May 24, 2020

CAN I DRIVE WITH A BROKEN EXHAUST?

Because car exhausts are underneath, they can wear faster than any other component if left unchecked. For most of us, exhausts are the easiest part of the car to ignore because we don’t see them every day when we’re driving to work or popping to the shop. Getting down on the floor to have a nosey at the exhaust isn’t something most drivers have time to do on a regular basis, and let’s face it, most of us have bigger things to worry about!

However, ignore your car’s exhaust for too long, and trouble will start brewing. Here, we look at some of the consequences of a faulty exhaust system.

The Potential Problems of a Broken Exhaust

MOT Failure

The most obvious (and annoying) problem of a broken exhaust is your car failing its MOT, and recent research shows that around 7% of MOT test failures are as a result of a faulty exhaust.

Common car exhaust faults which can lead to MOT failure include advanced corrosion, particularly when a leak has developed; missing silencer baffles, which are used to reduce engine noise; and loose exhaust mounts, where the rubber fastenings are missing or shot.

The problem is, it can be very difficult to properly check the condition of your car exhaust in the driveway prior to a MOT test. That’s why it’s important to be aware of any unusual noises as you’re driving around, as this could mean your exhaust has a hole or leak you just can’t see.

Reduced Fuel Economy and Higher Emissions

Car exhausts are designed to channel fumes away from the front of the car and reduce engine noise, whilst maintaining fuel efficiency. If your car’s exhaust has a leak, this will have an impact on the pressure in the exhaust system, reducing fuel economy and leading to higher emissions.

Car exhausts produce six gases, three of which are toxic (carbon monoxide, nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen oxide). The system is supposed to channel these fumes away and reduce the number of harmful particles emitted from the tailpipe, so your car can run more cleanly.

If a leak develops in the car exhaust close to the engine, this can have a big impact on fuel economy, and could lead to fuel wastage. So, while you might think that avoiding getting a leaky exhaust fixed is saving you money, in the long term it could cost you more due to poor fuel economy.

Damage to Other Car Parts

Over time, the fumes leaking from a cracked car exhaust pipe will damage surrounding components, and could even cause a fire. When they first come out of the engine, exhaust fumes are extremely hot, but cool gradually as they reach the tailpipe at the back of the vehicle. If there’s a hole in the exhaust close to the engine, these hot gases can leak out and blow straight at other components — causing heat damage and increasing the risk of fire.

Noxious Fumes Can Enter the Cabin

One of the most serious consequences of a leaking car exhaust system is the fact that poisonous gases could find their way into the cabin — which certainly isn’t good news for those travelling inside!

If noxious fumes like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide seep up through the floor or enter through the air vents, they could cause illness or, in rare instances, even death for the driver and passengers.

The scary thing is, harmful car exhaust fumes are odourless and colourless, so you won’t know they’re in the air until you start suffering some of the effects. Mild exposure to exhaust fumes can cause headaches, dizziness and fatigue, which could prove dangerous when you’re at the wheel. And, in extreme circumstances, prolonged exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide can cause death — making it vital that leaks are dealt with quickly.

Increased Repair Bills

The simple fact is, if you don’t deal with a broken and leaky car exhaust system quickly, it will end up costing you more to repair in the long term.