The overall performance of your vehicle all depends on the exhaust system. It is made of many parts, but only functions properly when they all work together without fail. Here are some common exhaust system problems that you may experience during the life of your vehicle:
Exhaust Leaks
If you drive on bumpy, rough roads often, your exhaust system may have a shorter life than was expected. Bumps, holes, and shaking that you may come across while driving can cause weak areas to crack, leaking poisonous fumes into the passenger cabin.
Vibrations
If you feel vibrations in your steering wheel or gas pedal, your exhaust system is in need of repair. Your whole car may even be shaking. This can be very dangerous as the vibrations can alter your ability to control your vehicle with precision.
Faulty Oxygen Sensor
If your oxygen sensor becomes faulty, the engine’s computer can not create the correctly balanced air-fuel mixture, which can lead to a mixture low on air and high on gas. This creates a blend that is hotter than intended and may cause a clog in your catalytic converter.
Engine Noise
If you notice an increase in engine noise, this is usually the first sign of an exhaust leak. If the leak is in your system’s manifold, your engine’s volume will increase and toxic fumes may enter the passenger cabin. This is an issue that must be repaired immediately.
Exhaust Smoke
Did you know that different colors of smoke have different meanings? Blue/gray exhaust smoke is indicative of oil burning in the combustion chamber, which may be caused by valve seals, valve guides, piston rigs, worn cylinder walls, or the PCV system. Black smoke is a sign of a rich fuel condition, which could be caused by fuel injectors, fuel pressure regulator, and the fuel return line. White/gray smoke means that you may have coolant burning in the combustion chamber. Either your cylinder head, engine block, or head gasket are damaged.
Broken Hangers
Hangers are meant to protect your exhaust system from banging when you hit a bump. If a hanger breaks off, the exhaust pipes have free range, which may lead to dents, cracks, or even entire pieces of the exhaust system breaking off.
Hurricane Automotive
At Hurricane Automotive, our mission is to supply you with top-quality catalytic converters and performance exhaust products for your vehicle from brand names that you can trust. Since the company was founded, we have shipped thousands of catalytic converters and performance exhaust products to satisfied customers throughout the country. Learn more and browse our online inventory today, or give us a call at (833) 599-1700.