3 Signs It's Time for an Exhaust Repair

Your vehicle is made up of several systems and components that keep it running safely and efficiently. One of the most important is your car's exhaust system. If it's not working properly, schedule an exhaust system repair as soon as possible with the professionals at Performance Muffler. 

The exhaust system captures engine exhaust gases and reduces automotive pollution emissions into the environment. What's more, it ensures smooth engine operation, dampens engine noise and maintains peak fuel efficiency.

Exhaust gases normally pass through the exhaust manifold, catalytic converter, resonator and muffler before leaving the system through the exhaust pipe.

In this post, we'll highlight three common signs that your exhaust system has problems and that it's time to schedule an exhaust system repair.

Strange noises and vibrations

Loud or strange noises from your car often indicate an exhaust problem. But since your exhaust system is made up of multiple components, each problem can have its own noise.

The loud rumble of the engine, which rises and falls depending on the speed of the car, indicates an exhaust leak. You will often find leaks in the exhaust manifold and connections along the system.

A persistent rattling sound while the engine is running may indicate a bad or weak catalytic converter. You need to resolve problems with the catalytic converter as soon as possible.

If your exhaust system has a restriction or unusually high back pressure, you may hear a hiss or pop. An easy way to tell if your engine is getting louder is to check your radio settings. For example, pay attention to whether you need to constantly increase the volume of your car's music system.

Vibrations can mean many different things, but an exhaust leak is one of the most common. If you have a leaky exhaust, you may experience a slight constant vibration while driving that gets worse as you accelerate.

If your steering wheel, seat, or pedals vibrate when you touch them, you probably have a rusty exhaust system. The muffler and pipes of cars that rarely make long trips rarely get hot enough to evaporate the collected water. As a result, the remaining condensate settles in the exhaust system and rusts over time.

Be alert for strange noises or vibrations to ensure problems are detected early and prevent high exhaust system repair costs.

Performance issues

As you may already know, exhaust problems affect the performance of your engine and the most common cause is the catalytic converter. When your catalytic converter is faulty or has problems, you may notice a reduction in your vehicle's acceleration power or loss of power when you least expect it.

Loss of power or acceleration problems often signal a leak, crack, or hole somewhere in the exhaust system. These performance issues have a ripple effect on gas consumption. For example, a loss of power causes the engine to work harder than it should, resulting in increased gas mileage.

If you have to visit the gas station more often than usual, you may have an exhaust leak. Visit an auto shop as soon as possible to diagnose any significant reduction in fuel efficiency. Exhaust leaks can cause inaccurate oxygen sensor readings in the exhaust system.

An oxygen sensor monitors the amount of fuel entering the combustion chamber. A higher level of oxygen in the exhaust, as with a leaky system, tells the engine management system to add fuel to burn off the excess oxygen.

Pay attention to fuel consumption because poor fuel efficiency may require immediate attention and repair.

Visible signs

You can identify some exhaust system problems just by looking at the exhaust pipe. Heavily corroded and split exhaust pipes often have severe external damage. If possible, inspect the entire exhaust system from engine to tailpipe, looking for signs of corrosion, especially at joints and seams.

See a professional mechanic or visit an auto repair shop as soon as you have symptoms of an exhaust problem. It's also good to note that the exhaust system can become very hot during operation, so never touch it until you've turned the car off for a while. 

An illuminated check engine light can also be caused by an exhaust problem. Unfortunately, postponing an exhaust system repair only exacerbates the problem, so always schedule an exhaust system repair as soon as possible.

call us today

If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, we can help. Call Performance Muffler at () 691-6494 for prompt and efficient exhaust repair services. We look forward to restoring the smooth and efficient operation of your vehicle.