If there are any faults with your exhausts system, it can affect vehicle performance, have a greater environmental impact as well as a poor fuel economy. Fixing a problem with your exhaust when it first appears is much less expensive than waiting for the broken exhaust to cause further problems elsewhere in the engine. For this reason, it’s important to keep an eye on the tell tale symptoms of exhaust malfunction.
Engine noise
Potentially the easiest sign to spot which will tell you that the exhaust needs attention, is a loud rumbling noise coming from the engine. If you notice that your engine noise has changed considerably, this is usually a clear sign of an internal problem.
If you’re unsure whether or not your engine has in fact gotten louder, a simple way of measuring this is to check the radio settings. If you find that you have to consistently listen to your car’s stereo at a louder volume than before, it could mean that the volume of your engine has increased due to a problem with the exhaust.
If you notice any changes to the sound of your car’s engine, you should take your vehicle in to be looked at by a professional as soon as possible.
Leaks
Peculiar vibrations coming from the acceleration pedal or steering wheel are a clear sign of an exhaust leak. You may also feel the whole vehicle judder if the exhaust leak is large. These vibrations are a safety issue, because they can alter your ability to control the vehicle with as much precision. Look out for pools of fluid underneath your vehicle and take it in to be seen by a professional as soon as you can.
Rattling noise
If you hear a constant rattling coming from the exhaust area of your vehicle when the engine is running, this could be an interpretation that your catalytic converter is loose or faulty. The catalytic converter is one of the most expensive components of the exhaust system. If you hear the rattling then the part is definitely still in position, but it will need replacing promptly.
Lower fuel efficiency
Lower fuel efficiency can mean a lot of things, but an exhaust leak is one of the more common reasons you may be spending more time at the petrol station. If there is an exhaust leak it may result in the fumes not being carried away properly, leaving your engine operating at a hotter temperature and reducing your fuel efficiency. If you notice a drop in your miles per gallon (MPG), take your vehicle in to be examined by a professional as quickly as possible.
Visual checks
Some problems are fairly simple to spot by taking a look at your vehicle’s exhaust pipe. If you notice that your exhaust has become heavily rusted, there are simple procedures to follow to try and clean the majority of the rust. If you observe that there is a hole in the exhaust or the pipe has split, you should take your vehicle into a garage to be repaired before the situation escalates into a more serious problem.
Here at Lindleys Autocentres we offer free, no obligation exhaust checks. Our expert mechanics have many years of experience and offer a totally transparent service. You will be invited into the workshop and we will explain what the problem is as well as how to rectify it.
If you choose to get your exhaust repaired or replaced with us, we have a large variety of exhausts in stock – and if we don’t have the exact part you need we aim to have it delivered within an hour. We offer a fit while you wait or collect later service – whichever suits you best. All of our exhaust systems are fully guaranteed.