4 SIGNS YOUR EXHAUST FLEX PIPE IS LEAKING OR BREAKING DOWN
It is well known that the exhaust pipe of an automobile emits exhaust gas, but the role of an automobile exhaust pipe is far more than simply “emitting gas”. The role of automobile exhaust pipes is very large, which closely affects our lives.
Car exhaust pipe function
Exhaust waste gas
The exhaust gas generated by the engine is discharged out of the car, and the oxygen content in the exhaust gas is detected at the same time, which is converted into an electronic signal and fed back to the computer for reference of the fuel injection amount correction. The content of oxygen in the exhaust gas is detected. It is mainly set to achieve fuel economy, power, and more environmentally friendly emissions.
Purify harmful gases
Here I will introduce you to one of the important parts of the car-three-way catalyst. Three-way catalysts refer to carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides. The three-way catalyst has a carrier and a catalyst. Through the oxidation-reduction chemical reaction, the harmful gases carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides discharged from the exhaust pipe are converted into water, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. This is why water comes out of the exhaust pipe.
Mute the noise
Noise is produced when the car emits exhaust gas. However, the country has certain standards for this noise. How to achieve the effect of noise reduction? At this time, it is necessary to allow the exhaust gas to travel in the path of layer-by-layer blocking and swirling, to cancel out the exhaust shock waves that generate noise, and then let the exhaust gas be discharged from the exhaust pipe.
Due to the high-temperature oxidation of the engine exhaust gas, the pipes and interfaces of the exhaust system (especially the muffler, etc.) are easily corroded, and the interface pads are easily damaged. When a leak occurs in the exhaust system, the noise of the engine exhaust increases, and exhaust emissions are likely to exceed standards. Therefore, the leakage of the exhaust system should be checked during maintenance, and the leaked components should be repaired or replaced in time if a leak is found.
What are the signs of an exhaust leak?
The noise is loud. This is the first sign of an exhaust leak. If the exhaust pipe is cracked, it will cause the engine to make a lot of noise. As you accelerate your car, the sound of the exhaust pipe will grow louder.
Foul smell. If you smell the gasoline while the car is driving, it is likely that the exhaust pipe is leaking. When the exhaust pipe leaks, the smell of gasoline in the air can enter the car.
The efficiency of the engine becomes low. During the acceleration of the car, the decrease in the performance of the car engine or fuel efficiency is a sign of exhaust leakage.
The exhaust pipe is hanging. If the exhaust pipe is suspended, there will be problems with the exhaust.
What is the effect of leaking exhaust pipe?
It depends on the position of the exhaust pipe. If it leaks in the tail section, it has no effect. If it leaks in the front section, it will cause the exhaust gas back pressure to decrease, the torque will decrease at low speed, the starting will be weak, and the fuel consumption will increase indirectly. However, at higher speeds, power is increased because the exhaust is smoother. Exhaust pipe leakage has a greater impact on supercharged models and less on naturally aspirated engines.
If only a small hole appears in the exhaust pipe, it will not cause a serious increase in vehicle fuel consumption. In theory, if the exhaust pipe is completely removed, the exhaust resistance completely disappears, which will cause the engine power to increase and the fuel consumption to increase. The exhaust pipe of racing cars (including motorcycles) does not have a muffler, which is to reduce the exhaust resistance, but the noise is huge.
Check the exhaust pipe. If you can’t easily identify a leak in the exhaust pipe, use the vantage point you get on the top of the vehicle to visually inspect the pipes and muffler. Look for signs of damage that may indicate such a deep rust, crack, scratch, or hole in the leak.
