The signs and dangers of a faulty exhaust

Strange noises are signs of exhaust system failure. If you start to hear a deep or loud rumbling sound coming from your car then this is a sign that something is going wrong with your car's exhaust.

You should take your car to a technician and get this sorted as soon as possible.

It suggests that there could be exhaust problems such as an exhaust leak or a problem with parts such as the catalytic converter, which is necessary for reducing your car's impact on the environment and for keeping fumes out of the cabin.

Strange noises from your car exhaust can also be a sign that there is a hole in the exhaust.

As well as being a safety element to getting this issue fixed, the longer you leave and exhaust issue, then the more damage is likely to be done and the more it will cost to fix.

Is it a roaring noise?

Roaring noises from your exhaust are also a sign of things going wrong and chances are the noise is a car sound silencer problem.

The silencer is the component of the exhaust system most likely to be corroded by acid as it is the part furthest from the engine, Therefore, it stays relatively cold, allowing gases to condense and form a pool of corrosive acid.so is likely to be the first bit of your exhaust to go when roaring sounds are present.

Can you hear hissing noises?

Hissing noises are a sign of an exhaust leak. Such noises from your exhaust suggest that there is a crack in the exhaust pipe, exhaust manifold or that there is a leaking gasket.

Chugging noises?

Chugging noises are also a sign of exhaust problems.

In this case it could be a blockage in the exhaust system.

Rattling noises?

A loose exhaust symptom, you may hear a rattling sound under your car if your exhaust has become misaligned.
 

Is a rattling exhaust dangerous?

If you experience loose exhaust pipe symptoms such as rattling, it is important to get the issue solved quickly. Leaving issues with your exhaust system could cause further damage to your vehicle, and exhaust issues also present a. possibility of pollutants generated from burning petrol entering the vehicle cabin. 

A loud metallic vibration?

The sound of a loud metallic vibration or exhaust rattle can be a sign that there is something touching the exhaust pipe that shouldn't be.

Such sounds can also be loose exhaust symptoms, where a clamp, support bracket or mounting has got loose.

Exhaust noises related to the catalytic converter

If your catalytic converter is going wrong then you will hear what sounds like a shaking box of rocks when your vehicle is stopped in traffic.

Catalytic converters are also popular with scrap metal thieves, particularly on larger vehicles such as SUVs. 

If yours gets stolen then you will hear a loud exhaust noise on start up.

Faulty exhaust: Locating the issue

Working out where the sounds are coming from on your car can help to pinpoint the exhaust issue.

Loud exhaust noise from front of car

Exhaust sounds coming from the engine area could mean you have a bad gasket or loose flexible pipe connection, or a more a serious issue such as a cracked exhaust manifold.

Exhaust noises from under the centre of the car

Noises underneath the vehicle near the centre section of the exhaust could be related to a loose connection or a hole in your exhaust.

It could also mean you have an issue with your catalytic convertor, which would be more expensive to repair. 

Exhaust noise at the Rear of the Vehicle

If your exhaust sound is at the back of the vehicle, this is likely to be related to the muffler (silencer) or a hole in an exhaust system pipe.

Changed performance

Another sign that your catalytic converter has gone is if you notice a difference in your vehicle's performance on start up.

If you find that your car is suffering a loss of power then this may be a sign that your exhaust is leaking.

If there is an exhaust leak, you may feel vibrations

You may notice unusual vibrations when you touch your steering wheel, foot pedals or car seat when you have an exhaust leak.

It could also be a sign of a hole in your exhaust or that the exhaust system is disconnected.

What's more, vibrations could be a sign of a problem with your engine and suggest that it is no longer running at optimum performance.

Lower fuel efficiency 

Your fuel gauge - and how quickly it goes down - could be a good indicator of the condition that your exhaust is in.

Filling up more?

If you find that you need to fill up on petrol or diesel more often than usual then this could be a sign that there is a problem with your exhaust, or certainly some kind of issue with your car. 

Exhaust leaks mean that your engine needs to work harder and this will then mean that you need to use more fuel.

Should your car suffer a mechanical failure Start Rescue have you covered with affordable and reliable breakdown cover.