Parts of the Exhaust System

Your vehicle’s exhaust system is designed to direct harmful gases away from passengers, control the delivery of hot exhaust, reduce the emissions the vehicle releases into the environment, and significantly reduce the amount of noise the vehicle makes. Exhaust systems are typically made up of three components:

Exhaust Manifold

The exhaust manifold is a part of the exhaust system that attaches directly to the vehicle’s engine block, which contains the cylinders and cylinder head. This creates the combustion chamber where fuel and oxygen are burned. The toxic gases are filtered through the exhaust manifold’s pipes, usually made of cast iron, aluminum, or stainless steel. It also burns any leftover fuel it is was not burned by the engine. There is usually an oxygen sensor inside or near the exhaust manifold, which reads the oxygen levels of the exiting gases and reports them to the vehicle’s computer system. The computer helps regulate how much feel is needed for the engine to run at top capacity.

Catalytic Converter

Excess gases make their way into the catalytic converter after they exit the exhaust manifold. The catalytic converter reduces toxic byproducts that result from a vehicle’s exhaust by filtering them through precious metals and chemicals inside the converter. 

Muffler

The muffler’s main function is to silence the combustion noises that arise from the engine of a vehicle. Inside a muffler, there is a perforator and resonator chamber, which use a specific volume of air and a specific length to evaporate sound waves produced in the engine. The muffler also releases toxic gases.

Your Exhaust System

It is very important to take care of your exhaust system, as they are made to protect you and keep your vehicle working efficiently. If you smell any strange gases, your exhaust system may be malfunctioning. Hissing or cracking sounds might signify a leak or a muffler than needs replacing. If your engine overheats quickly, there may be a cracked cylinder head. If you live in an area with salt or snow on the roads, rinse the underside of your vehicle every few months. Be careful not to use too much water, as this could lead to rust.

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.