Drivers should never ignore problems with their vehicles’ exhaust systems. Fumes leaking from a damaged exhaust can be a danger not ust to other automotive components but also to people riding in the cabin. The longer exhaust issues go unaddressed, the more likely they are to lead to costly repair bills and serious health problems.
Because exhaust systems are located beneath vehicles, they’re routinely exposed to road debris, dirt, salt, and other potential sources of damage. Only professionals should handle the types of exhaust repair utah drivers need since this system is so essential. Here’s how trained mechanics go about figuring out exhaust repairs.
1. Perform a Complete Visual Inspection
A vehicle’s exhaust system can get damaged in many ways, so mechanics have to complete full inspections before they can determine the best way to resolve the problem. Issues like small cracks, minor rust, or tiny holes are usually easy to deal with using quick, economical patches. More severe forms of damage often require replacing entire components.
A skilled mechanic won’t assume that the first sign of trouble they see represents the full extent of exhaust system damage. Sometimes, there are multiple pain points that need to be identified, and minor damage in one area can lead to other, more serious problems further on in the system. Determining the extent of the damage is a good place to start whenever there are signs of exhaust system problems.
The most obvious signs of damage occur on the underside of the system that’s facing the road. Even drivers may be able to notice cracks, holes, and rust in these areas. However, damage on the top side of the exhaust system can be harder to detect. Mechanics often use inspection mirrors to view these hard-to-reach places.
Vehicle owners that want to try checking for exhaust system damage for themselves should be very careful. A car’s exhaust is very hot, so safe inspections require the use of both gloves and safety glasses.
2. Fix Minor Exhaust System Damage With Patches
Small cracks and holes in an exhaust pipe may be fixable using patches. Mechanics do this by cleaning the damaged area and then applying either exhaust repair tape and aluminum or a mesh and exhaust repair paste. If the damage is to the car’s muffler, heavy-duty muffler tape can also offer an easy solution.
If there are sections of the exhaust system that are more substantially damaged or show serious signs of rust that could cause drivers trouble in the near future, it’s usually better to replace the damaged sections with new piping. This requires cutting those sections out then replacing them.
Mechanics hold the new sections of piping in place using exhaust adapters. These adaptor pieces fit the new section of pipe tightly to the old one so no fumes can escape.
3. Replace Parts As Necessary
Not all exhaust repairs can be addressed using patches and replacing sections of pipe. Sometimes, the best solution is to replace entire parts or even entire exhaust systems. A good mechanic will know when to escalate the repairs to this level.
One of the most common exhaust system parts that mechanics replace is the catalytic converter. This component converts dangerous gasses like carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon into carbon dioxide and water to make them safe to release into the atmosphere. When the catalytic converter gets damaged, it can’t be repaired. The mechanic will have to replace it entirely.
In some cases, exhaust piping needs to be replaced completely, as well. This is often true of piping found near the engine. The closer exhaust pipes get to the engine, the hotter they get. Pipes that are damaged before the catalytic converter gets too hot to repair with paste, tape, or patches. They’re best replaced entirely to avoid future issues.
Signs of Exhaust Damage
Since most vehicle owners don’t have the training, tools, or experience to perform exhaust system repairs themselves, they rely on expert mechanics to fix problems as they occur. However, there is an important maintenance step that drivers can take to keep their vehicles’ exhaust systems in good working order.
Because damage to one component can cause issues across the exhaust system or even problems with seemingly unrelated parts of the car, drivers need to catch the warning signs as early on as possible.
Here are some of the most important and obvious warning signs to look for:
· Increased engine noise, particularly when accelerating.
· Burning odors coming from the engine, which can indicate leaky exhaust manifold gaskets.
· Poor acceleration due to restricted airflow in the catalytic converter or muffler.
· Poor fuel efficiency or loss of high-speed power.
· The check engine light, which will come on if there is damage to the catalytic converter ,oxygen sensor, or mass airflow sensor, or if the air-to-fuel ratio is off.
If drivers notice any of these issues, they should bring their cars to the mechanic as soon as possible. Fixing exhaust system problems early is the best way to avoid expensive repairs.
Common Causes of Exhaust Leaks
Drivers should be particularly careful if they drive their vehicles down rough roads that could cause debris to kick up and damage the exhaust system. Road salt can also create serious problems with rust, which eventually eats holes in the exhaust pipes.
If a vehicle sustains damage due to kicked-up road debris or a direct hit on a pothole or dirt road, the only solution is to bring it to a mechanic for immediate repairs. Drivers can do their part to avoid rust damage from road salt by heading to the car wash more frequently in the winter or after they take their vehicles down heavily salted roads.
Find a Skilled Mechanic
A skilled mechanic will have experience working with different vehicles’ exhaust systems, giving them the ability to identify issues quickly and repair them efficiently. They’ll know whether it makes more sense financially to patch a hole, replace a section of pipe, or replace the entire component, and will happily explain the rationale to drivers. In most cases, it makes little sense to repair a very old or significantly damaged exhaust component when replacing it will provide a long-term solution.
