Look at these 7 signs of a faulty exhaust system

Internal combustion engines are standard in most automobiles. Inside the cylinders, little explosions occur, forcing the pistons down. This, in turn, turns the crankshaft, propelling the automobile forward.

However, the one small problem with internal combustion engines is that they created a lot of exhaust fumes. A proper exhaust system is required to manage them. The exhaust system of the vehicle directs the burned gases away from the IC engine. Following that, they are released into the atmosphere.

So, what happens if something goes wrong with the car exhaust system? It's not something that happens on a regular basis. When it does happen, though, knowing how to recognise it is a good thing. However, in order to grasp the full picture, we must examine how the exhaust system operates.

What is the function of a vehicle's exhaust system?

Inside the chambers of a car engine, exhaust gases are created. With the aid of a manifold, they are subsequently guided to the exhaust system. The system's oxygen sensors then determine how much oxygen is present in the exhaust gases. They determine if the mixture is too rich or too lean.

Following that, the gases are sent via a catalytic converter. Nearly 90% of harmful exhausts gases like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide are converted to carbon dioxide and water vapour by the catalytic converter. Following that, the leftover gases move via a resonator and then through the vehicle's silencer (also known as a muffler). Both the resonator and the muffler reduce the noise from the car engine which are then bearable to the human ear.

From the outside, we can only see the tailpipe of a car's exhaust system. The exhaust gases are securely discharged into the atmosphere through the tailpipe after passing past the muffler.

If there are any issues with the exhaust system of your car, this can lead to an MOT failure. It is therefore recommended to check MOT status of your vehicle and have this issue repaired before your next MOT is due.

The car engine will pay the price if any of the exhaust system elements are damaged. A sequence of terrible days might strike the vehicle's exhaust system for a variety of causes. It's possible that you'll have to deal with issues like a faulty catalytic converter or an oxygen sensor. Aside from these issues, rust in the exhaust system is more widespread than you may believe.

Identify a faulty exhaust system

How will you know when things go wrong, which they will? Here are some of the signs and symptoms of exhaust problems:

1.     Hissing Sound

A faulty exhaust manifold gasket is the most common cause of exhaust troubles. A gasket functions as a seal on the exhaust manifold. The gasket prevents any gases from escaping. Listen for hissing sounds or odd noises coming from the engine to uncover problems with the gasket. It's not safe to drive with a blown exhaust manifold gasket. Other sections of the system, such as the catalytic converter, may be damaged as a result.

2.     Loud Engine Noises

Issues such as rust in your vehicle's silencer, or a broken exhaust pipe might be detected by loud engine noises. So, always keep an ear out for such noises.

3.     Awful Smell

If the catalytic converter fails, hazardous chemicals such as carbon monoxide are discharged into the atmosphere. This can also be caused by other difficulties such as a leaking exhaust pipe or a faulty catalytic converter. The good news is that these exhaust gases smell terrible. If you detect this smell, it might indicate that something is wrong with the exhaust system.

4.     Bad Fuel Efficiency

The fuel efficiency of your vehicle might be hampered by problems with the exhaust system. Backpressure from a partially obstructed exhaust system reduces the car's fuel efficiency. There's also a risk that the exhaust system near the car's engine has developed a leak.

5.     Poor Performance

A leak in the exhaust system might reduce the engine's power and ability to accelerate. If you have to put a lot of effort into getting your vehicle to accelerate, something is wrong. This might be a sign of a problem with the exhaust system. Small exhaust system leaks may not generate any audible noise. However, it might still impair the vehicle's acceleration capability.

6.     Suspended Exhaust Pipes and Other Visible Clues

If you hear any metallic rattling sounds below your car, it's possible that a piece of the exhaust system has fallen loose. Looking under the car frame for damaged pipes or hanging exhaust system pieces is a good idea.

7.     Corrosion

Rust is a common cause and symptom of exhaust system issues. There is a lot of heating and cooling in the exhaust system. Apart from that, the vehicle's exhaust emits a significant amount of water vapour. All of this might cause the system to rust. If you see excessive corrosion, take your vehicle to a car service and repair garage.

Other evident symptoms of exhaust system degradation should also be kept in mind. A burning odour, a check engine light that won't go away, or an engine misfire are all signs that something is wrong.