Most people don't know very much about their cars. They know they need to take it to the shop if is having issues and they know they need to properly maintain their car by booking regular tire rotation and oil change services, but when it comes to the exhaust system, most people don't know how it works or how to tell if it is having serious issues. Keep reading to find out the purpose of your car's exhaust system and how to identify the signs and symptoms that your exhaust system isn't working as it should as well as what to do if you suspect there is a problem with your car's exhaust system.
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What Does My Car's Exhaust System Do?
Your vehicle's exhaust system is very important. It expels dangerous fumes away from the engine as well as the inside of the vehicle. These toxic fumes are sent through the catalytic converter which turns the fumes into less dangerous gasses that are acceptable for emission standards. Then the fumes go through the muffler and are finally expelled into the outside air.
Your vehicle's exhaust system is made up of many parts and if just one part is broken or compromised, the whole system won't work as it should. When it comes to your exhaust system, problems can put you in severe danger so if you notice any of the symptoms of a failed exhaust system, it is very important to get your vehicle checked out by a qualified professional.
Here at Wrench, we have hundreds of auto repair professionals all over the country. Rather than waste your time, money, and energy on an auto repair service, our mobile mechanics will come to your location and perform your required service. So while you relax in the comfort of your own home or work in your office, our mobile mechanics will be able to repair your exhaust system to ensure that you will be safe when you get back on the road.
Symptoms of Exhaust Problems
- Weird Noises When Accelerating
Sometimes if your exhaust manifold gasket is broken, you might notice a hissing or tapping sound as a result of leaking gas. The sound might even get louder when you accelerate. Toxic fumes could leak into your car if you have problems with your exhaust system, so it's very important to get all of these problems checked out as soon as possible. For more information on strange car noises and what they could mean, click here! - Car Is Unable To Accelerate Properly
Problems with your exhaust system can also affect the performance of your engine. If your car is having problems accelerating, it could be due to an exhaust leak. This problem will only continue to worsen unless you get it checked out by one of our ASE-certified mobile mechanics. - Check Engine Light Is On
Although your vehicle's Check Engine light can turn on for a variety of reasons, a faulty exhaust system may be one of them. If your Check Engine light comes on, it's always best to get it looked at by a professional to ensure that your vehicle is safe. If you want more tips on what to do if your Check Engine light comes on, click here. - Strange Smells
If you smell something burning or a gas leak, this could be a sign that you are having problems with your exhaust system. A burning smell could indicate that your gasket has failed. The burning smell you are noticing is a result of the heat from the exhaust gases leaking into your engine bay, causing plastic parts and wiring to burn. A gas smell coming from inside your vehicle could be another sign that you are having exhaust problems. This happens when there is a broken pipe somewhere and gas ends up leaking out, sometimes going inside your car. - Vibrations
When you are driving your vehicle, your car might begin to vibrate as a symptom of exhaust problems. You might notice the vibrations in the brake pedal or the steering wheel, however your vehicle shouldn't vibrate under normal circumstances. If your entire car is vibrating, that is a good sign that you have very serious issues with your exhaust system and it's a good time to book an appointment with a mobile mechanic. For more information on why your car might be shaking or vibrating, click here. - A Hanging Or Dragging Exhaust Pipe
This is a more noticeable problem, but your exhaust pipe should never drag on the ground. If your exhaust pipe is hanging lower than it normally does or it is dragging on the ground, you need to get it checked our by a qualified professional. If you continue driving with an exhaust pipe that is dragging on the ground, it could break off of your car completely and hit a car behind you. - Abnormal Exhaust Smoke
If you notice your car is producing a lot of smoke, this could be an indicator that you are having exhaust problems. The color of the smoke could even tell you exactly what is going on. The most common colors are blue, black, and white/gray. To learn more about what these colors mean or why your car is smoking, click here and read our blog post. - Visible Rust
Rust on your car can be very dangerous if it isn't taken care of properly. If you usually take shorter trips in your car rather than driving longer distances, your vehicle's exhaust system may be more likely to rust. That's because short trips allow the water to collect, but it doesn't ever get hot enough to evaporate off. Water droplets sitting in one spot for a long period of time can cause rusting. Eventually this rust will ruin your exhaust system, so if you see any visible rust, you need to book an appointment with a professional. - Decreased Fuel Efficiency
One of the biggest reasons besides safety to get your exhaust problems fixed is because they can decrease your vehicle's fuel efficiency. This means it takes more fuel to get your car working which means you will end up making more trips to the gas station. If you don't get your vehicles exhaust problems fixed in a timely manner, you could end up wasting a lot of money due to the decreased fuel efficiency.
Most Common Exhaust Problems
- Rust
As mentioned earlier, a common problem with your exhaust system could be due to rust. When it comes to your car, rust anywhere can be dangerous. Rust can corrode essential parts of your vehicle which could put you in harms way. If you suspect that you have a rust problem with your exhaust system, book an appointment with Wrench and our skilled mobile mechanics will thoroughly inspect your vehicle. - Exhaust Leaks
Another problem with your exhaust system could be an exhaust leak. If this happens, exhaust fumes could leak inside your car or in other areas it's not supposed to. This problem can also be very dangerous, so it is important to get exhaust leaks checked out as soon as possible. - Faulty Oxygen Sensor
Today, most vehicles have a few oxygen sensors, however, if one of them stops working, your vehicle might get confused and tell you that there's a serious problem. If that happens, it is just a quick fix to replace the sensor or sometimes repair the existing one. This is a best case scenario, so if you suspect that your oxygen sensor is at fault, you should still get your car checked out by a professional to ensure that you aren't putting you and your passengers in danger. - Broken Exhaust Manifold Gasket
The exhaust manifold gasket's purpose is to provide a seal between your vehicle's exhaust manifold and the cylinder head. This is to ensure that gasses don't leak out and cause issues. If your exhaust manifold gasket is broken, you might notice hissing or tapping noises. Whether you suspect your exhaust manifold gasket is broken or another issues, you should book an appointment with our mobile mechanics. Here at Wrench, we provide convenient Exhaust Manifold Gasket Replacement services so you can get back on the road as efficiently as possible. - Loose Brackets
Loose brackets will cause your exhaust pipe to hang lower that usual or drag on the ground. If this is the case, you need to get your brackets tightened or repaired as soon as possible to ensure that it doesn't fly off and hit a car behind you. Rather than towing your car to a repair shop, you can book an appointment with Wrench and our mobile mechanics will be able to come to your location. - Blocked Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converter works to take the toxic exhaust fumes and turn them into less harmful gasses. If your car's catalytic converter is blocked, you might notice a variety of issues like a rotten eggs smell or the floor of your car is warmer than usual. If you suspect that you have a blocked catalytic converter, we suggest getting it checked out at your earliest convenience.
How To Prevent Exhaust Problems
To prevent exhaust system problems from getting out of hand and causing severe damage, you should get your exhaust system inspected regularly. Every one to two years you should have a qualified professional inspect your exhaust system to ensure that all the parts are working properly. If there are noticeable concerns, the technician will bring that up to you and you will be able to solve the issue before it becomes a big problem.
If you are in need of an exhaust system inspection, book an appointment with our mobile mechanics and we will take a look at your vehicle to determine if your exhaust system is the source of your vehicle's symptoms. Here at Wrench, we offer many exhaust system auto repair services such as Exhaust Manifold Gasket Replacement, Catalytic Converter Replacement, Exhaust System Replacement, and many more!
Got more questions about your exhaust system? If you are noticing that water is coming out of your exhaust pipe, click here to read more about why that is happening!
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