Chances are you’ve heard a car drive by that sounds like it needs a new muffler, but what a lot of people don’t know is that there’s more to your exhaust system than just the muffler.
Your exhaust system has three main functions. 1) To safely release hot exhaust gas from the engine and out the tailpipe. 2) To treat the exhaust and remove any harmful pollutants. 3) To muffle your engines noise.
Unfiltered exhaust gas is poisonous. You definitely don’t want any getting inside the passenger compartment. One of the toxic chemicals produced is Carbon Monoxide, which can be deadly. This is the reason you should never run your engine in a closed garage. If you have a leak somewhere in your exhaust system, exhaust could seep into the passenger cabin and make you sick or even kill you.
If you smell exhaust inside your vehicle, roll down your windows and have your vehicle checked out as soon as possible. You may see or smell exhaust coming from the engine compartment or under your vehicle if there’s a leak. When you have an engine leak, sometimes you can hear it. The noise may be loud and obvious or just a small ticking sound that goes away when you start driving. Sometimes you can get small cracks or a bad fitting that leaks when it’s cold but seals up when the metal heats and expands.
In addition to possibly making you sick, an engine leak is very bad for the environment. Exhaust contains multiple pollutants. The catalytic converter scrubs some of those harmful substances, and diesel vehicles have systems to process soot. Catalytic converters will eventually wear out over time and need to be replaced. They are expensive to replace, so it’s best to keep them well maintained so they last as long as possible. You can help prolong the life of your Catalytic Converter by keeping the fuel system clean and replacing your air filter. If you’re noticing any of these symptoms, give us a call.
Safe driving from us here at Eureka Brake & Automotive!
(707) 443-2122 www.eurekabrake.com
Revised from content contributed by NAPA Service Assistant