Chips that double the life of the muffler
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The muffler is mounted on special suspensions. Their fastening weakens over time due to wear. If the part moves even a little to the side, it will burn out faster.
To prolong the life of your car muffler, treat it with anti-corrosion paint, make a few small holes, and drive long distances more often. An alternative option is to purchase a stainless steel part.
Why does the muffler fail quickly
A car muffler (part of the exhaust system) stops working as a result of normal wear and tear. The product becomes very hot when the machine is in motion and may fail due to large temperature fluctuations.
Another reason is corrosion. The muffler works on an air-fuel mixture, so water vapor is always formed during the exhaust. If it is cold outside, they condense inside the part in the form of moisture. Over time, rust appears in the structure, which gradually destroys the body and welds of the product.
The device is more likely to break down on short trips. Water vapor quickly condenses, and the system does not have time to warm up. If you drive for only 10-15 minutes and turn off the engine, the car will cool down, and the water will remain.
Muffler breaks while driving
The cause of the breakdown can be adhering reagents that are sprinkled on the roads. They corrode machine parts and accelerate corrosion.
The device stops working due to mechanical damage received on rough roads or upon impact during an accident. Breakage can occur even due to a small scratch.
Low-quality gasoline with a large amount of impurities also disables the car muffler. The fuel does not burn completely, so condensation accumulates in the exhaust system. It causes corrosion.
The muffler is mounted on special suspensions. Their fastening weakens over time due to wear. If the part moves even a little to the side, it will burn out faster.
How long does a normal muffler last?
The service life of a car muffler depends on the model. Budget cars are equipped with inexpensive parts that wear out faster. On average, the device becomes unusable in 3-4 years. In extreme weather conditions for 1,5-2 years.
Chips that extend the service life
Driving with a damaged part is dangerous, and constantly replacing it is expensive. There are several ways to extend the life of the muffler of a VAZ car and foreign cars.
Hole at the bottom
To prolong the life of a car muffler, you need to make a small hole with a diameter of 2-3 mm in the underside of the part. Through it, the condensate will come out. The device will rust more slowly and last longer. For reinsurance, another hole is made near the exhaust outlet.
But each model has partitions with high sides, so condensate cannot always flow out of the hole. You need to understand where in the muffler there are such “blind” sections, and make a few more holes in them.
Repair muffler with a drill
Do not drill a hole in the resonators under the body. Exhaust gases will rise into the cabin and an unpleasant smell will appear in the car.
This method has a big drawback. Over time, the holes will begin to grow and rust, and dirt will constantly get inside. The exhaust sound will change, the part will begin to burn through.
Anti-corrosion treatment
Anti-corrosion materials help extend the life of a car muffler up to 5 years. Heat-resistant varnishes or silicone enamels are suitable, which protect the surface from the harmful effects of the environment. They are limited and heat resistant. Choose the second option because the machine parts get very hot during operation.
Silicone-based enamels increase the life of the muffler. They protect the part from mechanical damage and withstand short-term heating up to 600 degrees. Anticorrosives from Tikkurila, Nordix, Kudo have proven themselves.
You can treat the device from corrosion yourself. Follow the step by step instructions:
- Remove the device from the car and wipe it with a cloth dampened with white spirit.
- Go over the entire surface with sandpaper to remove rust and old coating. If you skip this step, the surface will continue to deteriorate under the paint layer.
- Treat the part with acetone and putty all holes.
- Apply 2-3 layers of anticorrosive with a brush, but do not allow smudges. If the product is in the form of an aerosol, spray it evenly and do not change the angle of painting.
After processing, heat the surface to 160 degrees with a building hair dryer or thermal gun to harden the paint. Dry for at least 15-20 minutes.
Composition against corrosion
The cost of coverage depends on the manufacturer. Heat-resistant aerosols are sold for at least 850 rubles. You can make anticorrosive yourself from 1 liter of graphite grease and 2 liters of solvent. Mix the composition, pour it into the muffler and shake it for a couple of minutes.
This treatment is recommended to be carried out once a year to extend the life of car mufflers. The smell of solvent will disappear in 2-3 days.
long trips
To prolong the life of a car muffler, once every 1-2 weeks, go to the track, spin the engine up to 5-6 thousand revolutions and ride for an hour. The back bank of the resonator will warm up, and the water will come out in the form of steam.
Custom stainless steel construction as an alternative to the standard version
Stainless steel mufflers, a fused metal with 20% chromium, are rare in factory cars. The body and internal parts, including the flange, are made from this material. The design does not lend itself to corrosion and mechanical damage, suitable for domestic and imported cars. Stainless steel is a heat-resistant material, tolerates high temperatures and does not deform when the weather changes abruptly.
The only downside is the price. Stainless steel structures are made to order. They cost 2-3 times more than aluminized steel models. But they serve up to 10-12 years and fully justify their price.
