The exhaust system of an automobile is responsible for the removal of combustion byproducts within your internal combustion engine as it turns fuel into energy that makes your car move.
It vents out those waste products through the exhaust pipe safely without letting it end up anywhere near the driver and his or her passengers. However, any number of things can happen to the system.
From clogging to leaks that can poison the people inside as well as the mount being undone, these lead to rattling and potential damage down the line. If there's noise in your car from the system, it should be dealt with post-haste by giving it a more stable housing and frame.
Exhaust System Repair or Replacement?
- A Professional Checkup: Like in the case of doctors and hospitals when your own health has gone awry, you need to take your vehicle to your nearest dealership or independent repair shop as soon as you hear funny noises and excessive rattling from your vehicle. This goes double for you if there's an actual error code or two on your car computer console as well as the check engine light. It's best to let the professionals narrow down by the process of elimination what's wrong with your exhaust system.
- Mount Kits for Mount Reinforcement: If your exhaust system merely has issues with its mounting because its factory mounts have given in after much time and mileage has passed, then you can buy a mount kit in order to easily install or reinforce the mount of your exhaust system by yourself or with the help of your mechanic. However, when buying one, it's important to remember that more isn't necessarily better. A cheaper package with fewer items might suffice to get a cost-effective solution to exhaust noise.
- More Serious Problems: If it's not the mount, then something might be wrong with your exhaust system parts instead. Your mechanic should be able to inspect visually and by teardown (that is, by uninstalling car parts to see which ones are damaged) in order to narrow down what's wrong with your exhaust. They can specifically do an exhaust color diagnosis, wherein blue or gray smoke indicates an oil leak into the combustion system, black smoke indicates a rich fuel condition from fuel leakage, and excessive white smoke indicates a coolant leakage.
- Exhaust Parts That Might Need Replacement: Your mechanic will probably have you buy new valve seals, valve guides, piston rings, PVC system, or cylinder wall sealants or replacements if you're dealing with an oil leakage. As for fuel leakages or a rich fuel condition, you might have to fix or replace your fuel injectors, fuel pressure regulator, or fuel return line. Finally, if your coolant is somehow ending up in your exhaust system, there might be a need to repair or buy a new cylinder head, head gasket, or engine block.