All the components of a vehicle are important for performing their specific functions. For the vehicle to deliver excellent performance, all the parts and systems should be healthy and free from damages. Any issue with a single component can cause problems and degrade the vehicle’s performance. One such component is the exhaust system. It takes care of removing the harmful gases from the engine compartment and releasing it into the atmosphere via the exhaust pipe.
What is an Exhaust system?
We all know that the vehicles emit harmful gases during the combustion of fuel. The Exhaust system directs these gases outside, so the passengers do not come in contact with them. The aim of the system is to reduce the toxicity of these gases and get rid of them through the exhaust pipe.
How does an Exhaust system work?
To understand how the exhaust system works, one must know about the different parts of an Exhaust system.
Exhaust manifold: The manifold is made of steel, iron, aluminium, or stainless steel and is attached to the cylinder head.
Oxygen sensor: The aim of this sensor is to calculate the amount of oxygen left in the exhaust. According to this, the sensor adds or subtracts the fuel to obtain the appropriate amount.
Catalytic converter: This part of the exhaust system performs the crucial function of converting carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons to water vapours and carbon dioxide. Harmful nitrogen oxides are also reduced by some converters.
Exhaust pipe: The exhaust pipe is normally made of tough steel. It directs all the harmful gases towards the pipeline and moves them out of your vehicle.
Car Exhaust damages
The most common damage occurs when the Exhaust Repair Finchley system starts to leak gases inside the vehicle. This poses a health risk as the gases are a threat to the lungs and can be toxic when inhaled for a long time. It should be understood that the gases formed during the combustion of fuel are toxic to humans and the environment.
Another issue with the Exhaust system occurs in the form of corrosion. When moisture reacts with the steel or metal surface of your car’s exhaust pipe, corrosion occurs. This damages the system and leads to leakage.
Sometimes the water converts into moisture which stays on the steel surface for a long time. This causes reactions, and a layer of rust develops on the system.
Another problem comes in the form of decreased gas mileage. As your exhaust system gets old, the oxygen sensor wears out and does not perform well. This usually leads to your vehicle consuming more fuel than required.
It is recommended that you change the oxygen sensor every 60,000 miles to prevent such problems.
Another issue can arise when the Catalytic converter becomes clogged. In such cases, it should be replaced immediately. The symptoms include:
- Excessive heat comes from the car’s floor
- Loss of power
- Smell of Sulfur
Once you know what the problem is with the Exhaust system, you can get it replaced or repaired easily. It is advised that you never drive a car with a damaged exhaust system because the gases emitted are harmful.