Keep Your Car Quiet With Professional Exhaust Repairs

No one likes waking up to someone’s roaring exhaust driving past their home. Although some drivers augment their vehicle precisely to be loud, a loud exhaust usually signals a problem. In this blog post, we’ll review problems that can turn up the volume on your exhaust and how repairs help turn that volume back down. 

Why Does Your Car Need an Exhaust System? 

Your vehicle’s exhaust system performs three important functions. 

First it moves exhaust gas from the engine to the outside air. These gases are produced by the engine and must be expelled so the engine can run. 

Second, the exhaust system reduces noise produced by the gases. Think of filling a balloon full of air and then leaving the opening untied. As the balloon flies around the room, you can hear the air escape. The exhaust gases your engine produce create a similar—but much louder—sound. 

Third, the exhaust system ensures heat from the system doesn’t reach the passenger cabin. The exhaust system components can reach as high as 817 ˚C, so protection from heat is a must! 

Although some vehicles have a dual exhaust system, most vehicles have a single exhaust system, so we’ll focus on it for this blog post. 

Components of an Exhaust System 

Your vehicle’s exhaust system comprises the following main components: 

• Exhaust manifolds: Exhaust gases from the engine first pass through these components on their way through the exhaust system. The gentle curves in their manufacturing improve gas flow. 
• Exhaust pipes: These connect the components of the exhaust system. Any pipe in the system except the tailpipe is an exhaust pipe. 
• Catalytic converter: Found in all modern vehicles, this component cleans the exhaust gases before they travel through the muffler. 
• Muffler: As its name suggests, the muffler further reduces the noise produced by exhaust gases. 
• Resonator: Also designed to reduce noise in the engine, resonators are generally only found on higher-end vehicles. Think of them as “mini mufflers.” One is usually installed at the end of the exhaust system but before the tailpipe to reduce any residual sound as much as possible. 
• Hangers: Also appropriately named, these components hang the exhaust system up from the vehicle’s undercarriage. This gives the system’s components room to expand and contract. 
• Heat shields: Because the exhaust system must be hung close to the vehicle’s body for clearance, heat shielding is installed to protect the vehicle. More shielding is added under the catalytic converter, because it produces enough heat to set dried grass and other flammable materials on fire. 

Without a functioning exhaust system, your car would extremely unsafe to operate, if you could operate it at all. Apart from the extremely high temperatures the components can reach, a damaged exhaust system can release toxic fumes. 

So, when it starts sounding louder than normal, have it inspected. We’ll now explain why. 

A Word About Mufflers 

Mufflers reduce the most sound from the expelled exhaust fumes. Your vehicle will have one of two types: 

• Reverse-flow mufflers have muffler chambers, which reverse the flow of gases. Through this reversal process, noise is reduced. 
• Straight-through mufflers comprise a perforated tube insulated in either fibreglass packing or steel wool, which absorb the noise. 

Why Your Exhaust System Can Sound Loud 

Because one of the main purposes of an exhaust system is to drastically dampen the noise of the exhaust gases, many of the problems with an exhaust system may begin by simply raising the volume. 

Exhaust pipes connect the manifolds, catalytic converter, muffler, and resonator. They are double-walled, which assists in reducing even more sound. A rumbling noise coming from your exhaust system can indicate a problem with your exhaust pipes. 

The catalytic converter can sound like a pair of metal maracas when it’s malfunctioning. Because this component helps clean the toxic gases emanating from the engine, damage here requires immediate attention. 

Vibrations from the exhaust system can signal damage to almost any part. 

If your muffler is damaged, you’ll hear the very loud, rumbling version of air escaping a balloon’s opening. 

The Importance of Professional Exhaust Repairs 

Unlike flat tires, damage to your exhaust system isn’t always immediately visible. When you get your oil changed, ask your mechanic to take a look underneath. If you hear any noise coming from your exhaust system, though, have the system inspected right away. The exhaust system can reach 817 ˚C. These aren’t repairs you want to delay. 

Furthermore, because the exhaust system heats up so quickly and can emit dangerous gases, a professional mechanic will take the appropriate precautions to protect themselves as they inspect and repair your system. Whereas many drivers can with the proper instructions change tires, repairing your vehicle’s exhaust system requires much more expertise, professional tools, and personal protective equipment. 

To have your exhaust system inspected or repaired, visit you nearest NAPA AUTOPRO service centre. Our friendly technicians will be more than happy to help you.