Tuesday, October 29, 2013
What Does an Exhaust Leak Affect
An exhaust leak can negatively effect the performance and efficiency of your vehicle, as well as lead to safety hazards for the driver and passengers. For this reason, you should diagnose and repair the exhaust system immediately when you experience symptoms of an exhaust leak. To eliminate leaks, the exhaust system must be free of piping damage, and all of the exhaust flange bolts must be extremely tight.
Safety Hazards
Exhaust gasses contain carbon monoxide and other chemicals that are hazardous to human health. The exhaust system is designed to expel these gasses out the rear of the vehicle while reducing noise. If an exhaust leak occurs somewhere along the exhaust system, the gasses can seep into the interior vehicle cabin. This can be hazardous, or even fatal to vehicle passengers due to the buildup of carbon monoxide.
Performance Issues
The exhaust system piping is designed to optimize volumetric efficiency for the engine. Since the expulsion of exhaust gasses is necessary with every combustion cycle, the exhaust system must allow for an unrestricted flow of gasses for maximum engine efficiency. An exhaust leak creates air turbulence in the exhaust piping, and also throws off the volumetric tuning of the exhaust system. Both of these effects lead to diminished engine performance, both in horsepower production and fuel efficiency.
Exhaust Noise
A leak creates excess exhaust noise due to the escaping gasses. This tends to create an air hissing noise audible when in close proximity to the leak location. Additionally, you may experience excess engine noise and/or popping sounds originating from the exhaust leak. While excess noise is undesirable, it has the positive effect of allowing you to easily locate and diagnose exhaust leaks.
Checking for Exhaust Leaks
Exhaust leaks caused by large cracks, rusting and other extensive damage can be diagnosed by visually inspecting the exhaust piping and connections. When checking the exhaust, pay especially close attention to the welding, as these are the most likely locations to crack due to stress and heat. Also, ensure the exhaust hangers are all securely connected to the underside of the vehicle, as loose hangers may allow the exhaust to rattle against the chassis, leading to further damage. Finally, check that the flange bolts securing each piping segment are extremely tight. If you still experience exhaust leaks after inspecting the exhaust system and bolts, replace the exhaust gaskets located at each flange connection.
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