly.
Is the ST still in warranty as it may be worth checking for faulty assembly. I can't believe that the internals have rotted through already - mine are in perfect condition.

Annoyingly it’s just gone out of warranty in August, the main reason why I’ve decided to make a few changes. I will probably head to the exhaust place tomorrow to see what they think can be done about it. I know for motorbike silencers, it is fairly common practice to re-pack the gauze, not sure whether this is easy to do with a car or not...


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[Stephenator280]

You know I saw your pic with your Cupra jacked up and having res delete, was thinking, why is right exhaust dark, and left so clean? But as the others say, I've seen many S3 (the lazy owners who don't polish their tips) that despite having 4 pipes, 1 on each side were extra dirty all the time. Mine seems to be ok, dual exhaust left exit only, both tips are equally 'sooty' during city driving, highway...well, it doesn't collect much...

Yeah, it’s really blatant now I look at it . I’m a little surprised that the seat garage I took to to for its mot didn’t spot anything. It even failed it’s first run at its mot due to emissions, and passed the second time! I might give them a call...


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[Stephenator280]

Added a video, if you
Listen carefully you should be able to hear the difference in sound between the blocked, and unblocked, pipes

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[LouG]

That appears to be muffler packing, you can pull it out, but the perforated internal tube would be damaged for that to have happened.
Unless someone did it deliberately.