Your car’s exhaust system is there for a reason: to get rid of the toxic gases generated by your engine.
But what happens when it starts to break down? What happens when it’s leaking or isn’t working properly? This blog post examines why a broken car exhaust is dangerous and what to do about it.
Common Issues with Exhaust Systems
So what exactly causes broken exhaust systems? Let’s take a look at some common issues:
Clogged Exhaust Pipes
A clogged pipe can cause back pressure, meaning the engine has to work harder to get enough oxygen into itself. This results in higher fuel consumption and lower performance.
Leaking Header Gaskets
An exhaust gasket is a seal between two parts of the exhaust system — the manifold and cylinder head or header collector flange, for example — and leaks may occur after corrosion sets in overtime due to rust or corrosion from chemicals like salt water (from driving near an ocean), etc.
Leaking Exhaust Manifold
One of the most common issues with exhaust systems is a leaky manifold.
Exhaust manifolds are vital to an engine’s function, as they send exhaust gases from the cylinders out of the engine. A leak in the manifold can cause problems with your car’s performance, including reduced fuel economy, overheating, and poor acceleration.
Muffler Failure
Muffler failure is a common issue with exhaust systems. The muffler helps reduce the noise and pollution created by an engine by converting the energy from the engine’s exhaust into heat. When this fails, it can cause excessive noise, leading to vehicle damage and even hearing loss for drivers.
Exhaust Pipe Corrosion
Exhaust pipe corrosion is one of the most common issues with exhaust systems. Corrosion occurs when the environment is too acidic and corrosive, which causes damage to the metal pipes in your exhaust.
When this happens, you’ll notice that your vehicle makes loud noises and smells like something is burning. It can also cause your engine to lose power or run poorly.
How Is a Broken Exhaust System Dangerous?
A broken exhaust system can be a significant safety hazard.
When there’s a crack in the exhaust piping, it can leak toxic gases into the car’s cabin. If you’re driving and don’t notice the leak, you could unknowingly breathe in harmful fumes. These fumes can cause headaches, nausea, and vomiting—not to mention damage to your lungs over time.
In addition to being dangerous for drivers, this kind of leak can also cause carbon monoxide poisoning for passengers in the car’s back seat. This kind of poisoning is potentially fatal, so it’s crucial to recognize signs that something isn’t right with your exhaust.
Fixing Your Broken Exhaust System in Scottsdale, AZ
As soon as you notice a broken exhaust system in Scottsdale, AZ, you should contact a professional car exhaust and muffler repair service. The sooner you get this fixed, the better. Your car will run more efficiently, and your engine will last longer.
The exhaust system consists of several parts that work together to release harmful gases from your vehicle. The exhaust manifold collects these gases before they leave the engine. The catalytic converter helps reduce these gases into less harmful ones so they can be released into the air.
When any of these parts break or stop working properly, it can cause other problems with your engine and make it difficult for other systems, like your air conditioning unit, to work properly. This means that you need to fix them right away.
Your professional exhaust service will likely include one or more of the following:
- Exhaust repair
- Exhaust replacement
- Catalytic converter replacement
- Muffler replacement
The sooner you make repairs, the less damage your car will sustain. Fixing your exhaust immediately can save you from paying for more expensive repairs later.
Performance Muffler is your go-to exhaust repair service in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Glendale areas. We proudly provide our customers with high-quality muffler repairs at reasonable prices. We also install new mufflers and exhaust systems if you need them!
We proudly serve customers from all over the Valley. Whether you need us to come to your home or work to help with any exhaust problem, we will be there for you! Our highly trained technicians can do the job right the first time around so you can get back on the road as soon as possible without any worries.
Contact us online or call (602) 932-3159 for more information on pricing and services available today!