Hello folks, just got a used 2015 f typr r this summer, amazing car, no real issues, exhaust cracks and pops like amazing. Went for my service at the dallas dealership recently because the cars got about 59,000 miles on it and the dash is alerting me its time for service so i did. Told the dealership not to update the pcm or o2 sensors because I heard a lot on these forums about losing the beloved noise. Great experience at the dealership btw and they complied with everything i asked. Got the car back and I noticed the pops and crackles were diminished quite a bit. Ill still get them but its just not the same, and the car is generally a lot quieter. The thing is the dealership didnt do anything invasive! They just did a routine maintenance, alignment, cabin filter, oil change, etc, the only thing I can think of that is on the maintenance receipt is they changed the 8 spark plugs. Called them back and they double checked and they assure me nothing they did could really effect engine noise.

My question is has this happened to anybody else, and does it make sense that changing the spark plugs can change the engine noise/backfire? Can I expect the pops to come back after "breaking in " the new spark plugs/after putting some more miles on the car?? Thank you!

 

Do not see why you would need to break-in plugs.
Otehrwise a new car would also need the same treatment.
My guess is they did the routine software upgrade anyway, though with a 6 year old car, they certainly would have itemized and charged for the privilege.
Not sure how to do it but I understand you should be able to check the current s/w version and date installed.

 

Assuming you're trying for the pops in dynamic mode, if you have configurable dynamics check that the settings haven't reverted to "Normal" (or "Comfort!) instead of Dynamic - I had that after a routine service.

 

I did check the software version by holding down the valet button as soon as I got the car back and everything seemed the same as before but i will double check, thank you for the reply, they assured me they didnt touch the software...but i will double check

 

I did check that too! and my settings were saved in dynamic mode, thank you for the reply

 

Is it possible the new plugs have a different heat signature?
Hotter or cooler plugs might sound different.
I do not know what the correct plug would be.
Perhaps another Type R member?

 

If the dealer did a software update (despite you asking them not too) then you could have had the software patch that quiets down the car.

 

This photo was taken before my service and all this data is the same after service

 

That's the entertainment/head unit software version, not the ECU software version. You can't see that information natively.

 

Given your story it sounds unlikely that any ECU updates were done, but it's possible. The exhaust symphony is all by design. On decel the system would normally be cutting off all fuel, but some is provided for our entertainment.

Spark plugs do not need to be broken in. New is the best they'll ever be. It might be that the old plugs were not burning fuel as well and contributing to the percussion section activity, but I'd be more inclined to suspect that the service reset all the learned values and it needs a little time to adjust to your driving.

 

Thank you all for the replies🙏🏽

 

Thank you