Your automobile’s engine relies on the exhaust system to remove the exhaust from the combustion chamber, routed through the catalytic converter, and release it out of the tailpipe. If the exhaust is not removed from the engine, Tri Valley Auto Repair & Diesel advises that it will clog the combustion chamber and affect your engine’s performance. Let’s talk more about this below and the other signs that your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s exhaust system is bad.
Engine Power Loss
As we just mentioned, if the exhaust is not being routed out of the engine, it will affect your vehicle’s ability to produce power. Unfortunately, you will notice that the engine loses power, especially when you try to accelerate. This can be a sign that the exhaust system is clogged and the combustion chamber is filled with exhaust that has backed up into the chamber.
Reduced Gas Mileage
This will naturally reduce your gas mileage because the engine will burn more gasoline or diesel fuel in its effort to produce power. Unfortunately, in order to restore the normal gas mileage that your vehicle gets, you will need to have the exhaust system repaired. This will restore the engine’s power and efficiency. It is this efficiency that gives you good gas mileage.
Gas or Diesel Odors
Another sign that your exhaust system has gone bad is gasoline or diesel odors inside the passenger cabin. This can happen if the exhaust system is clogged or leaking. Unfortunately, these odors make driving your automobile dangerous because you could be inhaling carbon monoxide. Do not drive your vehicle if you can smell the gas or diesel fuel.
Hot Engine Odors
You may also notice that your engine smells hot if the exhaust system is going bad. This is generally a sign that the exhaust manifold gasket is leaking and melting nearby rubber or plastic auto parts. Alongside melting the auto parts, the hot exhaust being introduced into the engine will overheat the engine.
Loud Engine Noise
If your engine has suddenly become very loud, you have likely punched a hole in the muffler. You can do this by running over road debris. Unfortunately, there are noise abatement laws that apply to automobiles and you may end up with a moving violation if you don’t have the muffler replaced right away.
Visible Pipe Damage
Finally, you may see damage to the tailpipe that needs to be repaired right away because the tailpipe is responsible for releasing the exhaust away from the vehicle. This damage can include dents in the tailpipe, holes in the tailpipe, or a tailpipe that is hanging off-balance.
Call Tri Valley Auto Repair & Diesel in Limon, CO, today if your vehicle is having exhaust system problems.
