Should you clean your exhaust?

Over time, exhaust manifolds get covered with carbon buildup, soot, grease and rust. When this happens the manifold loses efficiency and affects the overall performance of the vehicle. Your exhaust manifold should be cleaned every now and then, here is our how-to-guide on cleaning your car's exhaust manifold.

What can damage your exhaust system?

If you hit a speed bump or drive a piece of road debris too quickly, you can damage your exhaust pipe. If somebody hits you from behind, this can also damage the pipe.

What does a blocked exhaust sound like?

If you have a faulty exhaust manifold gasket, it will cause an exhaust leak that sounds like a hissing or tapping sound. The sound is especially loud during a cold start or when you accelerate the vehicle.

How long do exhaust systems last?

Determining the Lifespan of the Exhaust System

As a rough rule of thumb, however, a typical life expectancy of a premium aftermarket exhaust system should be in the neighborhood of two to three years depending on driving habits and the previously mentioned factors. Read on to learn why the exhaust system can wear out.

What are the most common exhaust system problems?

In this blog, our expert technicians at Christian Brothers Automotive discuss the most common exhaust system problems, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, exhaust leaks, exhaust smoke, rust, broken hangers, vibrations, and increased engine noise, as well as what you can do about them, and how you can prevent them from ...

Revealed: The Easy Trick to Make Your Exhaust Tips Shiny

Why does my muffler sound loud?

A muffler that is suddenly noisy is often caused by the driver hitting something while on the road, damaging the exhaust system. Rust can also be a culprit of holes in the muffler, resulting in a noisy muffler which gets progressively worse as the holes get bigger.

Does exhaust affect gas mileage?

The best way to explain fuel efficiency is by giving an example. The math is rather straightforward. A typical exhaust improves a vehicle's power output by 2 to 5%. Let us say your vehicle get roughly 16 miles per gallon and by adding a new exhaust system sees a gain in fuel economy of approximately 3%.

Why are my exhaust tips black?

If you consistently drive short trips, where the engine doesn't have a chance to warm up completely, or if this is a condition during winter weather when the engine intentionally runs with a richer fuel mixture, some black soot will accumulate on the tailpipe.

What happens if water gets in your exhaust pipe?

If your exhaust pipe is submerged, the exhaust gases flowing out will stop water running along it towards the engine. If you go too fast, your bow wave will come back at you, eventually flooding the engine.

Does WD40 clean exhaust tips?

Yes, WD40 can clean exhaust tips. To clean your exhaust tips with WD40, first, make sure the area around the exhaust tip is clear of any debris. Next, spray the WD40 onto a clean cloth and wipe down the surface of the exhaust tip. Finally, use a toothbrush to scrub any stubborn dirt or grime off of the exhaust tip.

Why does my car sound like a race car when I accelerate?

If you notice any rattling or whining sounds while you are accelerating, this could mean that your camshaft (timing) belt is poorly aligned or slipping. The timing belt synchronizes the turning of the crankshaft so that the engine's valves open and close at the proper time.

Why is my car louder than normal?

If there is an uneven air-fuel ration in the cylinder, combustion can occur at higher or lower rates than normal. Higher pressure in the cylinder can cause the engine to sound louder than usual or even produce a knocking sound. Not attending to this issue can lead to engine damage.

Why does my car get louder when I accelerate?

If your car is loud when accelerating, chances are, there is an issue with the belt, the oil level, bearings, or another component. As a rule of thumb, you should be mildly alarmed any time you experience any weird smells or noises coming from your car that might be indicative of a serious problem(s).

How do I know if my exhaust needs replacing?

Sight. Taking a look at your exhaust is another way to see if it needs replacing. Your muffler, tail pipe and entire exhaust system will show visible signs that it needs to be changed. If you see black spots, these are caused by carbon deposits as a result of leaks.

How much does a new exhaust cost?

Custom exhaust systems are designed to replace the factory-issued components of your car. Depending on the desired result, you can expect to spend anywhere between $500 to $2,000. The price depends on the make and model of your vehicle and how many pieces of the exhaust system you want to change.

Does changing exhaust affect engine?

Installing a full exhaust that flows well can also decrease engine load when expelling gases, which may increase efficiency. This option can bring noticeable performance gains, but it can also be significantly more complex.

Do mufflers get clogged?

A muffler can become obstructed due to impact damage that causes its walls to collapse. Also, a muffler can become clogged if its internal baffles come apart or the catalytic converter (located upstream from the muffler) disintegrates and contaminates the exhaust system.

How often should your exhaust system be checked?

There are many factors such as climate and driving conditions that can affect the life of your exhaust system. Typically, a normal exhaust system will last anywhere from two to three years. However, it is important to check your exhaust system periodically for any damage.

Are aftermarket exhausts worth it?

By improving the airflow through the system and decreasing back pressure, aftermarket exhausts reduce the energy wasted in the system having to overcome these pressure problems. This leads to better fuel efficiency. Better sound: Aftermarket mufflers can significantly louden the sound of your engine.