Exhaust System
The exhaust system on your car is responsible for expelling dangerous fumes away from the engine as well as inside your vehicle. The toxic fumes are funneled through the catalytic converter which turns the fumes into less dangerous gasses that are acceptable for state and federal emission standards. Once they process through the catalytic converter the fumes go through the muffler and are expelled into the outside air.
The exhaust system is made up of:
- Exhaust Manifold
- Oxygen Sensor
- Catalytic Converter
- Hangers
- Exhaust Piping and Joints
- Muffler
If you have a leak in this system, you will usually be able to detect multiple symptoms.
- Loud sounds – if you are hearing a loud sound when you rev your engine that comes out of the exhaust system before the tailpipe you most likely have a hole or a leak somewhere before the muffler. If the noise is more of a rumbling sound coming from the tailpipe, you likely have a hole in the muffler itself. Having a damaged muffler can be very dangerous since carbon monoxide might get inside the car, you need to have this looked at right away by a professional auto repair technician.
- Loss of acceleration – if you have a sudden decrease in your car’s acceleration power, you likely have some type of exhaust issue, possibly a clog somewhere in the exhaust system. The exhaust system is designed to optimize your car’s emission performance and acceleration.
- Decreased fuel efficiency – if you have a rusted pipe, this will cause the engine to work harder to speed up your car. If you notice you are getting fewer miles to a gallon of gas, there is a good chance there is a problem somewhere in the exhaust tubes or pipes. Engine efficiency is measured by the amount of energy it gets from the gasoline used for fuel.
- Strong smell – if you smell rotten eggs when your car is running, you likely have an issue with the catalytic converter. Strong exhaust smells can indicate a leak in the exhaust pipe, tailpipe, or muffler. If there are any abnormal or strong smells, get it checked out as soon as possible. Noxious fumes from a faulty exhaust system can also get inside your vehicle, which is very dangerous as sometimes they are odorless, which makes them even more hazardous to your health.
If you have noticed any of these symptoms of exhaust system problems, bring your vehicle to our trusted mechanic right away. A faulty exhaust will not only impact the functioning of your vehicle, but it can lead to toxic gas fumes getting inside. The experts at KC Automotive are trained to properly diagnose and fix any possible problems with your car’s exhaust system.