Exhaust problems are bad for the environment and your vehicle
The exhaust system has quite a few responsibilities. It collects the exhaust gases from the cylinders, eliminates harmful substances, reduces the noise levels and releases the purified exhaust gases of the vehicle into the atmosphere. In case your vehicle’s exhaust system develops some problems, there is a risk of reduced mileage, poor performance and in the worse cases, carbon monoxide poisoning. Some of the most common problems of a faulty exhaust system include:
Rattling or hanging tail pipe
If your vehicle’s tailpipe is making a rattling sound or is hanging lower than it should, it can cause serious damage to the rest of the exhaust system. So, make sure you don’t ignore the issue and have it reattached at the earliest.
Fuel odor inside the cabin
If you can smell gasoline inside the cabin of your vehicle, it is a sign there is a major leak in your exhaust system. It can cause carbon monoxide poisoning which can prove fatal. Only a mechanic can find out the exact source of the leak and fix it.
Poor fuel efficiency
If you have noticed a sudden drop in your vehicle’s fuel efficiency, it could be due to an issue in the exhaust system. When you are losing power and acceleration, the vehicle will try to overcompensate for it and consume more fuel.
Reduced power and acceleration
If your vehicle is having performance issues, or you notice that it loses power or you need to push harder to get the vehicle to accelerate, it could be an indicator of a problem with the exhaust system. It definitely warrants a service appointment.
Burning smell around the engine
In case the gasket fails and begins to leak near the engine wiring or any other plastic parts under the bonnet, the exhaust gases can burn some of these parts. It can cause a burning smell and sometimes you may see smoke. The moment you notice any odor or smoke, you should have the vehicle checked immediately to prevent any further damage.
Excessive exhaust fumes
A tell-tale sign of exhaust problems is when you notice more fumes inside the car than usual. Whenever there is any damage to the exhaust pipe, it causes an exhaust leak. When the leak is near the front of the vehicle or directly under the passenger compartment exhaust gases can get into the passenger cabin. The gases can be dangerous to the health and safety of occupants.
Engine misfiring
A misfiring engine can also be a sign that there is a problem in the vehicle’s exhaust system. Here is how. There is an exhaust valve chamber located inside the cylinder, which feeds the exhaust gases into the exhaust manifold and then into the exhaust pipe. When there is any blockage in the exhaust system, the exhaust fumes cannot escape the chamber effectively and can cause the motor to misfire.
Leaky exhaust manifold
The exhaust manifold is the first part of your vehicle’s exhaust system. It is connected to the engine and collects your engine’s emissions. If it gets cracked and starts to leak, it can burn the exhaust valves and loosen their seal over the cylinders. This can create back pressure and cause the engine to lose lower and misfire. Another indication of a faulty exhaust manifold is a ticking sound from the engine bay.
Check engine light on
Your check engine light can turn on due to several reasons and a faulty oxygen sensor is among the most common. Regardless of the reason, when your check engine light comes on, you must have your car inspected by a mechanic immediately.
These are some of the signs that can indicate exhaust problems in your vehicle. The key to solving these problems is to identify them quickly and have them repaired before they cause serious damage to the vehicle’s exhaust system. You can save a lot of money just by being proactive and identifying the problems early on, and getting them rectified promptly.
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