Exhaust System
The exhaust system in your car or truck’s engine ensures toxic fumes stay out of your car cabin and works to make your engine run correctly. It also helps give you the best possible fuel efficiency and cuts emissions that pollute the air.
Because the process of a car engine is loud, a muffler is used to cancel out the sound. However, the muffler not only reduces the noise level, but also controls the back pressure of the engine. If your car or auto muffler has a hole, then you can experience a carbon monoxide leak, so it’s important to fix it right away for safety reasons. For muffler, exhaust system or straight piping work for autos, make sure you contact a professional exhaust shop or auto repair service, as a DIY muffler patch is never a good idea. Whether you need a new exhaust system, a replacement of your old muffler or current pipes, inspections, a new muffler, or simply work restoring current parts, contact your local Meineke auto repair near you.
Keeping Your Car Exhaust Pipe Maintained
The exhaust pipe plays a key role in diverting exhaust fumes out of your engine, which in turn keeps your vehicle running smoothly. Built-up exhaust fumes can ultimately cause engine deterioration, which makes it important to have your exhaust pipe regularly inspected at a professional muffler shop.
If You Hear a Vibration
If you hear vibrating when your car is running or if it experiences a loss of power, bring it in for a free exhaust inspection. Let the shop know where you noticed the vibration coming from: the steering wheel, operating pedals, or even the seat. This symptom could be a result of a hole, disconnected part, or a leak in the exhaust system. The problem may or may not include a rumbling sound – that depends on the size of the damaged area. The vibrations are not just signaling a problem with the muffler or exhaust… they are also signals that your motor is likely not performing at peak levels.
A Failing or Failed Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converter is the most costly part of your exhaust system. If your catalytic converter begins to fail, you will hear loud sounds. A failing catalytic converter sounds like someone shaking a metal box filled with pennies while your car is idle. You may also notice your check engine light is illuminated.
Increase in Exhaust Volume
A deep rumbling noise coming out of your exhaust pipe is an obvious signal that you have a muffler or exhaust issue. Having it repaired quickly is the best option. Delaying needed muffler or exhaust repairs causes other exhaust and engine problems that make repairs more expensive.
Decrease in Fuel Efficiency
If you notice your regular fill-ups aren’t getting you as far as they used to, bring your car for an inspection. As with vibrations, loss of fuel efficiency might be a sign of a car exhaust system problem. Exhaust leaks makes your motor work harder, which requires more gas.
While you’re there, let us perform a Courtesy Check, which includes a visual check of the following items:
- Engine air filter
- Brake fluid
- Power steering fluid
- Automatic transmission fluid
- Coolant/antifreeze