Your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s exhaust system is more important than you might think. The exhaust that the engine generates must be removed from the engine in order for combustion to be maintained. The exhaust system can get clogged or can start to leak over time. Buellton Garage can repair your vehicle’s exhaust system when it goes bad. Here are signs that there is something wrong with your car’s exhaust system.
Acceleration/Power Loss
Whether the exhaust system is clogged or leaking, your vehicle will lose power, especially when you try to accelerate. This is because the engine is filling with exhaust gases that are throwing off the balance of air and fuel in the combustion chamber. If the exhaust system is clogged, the exhaust is clogging the combustion chamber and affecting how the air and fuel are fired.
Burning Odors/Overheating
An exhaust system leak will cause burning odors in your engine. The most common exhaust system leak is a leak in the exhaust manifold gasket. This will release scorching exhaust into your engine that will burn the surrounding plastic and rubber. In most cases, your engine will also overheat constantly if the exhaust manifold gasket is leaking.
Gasoline or Diesel Fuel Odors
A dangerous sign that your exhaust system is leaking or clogged is smelling gasoline or diesel fuel inside the passenger cabin. It’s important that you avoid driving your automobile if you can smell gasoline or diesel fuel. Continuing to drive could open you up to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Don’t take chances with something as dangerous as this.
Hanging/Damaged Tailpipe
You may also see that your exhaust system is damaged. Specifically, you may see that the tailpipe is hanging too low and you may also hear it dragging on the ground. The tailpipe can also get damaged as it ages. Specifically, you may end up with tiny holes are pits in the pipe or larger holes.
Noise, Noise, Noise!
A damaged exhaust system will also make a lot of noise. In the case of the leaking exhaust manifold gasket, you will hear loud tapping or hissing sounds. If there is a problem with your muffler, you will hear your engine and all of its glory.
Reduction in Fuel Economy
Finally, exhaust system problems can reduce your vehicle’s fuel economy because of the engine performance issues discussed above. Unfortunately, your engine will not run efficiently, and, as a consequence, it will burn through more fuel.
Call Buellton Garage in Buellton, CA, today for an exhaust system inspection if your vehicle is experiencing any of the problems listed above.