Your car’s exhaust system is probably something you don’t think about when it’s working properly. In fact, you might barely even notice that it’s there. Your exhaust system helps your engine run smoothly, maintains optimal fuel efficiency, and regulates the emissions produced by the engine. Troubleshooting car exhaust problems is important so that you can know when it’s time to make repairs.

Troubleshooting Car Exhaust Problems

The exhaust system is comprised of connected piping that filters exhaust and emissions produced by the engine away from the vehicle’s cabin. This ensures that passengers aren’t inhaling harmful carbon monoxide. The exhaust also helps optimize your vehicle’s fuel economy and performance.

Considering that this particular system does so much work, there are a few things that could go wrong. Here are the main symptoms of car exhaust problems.

Noise, Noise, Noise

The exhaust system filters emissions that are produced by the engine, but it also helps dampen the noise produced by the engine itself. If your engine is making a considerable amount of noise, or if your muffler doesn’t seem to be dampening noise like it used to, your exhaust system may be suspect.

Noise can also result from a tailpipe that is loose or, worse, dragging on the ground behind the vehicle. It’s important to get a loose muffler and tailpipe repaired as quickly as possible.

Vibrations

Your exhaust system can leak, leading to strange vibrations in your accelerator or brake pedal, your steering wheel, or even your car seat. Left unchecked, leaking exhaust systems can decrease your fuel efficiency, increase the strain on your engine, and cause major damage resulting in expensive repairs.

On top of that, various engine parts can become loose, which usually means that parts are touching that shouldn’t be. This, too, can lead to long-term damage because the friction can gradually wear parts down.

If you notice vibrations in your vehicle that weren’t there when you bought the car, you may want to have your car inspected.

Strange Smells

When working properly, your exhaust system should prevent against a noticeable amount of exhaust smells.

If you notice strange smells such as smoke, burning oil, or Sulphur, it’s important to have your vehicle checked immediately. This could be a sign of a major malfunction.

Rust and External Damage

The exhaust system is constantly exposed to the road, making it vulnerable to external damage from rain, snow, potholes, debris, and salt corrosion. Unless you happen to have a car lift in your garage, it’s not always easy to detect when damage has happened to the bottom of your vehicle.

The surest sign of external damage to the exhaust system is rust. You’ll usually see rust forming on or around the tailpipe, which is usually a sign that there’s more damage beneath the vehicle. A muffler that has rust spots or a considerable amount of rust damage should be replaced before it causes larger problems in the exhaust system.

T3 Atlanta

Many of the signs of exhaust problems overlap with other possible engine issues. If you notice anything out of the ordinary with the way your car acts, feels, or sounds, you may want to consider making an appointment with T3 Atlanta. We are Atlanta-area experts at repairing Lexus, Toyota, Infiniti, and Nissan cars. With two convenient locations in Smyrna and Decatur, we can help you get back on the road promptly.