Strange Exhaust Noise

[timeless]

I have the 2010 RTSE5 PE 801 with 15K miles on her. I ride 2 up 95% of the time & often loaded bags & trunks. The past couple of months we have noticed the exhaust note changing. It sounds to me like a baffle in the muffler (stock) that is rattling around some. This strange noise is getting louder every time we ride.

Is it possible that the noise is the result of the bike needing a valve adjustment??:dontknow: I do not have access to my manual down here in Florida so am wondering at what mileage BRP recommends the valve adjustment.

Any other ideas or thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!!!

Thanks

[Bob Denman]

I doubt that it's got anything to do with the valves. You'd notice them much more at start-up.... :yikes:
Have you tried the old "Rubber Mallet" test? smack the can with something, and see if you can hear anything that's loose in there!

[Chupaca]

valve adjustments are recommended about where your at but most have found that they were not needed. This would nit cause a change in exhaust sound. As Bob said thump the exhsust with a mallet or even kick it with the ball of your foot. This if it is a rattleling sound will confirm internal brakedown. The more likely points are the gaskets. The "y" gaskets or muffler (added heat around both legs from ankle to knee area). Your mileage is not indicative of the muffler going bad..but not imposdible.. :thumbup:

[Jeriatric]

Pack Rat goodies?

[Bob Denman]

Pulling the muffler off is actually REAL easy... :D
Just 3 bolts. :thumbup:
If you pull it; you can stand it on end, and see what falls out of it... :yikes:

[jerpinoy]

If it was a rat it must be the unburn bones. Seriously could be just loose bolts.

[timeless]

I doubt that it's got anything to do with the valves. You'd notice them much more at start-up.... :yikes:
Have you tried the old "Rubber Mallet" test? smack the can with something, and see if you can hear anything that's loose in there!

I did Bob but can not hear anything when I do that. I thought it could be an increasing exhaust leak but the noise is only at the 2 exhaust outlet ports of the muffler.:dontknow:

[timeless]

valve adjustments are recommended about where your at but most have found that they were not needed. This would nit cause a change in exhaust sound. As Bob said thump the exhsust with a mallet or even kick it with the ball of your foot. This if it is a rattleling sound will confirm internal brakedown. The more likely points are the gaskets. The "y" gaskets or muffler (added heat around both legs from ankle to knee area). Your mileage is not indicative of the muffler going bad..but not imposdible.. :thumbup:

Exactly my thoughts too but can not find anything obvious (yet)

[timeless]

Pulling the muffler off is actually REAL easy... :D
Just 3 bolts. :thumbup:
If you pull it; you can stand it on end, and see what falls out of it... :yikes:

Good idea, I was planning on pulling the tupper ware today to look closer so I might as well yank the muffler also!!!!!

[timeless]

If it was a rat it must be the unburn bones. Seriously could be just loose bolts.

Maybe I will get some bones falling out when I pull the muffler as Bob suggests!!!!! LOL:yikes:

[MouthPiece]

I had a cracked pipe on my 2010 Premier Edition. I want to say there was about 18 or 19,000 miles on it. I think it was near the gas tank. It was two days out of warranty (manufacturer), but was covered by RPM One extended warranty. Could that be a possible source?

Chris

[bluestratos]

More likely it is coming from your catalytic converter. I had mine go on me on my 11 last spring, exact same symptoms.

[timeless]

I had a cracked pipe on my 2010 Premier Edition. I want to say there was about 18 or 19,000 miles on it. I think it was near the gas tank. It was two days out of warranty (manufacturer), but was covered by RPM One extended warranty. Could that be a possible source?

Chris
That is a definite possibility, when I get a chance to pull the Tupperware & muffler I will double check all that. My pipes are wrapped but I should be able to see a burn mark if there is a cracked pipe.

[timeless]

More likely it is coming from your catalytic converter. I had mine go on me on my 11 last spring, exact same symptoms.

WOW, I would not suspect the catalytic converter, but that does make sense to me!!! Might be a good time to get the bypass!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bruiser]

This will help you understand how a cat converter works. http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question4823.htm

One thing possible is a loose baffle that rattles when the pipe is hot but not when it's cold.

[timeless]

Thanks to ALL that replied, I still have NOT found the source of the noise but it is getting louder and I suspect it will only be a matter of time!!!!!!!

I will repost when I finally get to the source of the noise!!!!!!!!

Roy

[timeless]

I had a cracked pipe on my 2010 Premier Edition. I want to say there was about 18 or 19,000 miles on it. I think it was near the gas tank. It was two days out of warranty (manufacturer), but was covered by RPM One extended warranty. Could that be a possible source?

Chris
That is a possibility, but the noise is pretty much confined to the 2 exhaust outlet ports on the muffler.

[timeless]

This will help you understand how a cat converter works. http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question4823.htm

One thing possible is a loose baffle that rattles when the pipe is hot but not when it's cold.

THANK FOR THE INFO!!!!!!